Scams & Fraud

Kate Kleinert, a widow living near Philadelphia, exercised caution with Facebook friend requests from people she didn’t know. Then she accepted a stranger’s request, and her life changed forever.

Financial fraud, identity theft, romance scams, check washing, tech support, and social media. These were some of the topics addressed recently by a panel of professionals at the 6th Annual Scam Jam, a joint effort by AARP Virginia and Fairfax County Government’s Silver Shield Task Force.

Paul Greenwood served as San Diego’s deputy district attorney for 22 years, working mostly on caregiver abuse issues. He now serves as a champion against elder abuse.

De costa a costa, AARP está trabajando para difundir información y conocimientos sobre estafas peligrosas, pero a veces la educación por sí sola no es suficiente. Es por eso que estamos trabajando en docenas de estados para mejorar las protecciones contra el fraude y ayudar a las personas a conservar su dinero y aumentar el castigo a los delincuentes. Un problema contra el que AARP está luchando en varias legislaturas estatales es el de las estafas en los anuncios inmobiliarios residenciales.

Join us at 11 a.m. on June 16, as we launch PROTECT Week 2025

Check out your neighborhood's fraud and scam prevention events from June 16-20, 2025!

The May 22 call will be with online romance scam survivor, Kate Kleinert, who will tell her story about getting victimized by an online scammer. You’ll have a chance to ask questions and share your stories.

Spring and summer months are often an ideal time to engage in projects around the house. The ElderWatch helpline receives many complaints about projects having to do with home repairs, remodel jobs and yard work. The following are some tips for hiring a contractor, handyperson or help with your yard:

Learn how to spot, stop, and report elder financial abuse. PROTECT Week, Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, 2025, is the perfect time to remember that seniors are vulnerable to financial abuse by loved ones and strangers. Beginning Monday, June 16, we will be streaming a series of FREE workshops, webinars, interviews, and tele-town halls with leading experts on elder financial abuse on our Facebook and YouTube channels.

El año escolar está por terminar y el verano se acerca rápidamente, lo que significa que empieza la temporada de mudanzas. Pero, tanto si te mudas por tu trabajo, a una vivienda más pequeña o si organizas el traslado de un hijo a la universidad, es de vital importancia escoger con cuidado a la empresa que se vaya a encargar de la mudanza. Intentar recortar costos para ahorrar dinero en tu mudanza podría llevarte directamente a un estafador.