Scams & Fraud

Online shopping is easy but also risky—especially during the holidays. AARP Alaska has tips to help weary shoppers be wary of cybercriminals.

If an apartment listing seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The holidays are here, and so are scammers looking to exploit the generosity many people feel this time of year.

AARP Georgia is teaming up with some of the state’s most popular athletes to promote AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

AARP Tennessee is a sponsor of the Oak Ridge Boys’ residency at Gaylord Opryland Resort, where the band will perform through Dec. 25.

Who doesn’t want to give their loved ones that perfect holiday postcard moment? You know, the big box with a bow that has a furry new member of the family inside. Unfortunately, that desire to create a cherished memory of a holiday pet leads many to a scam they won’t soon forget.

Most U.S. consumers will purchase a gift card for someone this holiday season. While these gifts are easy to give and popular to get, they are also open to fraud. A 2022 AARP survey found that one in four people have either given or received a gift card with no funds on it.

Holiday shopping, like most shopping these days, has moved online, and that poses unique risks, according to a new AARP survey. More than 75% of U.S. consumers reported that they have experienced some kind of fraud and a similar share of consumers failed a 9-question safe shopping quiz.

Holiday season is supposed to be joyful, but scammers can take the happy out of the holidays.

Scams aren’t always high tech – some of the most common are about as old fashioned as they come. In 2021 there were 33,000 reports of incidents involving mail carrier robberies and mail theft, up from 24,000 in 2019, according to the US Postal Inspectors (USPIS). What were the thieves looking for? Personal checks that can be washed and re-written to anyone for any amount.