Scams & Fraud

The holiday deals have already begun, but buyer beware – not all of those great deals you see online are legit. Because if the online shopping season has started it means that online scam season has officially begun too.

Although all scams that steal money can be painful, none are more so than ones that took advantage of someone's feelings towards another person. Learn things to look out for that can help identify potential scams and prevent them.

Computer viruses are scary. Tech support scammers exploit that fear, claiming your computer or mobile device is dangerously ill and needs an immediate, costly cure. These scams start with an unsolicited phone call or a pop-up warning on your device, claiming to be from Microsoft, Norton, or other related company, warning of grave problems. The goal is to persuade you to allow them to remotely connect with your device and then convince you they find something terrible. What they are really doing could involve installing malware to harvest personal information and logins or convincing you to pay for expensive repair and protection (fake and fake).

It’s open enrollment season, which also means it’s Medicare fraud season. Eligible beneficiaries have until December 7 to shop for the best deal for their health care dollar. Unfortunately, some of the deals offered won’t be deals at all.

The holiday season creates new ways for scammers to victimize consumers. Especially with many consumers turning to online shopping it is even more important to remain vigilant. Here are a few steps you can take to help make this holiday shopping season safe:

Veterans, active duty and military families are nearly 40% more likely than the general population to lose money to scams and fraud. According, to the Federal Trade Commission, reported fraud attacks against our nation’s heroes and their families jumped 69 percent from 2020 to 2021.

Don't be the victim during this time of cheer. As we move towards the holidays, scammers are on the lookout for new ways to steal your money. Learn how to spot and prevent common types of scams during the holiday season.

Con artists are always devising new ways to target consumers. AARP is helping Minnesotans stay a step ahead with the Twin Cities Scam Jam on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Learn how to spot popular scams and recognize the signs of elder financial exploitation by listening to an AARP North Dakota telephone town hall this month.

AARP will hold a town hall on holiday scams with the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut, among a number of initiatives to raise public awareness of fraud.