AARP warns of telephone scam operation

Four cases reported in Fort Worth to date

AARP Texas warned its members and consumers generally today to immediately suspect anyone purporting to be with the organization and who is asking for personal information about assets over the telephone.  Four cases have been reported in Fort Worth to date in which a man representing himself to be with AARP in Houston inquired if the member had $50,000 in a bank account or the stock market.

“Don’t fall victim to a scam,” said AARP State Director Bob Jackson.  “AARP does not ask for this type of confidential information over the telephone.  It looks as if someone is using our good name and reputation to bilk unsuspecting people and separate them from their hard earned money.”

AARP has alerted the Consumer Protection Division at the Texas Office of the Attorney General.  Anyone receiving a call like this should file a complaint with the OAG at

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml or call 1 (800) 252-8011. If at all possible, it would be helpful to the OAG if the person receiving the call is able to obtain any additional information from the bogus callers, including their Caller ID number.