Scams & Fraud

A regular commercial for a national office supply chain promotes August as “The most wonderful time of the year” and for many parents it is both wonderful and frightening as kids head back to school or off to college. Scammers love this time of year as well because the panic mode sets in for many as they dash around making last minute purchases, plans, and arrangements for school. This flurry is distracting, confusing, and filled with anxiety - the environment con artists love.

Join Us! Summer Tech Talk

Join our series of online Q&A sessions to learn how to avoid them.

Bring Your Documents to Shred in Littleton

Following continuing threats to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service today listed email “phishing” schemes as a top filing season concern and part of the annual listing of the “Dirty Dozen” tax scams for 2018.

AARP Vermont will host a Scam Jam in South Burlington next month.

Watch and Learn -- Get a host of fraud prevention tips and information on how to protect you and your family from being the next victim of fraud. Elliott Greenblott, AARP Vermont Fraud Watch Network Coordinator, is a recognized expert on the subject and shares valuable information in this TV program from GNAT cable access TV station in Southern VT. Click on the link below to watch this month's segment.

AARP Vermont Fraud Watch Network needs you! We are recruiting volunteers to act as team members in our efforts to protect Vermonters from becoming victims of fraud and scams. What is AARP Fraud Watch? The program is part of a nation-wide effort to educate the public on the nature fraud and the various forms it takes. In Vermont, we conduct presentations for groups and organizations on a variety of topics, we distribute literature by staffing information tables and by distributing materials, and we engage people in conversations about fraud. As a volunteer, you will receive specialized training and be paired as an assistant with other volunteers. You determine your own commitment and involvement, operating in your own “zone of comfort.” While volunteers are not paid, AARP Vermont reimbursed for expenses incurred in the work of the program such as meals and mileage. For more information, contact Elliott Greenblott, AARP Vermont Fraud Watch Coordinator – egreenblott@aarp.org.

In case you haven’t noticed, the holiday season arrived early this year (right after Labor Day) and once again the Grinch in the form of a con-artist is working hard to ruin your celebrations. In this two-part series, we’ll look at a number of ways criminals are working to separate you from your money.

In cooperation with the state Office of Attorney General and Department of Public Safety, AARP Vermont is spreading the word about VT Scam Alert, a new component of VT-Alert, the state’s emergency notification system.