AARP Urges Stronger Personal Security Measures During FTC’s Identity Theft Awareness Week

As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads Identity Theft Awareness Week this January, AARP is reminding U.S. Virgin Islands residents that identity theft remains a growing threat across the nation — and that our island communities are not immune.

An AARP-sponsored report from Javelin Strategy & Research shows that American adults lost $47 billion to identity fraud and scams in 2024. Given USVI’s frequent use of mail services, its high reliance on digital banking, and recurring reports of phishing and impersonation scams targeting local consumers, heightened awareness is essential.

“Social Security numbers in particular are like gold to criminals hoping to perpetrate identity fraud, which often leaves victims to ‘face a daunting and frustrating process to reclaim their identity,’” said Bill Sweeney, AARP Senior Vice President for Government Affairs.

Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands can take practical steps to reduce risk and protect their personal information.

Reduce Your Paper Trail

• Enroll in paperless billing and set up online access to your financial accounts to limit opportunities for mail theft — a concern in many island communities.
• Shred sensitive documents such as bank statements, medical bills, and tax forms before disposing of them.
• Do not carry your Social Security card with you, and avoid leaving personal documents in your vehicle.

Strengthen Your Security Measures

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication on all accounts. Public Wi‑Fi, common in local cafés and tourist areas, should be avoided for sensitive transactions.
• Regularly monitor your credit report and consider freezing your credit with all three major bureaus.
• File tax returns early to help prevent fraudsters from attempting to submit returns in your name. You may also request an Identity Protection PIN through IRS.gov for added protection.

“Criminals are continuously evolving to target consumers where they are, no matter the device or medium,” said Kathy Stokes, AARP Director of Fraud Prevention Programs.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, residents have reported increased attempts at text-based phishing (“smishing”) and impersonation scams involving government agencies, including fake calls claiming issues with Social Security benefits or U.S. Customs documentation—scams frequently aimed at older adults and residents managing off-island accounts.

Protect Your Privacy

• Set your social media accounts to private and avoid posting personal details like birthdays, school affiliations, or family relationships, which are often used in targeted impersonation scams affecting small communities.
• Avoid entering personal information into AI tools or any platform that does not clearly protect user privacy.

AARP Resources for the U.S. Virgin Islands

Knowledge remains your best defense. The AARP Fraud Watch Network™ provides free resources available to all USVI residents, including:

• A free fraud helpline staffed by trained specialists
• Up‑to‑date scam alerts, including trends affecting the Caribbean region
• Educational events, webinars, and local outreach to strengthen community awareness

AARP also advocates at the territorial, federal, and local levels to improve consumer protections and strengthen enforcement against identity theft and fraud.