AARP Virginia Fraud Alert: National Consumer Protection Week

It’s National Consumer Protection Week—and while AARP is focused on protecting consumers year-round—this is a good time to highlight some key consumer protection tips.

Make certain to use strong and unique passwords on all online accounts – look into password managers as an easier way to tackle this challenge. Where offered, use multi-factor authentication, where you receive a code by text, phone, or installed app, to add a layer of protection beyond your username and password. Rather than clicking links from texts and emails from your bank or from businesses you have accounts with, go to your app if you have one, or to a web browser and type the address in yourself—that way you know you are going to the legitimate site. Also, freeze your credit with the three main credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, Experian and Equifax – to block attempts to use any of your sensitive personal information that may have been exposed to open accounts in your name. Learn how at annualcreditreport.com/securityFreezeBasics.action.

Check out our Fraud Resource Center at aarp.org/frc for more insights and tips to stay safe from scams and fraud.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

With about 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50-plus and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about how AARP Virginia is working in your community, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at www.X.com/aarpva.