AARP Eye Center
Scams & Fraud
Do you believe everything you see online? The obvious answer is no, but there are plenty of sensationalized headlines, misleading stories and even complete falsehoods circulating on the Internet, making it hard for even the most discerning reader to sort fact from fiction.
Financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse in the U.S., and the average victim loses $120,000. We also know this crime is severely under-reported.
Scammers are always looking to capture people’s personal information, and Social Security numbers are highly valuable.
In 2019 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received nearly 125,000 reports of scams involving prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries that cost victims $121 million.
Nearly half of US adults say they are trying to lose weight, and with many people worried about weight gain while stuck at home during the pandemic, that number may very well rise.
In today's age of technology, scammers have never been more active. Learn about different types of scams so that you don't fall victim to one.
Ways to Stay Informed:
Thirty-two Westminster Canterbury residents gathered over coffee on Thursday, February 27, to learn how to protect themselves from fraud. Chris Lloyd, from the AARP Virginia Speakers Bureau gave everyone some practical advice on how to both recognize and prevent fraud.
They may contact you by phone. Or online. They may even come right to your front door.
Winter is upon us, with temperatures plummeting in many areas, keeping the heat on is critical—, and scammers try to take advantage of the situation. Each winter, utility scams spike as con artists claiming to be from the utility company threaten to cut off service if an immediate payment isn’t made.
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