Alert
Close

Help those devastated by the Oklahoma tornadoes. Click here to donate today and AARP will match your gift

AARP Membership: Just $16 a Year

Highlights

Close

Dunkin' Donuts

Members receive a Donut with purchase of a L or XL beverage

AARP Salutes Our Heroes

Thanks to the veterans who served our country

Savings Icon

Tanger Outlets

Access to a free coupon book

Technical Icon

Black Community

How to live your best life

Tell Us Your Story

Let us know how the new health care law helps you

Contests and
Sweeps

You Could Win $50,000!

Plus you’ll get free tips and tools to help you find your perfect path to retirement
See official rules.

PROGRAMS

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

You can get free, face-to-face tax assistance nationwide.

Free Lunch Seminar Monitor Program

Attend investment seminars and tell us what you find.

Money Matters Tip Sheets

Download and print out these PDFs to help with your financial matters.

AARP
Bookstore

Visit the Money Section

Enjoy titles on retirement, Social Security, and becoming debt-free.

webinars

Learn From the Experts

Sign up now for an upcoming Money webinar or find materials from a past session. 

Jobs You Might Like

most popular
articles

Viewed

Recommended

Commented

Prime Time Radio

Outsmarting the Scam Artist

Useful tips for protecting yourself and loved ones from the most clever cons

  • Text
  • Print
  • Comments
  • Recommend
AARP's book Outsmarting the Scam Artists offers practical advice for protection- men's hands with money

Fraud fighter Doug Shadel offers practical advice to protect yourself from scam artists. — Photo: Corbis

Consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud annually. From corrupt insurance providers to fake telemarketing companies, there are countless schemes waiting to separate people from their money.


See also: Beware of area code scams
.


While anyone can fall victim to fraud, many con artists target the 50-plus age group. Con artists are often described as highly charismatic individuals. They tend to prey on and exploit lonely older Americans. Compounding the problem is that many seniors who are victimized find it hard to admit to being scammed, which can cause a continuous cycle.

 

In Outsmarting the Scam Artists, Doug Shadel discusses specific techniques con artists use to lure people into their schemes. The book offers practical advice on ways you can avoid falling prey to scams.

 

related video

Topic Alerts

You can get weekly email alerts on the topics below. Just click “Follow.”

Manage Alerts

Processing

Please wait...

progress bar, please wait

Tell Us WhatYou Think

Please leave your comment below.

You must be signed in to comment.

Sign In | Register

More comments »

your money

Discounts & Benefits

From companies that meet the high standards of service and quality set by AARP.

AARP Credit card from Chase

AARP® Visa Signature® Card from Chase - Cash back on every purchase.

financial products

Member access to financial and insurance products and services at AARPfinancial.com.

Member Benefits

Members receive exclusive member benefits & affect social change. Renew Today

Being Social

Featured
Groups

Hand holding credit cards

Pay Down Your Debt Challenge

Join others who are starting their debt-free journey. Discuss

 

savingchalleng

Savings Challenge

Have the gift of thrift? Share your tips.

Discuss