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Report fraud or financial exploitation

1-800-222-4444, option 2

AARP Foundation ElderWatch engages hundreds of volunteers each year to help older consumers recognize, refuse and report fraud and scams. This website provides additional information and tools to help protect consumers against financial exploitation.


Fraudsters use a number of persuasion tactics to convince their targets to give them money. Here are three of the most common red flags we’ve seen from callers into the AARP Foundation ElderWatch hotline in Colorado:

illustration, Money falling from sky, scam, Recognize Fraud, AARP Foundation, ElderWatch


Number 1: You’re contacted out of the blue with an offer for free money or fast cash

If you receive an unsolicited offer like this, there’s a good chance that you’ve been targeted by a scam artist. Most scams of this nature rely on your response to their initial promise of lottery winnings, fast-cash from an easy work-at-home job, guaranteed returns from a hot new investment or an inheritance you didn’t know about, so that they can gain access to your personal information and solicit money from you.

Illustration of clock, high pressure sales techniques, Recognize Fraud, AARP Foundation, ElderWatch


Number 2: You are pressured to act quickly

Scam artists are very good at pretending to have “limited time only” offers or “inside information” that is designed to get you to act quickly and make an irrational decision. Don’t fall for those tactics. If the offer is legitimate it will still be there tomorrow.

Hand reaching for money, persuasion techniques, Recognize Fraud, AARP Foundation, ElderWatch


Our third red flag is a really simple one: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is

Scam artists have a knack for making people believe that they’ll be better off if they take the deal. But what really happens is that the scammers are the ones who are better off — they leave with your money, and you’re left with nothing from the too-good-to-be-true promises that were made.

Get Involved

Presentations

Help raise awareness of fraud and scams by scheduling a presentation. For more information, email your contact information to Mark Fetterhoff.

Volunteer

Help others recognize, refuse and report fraud by volunteering with us. For more information, email your contact information to Mark Fetterhoff.

Resources

Contact Us

Facebook: facebook.com/AARPFoundation

Twitter: @AARPFoundation

Email: giving@aarp.org

Report Fraud: 1-800-222-4444 , option 2

Toll-free Nationwide: 1-800-775-6776

Toll-free TTY: 877-434-7598

AARP Foundation Tax ID: 52-0794300

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Sign up for watchdog alerts to protect yourself and your loved ones

Colorado Attorney General

File a consumer complaint and learn more about resources in Colorado

FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center

Learn about scams targeting older Americans and report these crimes

Federal Trade Commission

Avoid identity theft and other scams and know how to report them.

FINRA Investor Education Foundation

Visit the fraud center to learn about investment fraud and how to avoid it