Fraud Prevention
You Fought for Us.
We're Fighting for You.
Veterans, active-duty service members and their families are nearly 40% more likely than civilians to lose money to scams and fraud.
Arm yourself through the AARP Fraud Watch Network, Operation Protect Veterans and other resources.
Read the AARP Watchdog
Alert Handbook: Veterans Edition
This new handbook exposes unique ways criminals target veterans and military families.
Find out more about the common scams and schemes con artists use to steal money and personal identities from veterans, service members and their families.
DownloadProtect yourself and your loved ones from common scams targeting veterans.
Top Scams
Targeting Veterans
Fraud cost veterans, active service members and their families $414 million in 2022 with a median loss of $765 per incident.
Learn More
AARP Study Reveals Veterans Susceptible to Fraud
Scammers are targeting veterans with tactics related to their military background, benefits, and sense of trust. But many vets are employing ways to fight back.
Protect Yourself
Avoid Veterans
Charity Scams
Be on the lookout for bogus military charities that use enticing outreach techniques much like trusted nonprofits.
Be VigilantIf you suspect a scam or fraud, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360 M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET
See a Scam?
Report It
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Scam-Tracking Map highlights the scams reported in your area and lets you report them too.
View MapAARP Fraud Watch
Network Update
Find tips and tools to protect you and your family and sign up for free Watchdog Alerts on the latest scams delivered to your inbox.
Sign UpFree Online
Group Support
The AARP Fraud Victim Support group offers a confidential online forum to meet with others who have experienced similar events.
Enroll
Operation Protect Veterans
Operation Protect Veterans is a joint program of AARP's Fraud Watch Network and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). The initiative provides free resources and community programs to proactively spot scams and deliver helpful guidance from fraud specialists if you have been targeted.
Avoiding Natural Disaster Scams and Fraud:
In the aftermath of natural disasters, con artists often exploit the chaos and distress. Scammers may impersonate contractors or FEMA officials to deceive and steal from you. Here's how to Avoid Disaster Fraud and FEMA Scams. If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact FEMA's fraud hotline at 1-866-223-0814. FEMA keeps a running list of disaster-related rumors and scams and ways to report scammers. If you suspect you're being scammed, call FEMA's fraud hotline at 1-866-223-0814.
AARP delivers free resources, community programs, and access to discounts to Veterans, Military and their Families. Find out more at aarp.org/veterans.