AARP Hearing Center
.jpg?crop=true&anchor=13,195&q=80&color=ffffffff&u=lywnjt&w=2008&h=1154)
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline is a free service where you can report suspected fraud, get help determining if something is legitimate, or get help if you or someone you love has become a victim. Each year, we receive around 100,000 calls. Here’s a look back at some of the trends we saw in 2024.
If you learn something new by reading this alert, please share it with your friends and loved ones. Awareness is a big part of curtailing these insidious crimes.
Impostor Scams
Impostor scams once again come in among the most common scams this year.
- These scams often begin with an unsolicited call, email, text or social media message posing as someone you trust – your bank, a business you know, a friend or loved one, or even a government agency.
- Criminals seek to get us into a state of fear or excitement – your Social Security payments have been paused, there is a problem with your bank account, or you just won a big prize. They know that if they can get us into a heightened state of emotion, our brains go right to solving the issue at hand, casting logic aside.
- We can’t put much trust in incoming and unsolicited communications these days – whether by phone, text, email, or social media. If you are concerned there may be an issue, contact the entity at a number or site you know to be legitimate.
