HOW WE’RE FIGHTING FOR YOU
AARP Takes on Fraud
OLDER Americans consistently rate being defrauded as one of their greatest fears. And with good reason. The Federal Trade Commission put an eye-popping number to it: In 2023, scammers stole as much as $158.3 billion from Americans. That’s $434 million a day, or about $300,000 every minute.
For AARP, combating this scourge is a top priority.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network continues to blanket the country with education on fraud prevention through hundreds of state-office volunteer fraud fighters who reach tens of thousands of people in local communities every year. We also produce our award-winning podcast, The Perfect Scam, and send biweekly “Watchdog Alerts” to more than 400,000 subscribers. Go to aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork to learn more.
The Fraud Watch Network has a free helpline for those who want to check if something is a scam or get help after being defrauded. Call the helpline at 877-908-3360. And find emotional support at aarp.org/fraudsupport through our Fraud Victim Support online group discussions.
AARP is also working to change the way people think about fraud.
▶︎ We cofounded the new National Elder Fraud Coordination Center (fightelderfraud.org), which coordinates intelligence gathering to bring criminals to justice.
▶︎ Our fraud experts serve on the Aspen Institute’s National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention to establish the first-ever national fraud strategy.
▶︎ We worked with lawmakers to pass legislation in 15 states to help prevent fraud through cryptocurrency ATMs. And we successfully pushed for laws to stop gift-card scams in 10 states.
▶︎ AARP is advocating for laws to help victims recover their losses through victim restitution funds.
▶︎ We are also shifting the perspective on victimization (aarp.org/saythis) by spreading awareness that being defrauded is not the victim’s fault.
▶︎ AARP has launched a campaign to create a formula for recognizing and responding to scams: “Pause. Reflect. Protect.” Go to aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork to learn more.
▶︎ And AARP launched a new video series, Fraud Wars, which shares victims’ stories to highlight the sophisticated tactics used in fraud. Go to youtube.com/aarp to find episodes. —Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs with the AARP Fraud Watch Network
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