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Volunteer on Alert for Scams

John Wilson keeps calm in anti-fraud efforts

Susan Haigh,

AARP

Published August 28, 2026

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At age 82, John Wilson is still taking on new jobs.

On a recent morning, the retired meteorologist and former computer applications instructor logged onto Microsoft Teams to teach Connecticut court and victim-services staff how to protect people from becoming victims of fraud.

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As a trained member of AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, Wilson spends much of his time teaching people how to avoid scams. It’s one of many volunteer roles he has taken since joining the organization five years ago — a list that includes educator, fraud helpline volunteer, legislative advocate and volunteer state president.

“I’m not a guy that has to keep busy literally 16 hours a day. I can take a nap just as long as the next guy can,” says Wilson, of Stratford in southwestern Connecticut. “But it’s just something that keeps me going.”

John Wilson

Before joining AARP’s efforts in January 2021, Wilson had already enjoyed two lengthy careers. He spent 30 years as a meteorologist working with engineering firms on environmental matters, and then he taught computer software and project management for another two decades. When he fully retired in 2020 the second time, he found himself asking a question: “What do I want to do when I grow up?”

That’s when a family friend inspired him to volunteer part-time for AARP and focus on combating fraud. A self-described “geeky” person, Wilson says the work combines his interests in technology, education and public speaking. Researching emerging issues such as artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency keeps him mentally engaged, while helping fraud victims has proven deeply rewarding.

“I just love doing it,” he says. “I just love getting involved and the satisfaction that comes from helping somebody.”

Just spending 20 minutes on the phone with someone who has been defrauded and helping them realize the criminals are the ones at fault is particularly satisfying, Wilson says.

“That’s why we do this,” he says.

KEEPING CALM

John Erlingheuser, AARP Connecticut’s senior director of advocacy and community outreach, says it dawned on him that Wilson might also be good at helping with AARP’s work at the state Capitol in Hartford after seeing him calmly sort out a mix-up involving 200 tickets at an AARP event in Bridgeport.

“I thought, that’s somebody who really should be involved in advocacy,” Erlingheuser says. “Especially with all the noise out there in our public discussion these days, I think it’s great to have somebody who doesn’t overreact, doesn’t fly off the handle.”

Erlingheuser eventually encouraged Wilson to observe other AARP volunteers in action at the state Capitol—whether testifying at public hearings or handing out information. After giving it a try, Wilson took on additional leadership roles. In 2024, he became AARP Connecticut’s volunteer state president, a post that involves working with AARP’s paid staff on strategic priorities.

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Wilson takes his volunteer roles seriously and is always willing to try something new, Erlingheuser says. Wilson recently took up advocacy work involving Social Security matters.

“I think he demonstrates that you really have nothing to lose, and it’s worth taking risks — especially ones that are going to end with that action benefiting a lot of people,” he says.

‘RELIABLE RIGHT HAND’

AARP Connecticut State Director Nora Duncan says Wilson has accompanied her twice to Washington, D.C., to meet with the state’s congressional delegation and other state presidents and directors. He has become a key member of her team — someone that she can count on to run a meeting or give a media interview.

“He’s a super dedicated volunteer who is a reliable right hand for me when I need it,” she says.

Wilson spent about 500 hours volunteering for AARP last year. It’s his main activity these days, but he emphasizes that volunteers can contribute as much or as little time as they choose.

A quiet retirement doesn’t appeal to Wilson and his wife.

“I don’t want to do that,” he says. “Neither does my wife.” (His wife spends a lot of her free time helping at her church.)

Wilson is now in his third year as state president, and he hopes to serve three more.

“I’ll hang around long enough to be really old when I retire from AARP,” he says.

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Susan Haigh is a freelance journalist with more than 35 years of daily reporting experience, including nearly 24 years as a government and politics writer for The Associated Press.

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