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AARP Nebraska’s Monthly Scam Watch Alerts

Your Monthly Guide to Spotting, Avoiding, and Reporting Scams

AARP

Published May 07, 2026

A man wearing glasses focuses on a smartphone held in one hand while holding a credit card in the other

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August 2026 Alerts: Fraud schemes are constantly evolving but understanding how they work is one of the best ways to stay protected. Whether it's a suspicious pop-up on your computer, a frantic phone call, or someone claiming they found your missing pet, knowing what to look for can go a long way toward protecting your money and personal information.

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Tech Support Scams:

Criminals use scary, warning pop-up messages or cold calls pretending to be a major software company to gain access to your device.

Many modern tech support alerts closely resemble real system warnings, making them difficult to detect at first glance. Vulnerable targets include standalone home computers, tablets used for online banking, and personal laptops used in busy, public Wi-Fi areas.

If your screen freezes or a strange alert pops up, pause before reacting. Reflect on what you might have heard (or read) about scams that start out like this. To clear the warnings, you may have to shut down your device to get rid of them.

To help stay safe, keep your operating system and antivirus software up to date. If you’re concerned that your device may have been compromised, get it checked out at a repair shop you trust.

Is It Really Your Grandchild on the Phone?:

Receiving a panicked call that a grandchild is in danger triggers immediate fear and an overwhelming emotional panic, which is exactly what criminals exploit to override our logical thinking.

Scammers contact targets feigning to be their grandchild who is in trouble and needs urgent financial help. Oftentimes, they request money through unconventional payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.

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If you receive an unexpected call that your grandchild is in jail or a hospital, take an active pause and reflect on the call—does it make sense? Have you heard about a scam like this? Then, hang up and contact your grandchild directly or call another relative to confirm they are okay. Also, check with your phone provider to see if they offer spam and scam call-blocking features.

Lost Pet Scams:

Losing a pet is a heartbreaking and stressful experience. The desperation to bring a furry family member back home leaves us incredibly vulnerable, and heartless scammers actively patrol missing pet forums to exploit that pain by claiming they have found your animal.

Typically, these criminals will spin a frantic story. They might claim your pet is injured and needs immediate money for a vet bill or demand a reward upfront. To heighten the panic, they will pressure you to pay immediately via mobile apps or gift cards, refusing to actually meet in person until you send funds.

If someone contacts you claiming to have your missing pet, take a deep breath. Never send money before seeing your pet. Demand that the caller send a fresh photo of the animal (and inspect it closely) or ask them to describe a unique physical trait not mentioned in your post. If they make excuses, hang up.

Fraud Victims, Revictimized:

Having money stolen from you in a scam can be devastating. Unfortunately, scammers know that victims are often eager to recover their money, and they use that hope to strike again.

In what's known as a recovery scam, criminals pose as government officials, private investigators, or “recovery experts” who claim they can help get your money back. They may contact you through emails, texts, social media, or websites that look legitimate. But instead of helping, they're trying to steal more of your money or personal information. Experts believe this could become the most common scam of the year.

You may wonder how victims are targeted following a fraud experience. In some cases, the same organized crime ring returns with a new story designed to steal even more money. In others, a victim’s information may be added to lists that criminals share and sell, making them a target for future fraud attempts. Protecting yourself after a fraud experience requires extra caution. Ignore any unsolicited offers to get your money back, as much as you want to believe it’s possible.

Learn how to spot and avoid scams with the AARP Fraud Watch Network™. If you suspect a scam, call the free Helpline at 877‑908‑3360 to speak with a trained fraud specialist about what to do next. To get biweekly Watchdog Alerts with updates on new scams and how to avoid them, text “FWN” to 50757 to sign up. Message and data rates may apply. Terms apply: https://aarp.info/tcofr.