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AARP New Jersey Fraud Hub
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.The AARP New Jersey Fraud Hub is your trusted, one‑stop resource for staying informed and protected against scams targeting older adults and their families. Through tools, tips, and timely alerts, the Fraud Hub empowers New Jersey residents to recognize red flags, avoid financial loss, and take action if fraud occurs. This April, AARP New Jersey is amplifying that mission with our April Fraud Blitz—a month‑long focus on education and awareness featuring free events, expert insights, and practical guidance on today’s most common scams, from cryptocurrency and impostor fraud to identity theft. Together, the Fraud Hub and April Fraud Blitz help you stay informed, stay alert, and stay safe.
See below for upcoming events on how to protect yourself from Fraud!
How to Stay Out of the Club
- Verify Before You Give: Use tools like Charity Navigator or the IRS database.
- Don’t Click Unsolicited Links: Go directly to the retailer’s site.
- Use Credit, Not Debit: Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection.
- Sign Up for AARP Fraud Watch Network Alerts: aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call 877-908-3360 for free support.
Check out common scams in your neighborhood: The AARP Fraud Watch Network Scam-Tracking Map shows scams reported in your area. Report your scam to warn your neighbors and see what else has been reported near you.
Upcoming Events
Cryptocurrency & Scams: Stay Safe
Join AARP on April 20 from 12–1 pm ET for a special Fraud Prevention webinar focused on the latest scam trends and how to stay safe! Learn how to spot common fraud tactics—including those involving cryptocurrency—and get practical tools to protect your personal information.
The session will feature a presentation from Kathy Stokes, AARP’s Senior Director of Fraud Prevention Programs, who will break down how cryptocurrency scams work and how to avoid them.
Cybercrime Exposed: Digital & Crypto Scams
Join us on Monday, April 27 from 12-1 pm ET for a special Fraud Prevention webinar focused on helping you stay safe in today’s fast‑paced digital world. This session will cover practical steps to protect your personal information whether you're at home, on public Wi‑Fi, using social media, or shopping and banking online. You’ll learn about the most common forms of cybercrime and the red flags that can help you recognize and avoid online scams before they cause harm.
We’ll also feature Mark Fetterhoff, Senior Advisor of AARPs Fraud Helpline, who will share insights on the growing intersection of cybercrime and cryptocurrency. Mark will break down how criminals use digital tools and crypto platforms to target victims and what you can do to stay ahead of them.
Montclair Public Library Community Shred Day
AARP New Jersey is proud to collaborate with Montclair Public Library for a Community Shred Event designed to help residents protect their personal information and reduce their risk of identity theft.
Identity theft often begins with stolen or discarded documents. This event provides a safe, secure way to dispose of sensitive materials such as financial statements, medical records, tax forms, and other documents containing personal information.
In addition to onsite shredding, AARP will share practical fraud prevention resources and tips to help you stay protected year-round. Anyone who preregisters and attends will receive a complimentary “Fraud Alert Gift Bag,” which includes prevention tools such as a confidential stamp, webcam cover, and additional educational materials — while supplies last.
Take a simple step today that can prevent serious financial loss tomorrow.
Join Our Free Community Shred Event!
You're Invited to bring your sensitive personal documents to get shredded for FREE on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Perth Amboy, NJ! This community event is being hosted by PARTNER, The City of Perth Amboy, Perth Amboy Clean Communities, and being sponsored by AARP NJ.
Shred to Protect: Newark Fraud Prevention Day
The Community Shred Event is a featured activation within AARP’s Newark Fraud Blitz at CityPlex 12 Theater, a coordinated effort focused on consumer protection and financial security. This free service provides Newark residents with the opportunity to securely dispose of sensitive documents such as bank statements, medical records, and personal paperwork that could be used for identity theft.
Beyond shredding, participants will receive fraud prevention education, information about emerging scams—including cryptocurrency-related fraud—and guidance on what to do if they are targeted. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with AARP’s Fraud Watch Network, learn about legislative efforts to strengthen consumer protections, and engage in future fraud prevention initiatives.
This activation transforms awareness into action by combining immediate protection with long-term education and advocacy.
Anyone who preregisters and attends will receive a complimentary “Fraud Alert Gift Bag,” which includes prevention tools such as a confidential stamp, webcam cover, and additional educational materials — while supplies last.
Cryptocurrency Kiosks & Public Safety
The Crypto Kiosk & Consumer Protection Program is a featured component of AARP’s Newark Fraud Blitz at CityPlex 12 Theater. As cryptocurrency kiosks become more common in communities, they are increasingly being linked to fraud schemes that target older adults and financially vulnerable residents.
The program will feature Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and other community leaders, followed by a comprehensive fraud education session led by AARP’s Speakers Bureau. The educational portion will focus on how cryptocurrency kiosk scams work, why they are effective, common red flags to recognize, and the steps individuals can take if they are targeted.
This event combines leadership presence with practical fraud prevention tools, reinforcing AARP’s commitment to financial security and consumer protection in Newark.
Online Scams & Cybercrime: How to Stay Protected
As technology evolves, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. From phishing texts and spoofed emails to cryptocurrency kiosk scams and online impersonation schemes, digital fraud is one of the fastest-growing threats facing adults 50 and older.
Cybercrime Uncovered: Protecting Your Money in a Digital World is an in-depth community session designed to educate and empower adults 50+ and those approaching retirement. Participants will gain insight into how cybercriminals manipulate trust, urgency, and technology to steal money and personal information.
During this session, attendees will:
- Learn how common cyber scams work
- Understand the risks associated with cryptocurrency kiosks
- Identify red flags in emails, texts, and online communications
- Discover steps to take if targeted
- Access trusted reporting and prevention resources
To encourage proactive engagement, the first 50 attendees who preregister and attend, will receive a special Fraud Alert Gift Bag filled with prevention tools like a confidential stamp, webcam cover, and other fraud safety resources — while supplies last.
Held at the East Franklin Fire Department Hall in Somerset, this event is part of a coordinated effort to strengthen financial resilience and fraud awareness across The Brunswicks.
Space is limited to 150 participants. Free parking is available onsite.
The Long Con: Digital Age Fraud Prevention
Fraud is not always a quick theft — sometimes it is a slow, calculated relationship.
“The Long Con” reframes fraud as a social, cultural, and relational issue rather than simply a financial crime. Within Black communities, trust is built through deep and meaningful networks — family ties, faith traditions, music, shared cultural experiences, and systems of mutual support. These bonds create strength and resilience. Unfortunately, they also create opportunities for exploitation when trust is weaponized.
This program will explore how scammers intentionally embed themselves within trusted spaces and relationships, building credibility before executing financial harm. We will examine how cybersecurity threats — including phishing, impersonation scams, and online relationship schemes — intersect with the growing use of cryptocurrency ATMs (Crypto kiosks) as a tool to move stolen funds quickly and anonymously.
Attendees will gain insight into:
- How long-term fraud schemes are structured
- The psychological tactics used to build and manipulate trust
- The role of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in modern scams
- How cryptocurrency kiosks are used in fraud schemes
- Practical steps to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud
Crypto, Clicks & Criminals
Cybercrime and cryptocurrency scams are among the fastest-growing threats in today’s digital economy. From phishing emails and online impersonation schemes to cryptocurrency kiosks and digital investment fraud, criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit trust and technology.
This educational program will examine how cybercriminals operate, why cryptocurrency has become a growing tool in fraud schemes, and how these crimes are affecting older adults and families across our region. Attendees will hear from issue experts and community leaders, along with an educational session led by AARP NJ’s Speakers Bureau focused on practical prevention strategies.
Participants will learn:
- How common cyber and crypto scams work
- The warning signs and behavioral tactics used by fraudsters
- Steps to protect personal information and digital assets
- What to do if you suspect fraud
This session is designed to empower residents with knowledge, awareness, and practical tools to stay safe in an increasingly digital world.
