Fraud Prevention Resources for Utahns

AARP Utah is dedicated to helping stop fraud and scams because Utahns lose millions of dollars every year to increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics. Criminals are constantly evolving their schemes — from government impostor calls and romance scams to identity theft, bogus investment opportunities, and online shopping traps — and too many hardworking Utah residents are being targeted.

Ways to Report Fraud in Utah

• FBI Salt Lake City
  • Report a scam to the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
• Utah Department of Commerce  
  • Report affinity fraud and securities scams HERE or call (801) 530-6600.
  • Report real estate fraud HERE or call 801-530-6749.
  • Report consumer fraud HERE or call (801) 530-6601.

MEMBERS ONLY

Fraud Resources in Utah

• FBI Salt Lake City
  • To find more information about the latest scams the FBI is investigating, visit  IC3.gov/PSA.
• Utah Department of Commerce
  • Explore the department’s website to learn more about how the Utah Department of Commerce is strengthening trust and protecting Utah through education, regulation and licensing.
• Utah Commission on Aging: Financial Fraud and Scam Prevention
  • The Utah Commission on Aging (UCOA) sponsors and manages UtahAging.org as Utah’s official statewide virtual resource center for older adults. 
• Utah Department of Public Safety
  • The State Bureau of Investigations Financial Crimes Unit investigates a wide range of complex financial crimes, including fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, and money laundering.
• Find scams in Utah
  • The AARP Fraud Watch Network Scam-Tracking Map shows scams that are reported in your area.
• Local Utahns share their fraud stories
  • Utahn loses $800,000 to romance scam; what red flags to be aware of
  • Utahn lost over $1M to a scam; now she’s fighting back
  • Received a text about paying a road toll? It’s a scam

AARP National Fraud Prevention Resources

• Sign-up for weekly Watchdog Alerts
  • Get regular updates on the latest scams by signing up for biweekly Watchdog Alerts by texting FWN to 50757 to receive text alerts.
• Call Our Helpline If You Suspect a Scam
  • AARP’s Fraud Watch Network^TM Helpline is a free resource for everyone. Trained fraud specialists and volunteers field thousands of calls each month. Call: 877-908-3360
• The Perfect Scam Podcast
  • AARP’s weekly podcast that introduces listeners to people who have experienced scams firsthand, as well as leading experts who pull back the curtain on how scammers operate. 
• La línea de ayuda de la Red contra el Fraude, de AARP
  • La línea de ayuda de la Red contra el Fraude, de AARP, es un recurso gratuito para todos, sin importar si son socios de AARP o no. Los especialistas en fraude y los voluntarios atienden miles de llamadas cada mes.

Common signs of a scam include:

• A phone call asking for money or personal information, such as your Social Security number.
• A request to buy gift cards to pay a purported debt or to send money to someone whom you’ve only met online.
• An unauthorized charge on your credit card.
• An email or call saying you’ve won a sweepstakes or lottery, though you don’t recall entering one.

Report a scam or fraud if:

• You get a suspicious call, text or email requesting your bank account number; instructing you to buy a gift card; or promising a prize or gift.
• You gave money or financial or medical information to someone whom you now suspect was a scammer.
• A relative or friend gave money or something of value to a suspected scammer.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to fraud, please don't hesitate to call the AARP Fraud Watch Network^TM, a free resource for all. With AARP as your partner, you’ll learn how to proactively spot scams, get guidance from our fraud specialists if you’ve been targeted, and feel more secure knowing that we advocate at the federal, state, and local levels to protect consumers and enforce the law.

AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360

Toll-free service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET