New Data Shows Fraud's Impact in Washington

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Fight Fraud – Shred It!

AARP and BECU invite you to take a simple but powerful step against identity theft. Bring your outdated personal documents to one of our free shredding and eCycle events, offered at four locations across Washington.

Date: April 18, 2026

Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm PT

Locations: Tukwila, Everett, Federal Way, and Bellingham

Details & Locations

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A.I. & Fraud Unmasked – Spokane Safety Day

Learn how A.I.-driven scams and online threats are evolving - and what you can do to stay protected. Enjoy a complimentary lunch, connect with local partners, and hear frontline insights from AARP fraud experts, the Spokane Police Department, and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.  The event is free, but pre-registration is required.

Date: April 28, 2026

Time: 10:00am–1:30pm PT

Location: CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 North Discovery Place, Spokane Valley, WA 99216

Details and Registration

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Real Solutions: Protecting Yourself from Fraud

Seeing more scams and unsure what to watch for? Join AARP for a nationwide tele-town hall covering common red flags and simple, practical steps you can take to protect yourself. Spanish-language access is available.

Date: April 30, 2026

Time: 10:00am - 11:00am PT

Location: Online

Details and Registration

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Why This Matters

Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics - using new technologies, emotional manipulation, and increasingly sophisticated schemes to target unsuspecting consumers. While adults 50-plus are often disproportionately targeted because of accumulated savings, fraud affects every generation, every income level, and every community in Washington. From imposter scams and identity theft to crypto-kiosk and A.I.-driven schemes, the financial and emotional toll of fraud can be devastating, draining life savings, undermining confidence, and eroding trust in institutions and communities.

That’s why AARP’s efforts to protect Washington consumers are so critical. The AARP Fraud Watch Network is a free resource for everyone, providing practical tools to help people spot scams before money is lost, one-on-one guidance from trained fraud specialists for those who have been targeted, and up-to-date alerts on emerging threats. Just as importantly, AARP pairs education with strong advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels, working to strengthen consumer protections, close regulatory gaps, and ensure law enforcement has the tools it needs to hold scammers accountable.

“Fraud prevention is about action,” said AARP Fraud Watch Network volunteer Kay Tomlinson. “When AARP shows up in communities with trusted tools and local events, we’re helping neighbors protect themselves and each other.” By combining community education, direct support, and persistent advocacy, AARP is working to ensure that Washington consumers are not left to face increasingly complex scams alone—and that meaningful protections keep pace with the threats.

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Advocacy Update: Working to Protect Washington Consumers

Beyond education and community events, AARP is actively advocating for stronger consumer protections. During the 2026 state legislative session, AARP pushed for legislation to help protect consumers from scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks - machines increasingly linked to large financial losses, particularly among older adults.

Despite overwhelming evidence that these kiosks are being used to steal millions of dollars from consumers, lawmakers failed to enact common-sense safeguards.

While disappointed by the outcome, AARP emphasized it is not backing down. “We are doubling down on our consumer education efforts to help warn consumers about the increasing incidences of crypto-kiosk scams,” said AARP Advocacy Director Cathy MacCaul.  “And we’ll continue to advocate for Washingtonians until meaningful consumer protections are enacted.”  Stay up to date on our advocacy efforts on AARP’s website.

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Take Action

• Attend a local event or join virtually. Share what you learn with friends and family. Protect yourself—and your community. Learn more at aarp.org/FraudSafety.
• Join the fight against fraud from anywhere. Become an AARP Digital Fraud Fighter and help your friends and family spot and avoid scams.
• Attend Fraud Watch Friday events, held the third Friday of each month on Zoom.

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More Resources

• AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline
  Get guidance from trained fraud specialists: 877-908-3360
  Monday–Friday, 5:00am – 5:00pm PT
• Watchdog Alerts
  Stay informed about the latest scams with AARP’s free bi-weekly alerts by email and text.
• AARP Scam-Tracking Map
  See scams reported near you—or report one yourself.
• Free E‑Learning: Effective Ways to Protect Yourself From Scams
  Learn how to spot warning signs, disengage from scammers, and take action if you’re targeted.