AARP

Fraud Targeting Older Adults by Phone and Online Is Surging – What to Watch For Recent reports from AARP and CBS News underscore a troubling trend: technology‑enabled fraud against people age 50 and older is rising sharply. According to AARP, Floridians over 50 lost more than $258 million to scams in 2025 alone. Nationwide figures are likely higher, though exact numbers are still being collected. This consumer alert explains what’s happening, why older adults are a frequent target, and what you can do to reduce your risk. ...

Fraud Alert: Scams Targeting People Over 50 Are Rising Fast—Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’re over 50, a recent string of news alerts may have caught your attention—and for good reason. Fraud cases involving older adults are climbing sharply, and technology is increasingly the tool scammers use to reach their victims. In April 2026, CBS News issued a consumer alert highlighting this trend, while AARP reported staggering losses in Florida alone. Understanding what’s happening and how to protect yourself is more urgent than ever. ...

Fraud Surge Targets Adults Over 50: How to Spot and Stop Tech Scams If you are over 50, the odds that a scammer will call, email, or text you this year are higher than ever. Reports from CBS News and AARP in April 2026 show a sharp increase in fraud cases targeting older adults, with criminals relying on technology to impersonate trusted organizations and trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. ...

How to Report a Scam: A Step-by-Step Guide (From AARP’s Fraud Experts) If a scammer calls, emails, or shows up at your door, your first instinct may be to just hang up and move on. That’s understandable. But reporting the scam is one of the most effective things you can do—not just for yourself, but for your neighbors and for law enforcement trying to stop these crimes. ...

Don’t Just Get Mad, Report It: A Practical Guide to Stopping Scams When a scammer tries to trick you, the first wave of emotion is often anger, followed by embarrassment. You might want to just block the number, delete the email, and put the whole thing behind you. But there’s a critical step that many people skip: reporting the fraud. ...

Why Reporting a Scam is One of the Most Important Things You Can Do You see the alert pop up on your local news site or in an email from AARP: a new scam is targeting people in your area. It might involve fake IRS agents, a fraudulent travel deal, or a phony product recall. Your first instinct might be to simply delete the message, feel relieved it didn’t catch you, and move on. But there’s a critical next step that many people skip: reporting the attempt. ...

Why Reporting a Scam Is Your Most Powerful Defense Scams are a pervasive threat, evolving to exploit our trust and urgency. While staying informed is the first step, knowing what to do after you encounter a scam is equally critical. Recent alerts from AARP Virginia emphasize a consistent message: reporting fraud is not just about personal recourse—it’s a vital community safety measure. This guide explains the “how” and “why” of reporting, turning a moment of vulnerability into an action that protects yourself and others. ...