Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline If You Know Someone Who’s Been Scammed

You can reach out to caring people who are ready to help. 877-908-3360

Too few seniors who encounter scams and fraud report the crimes, and too few are aware of the AARP^® Fraud Watch Network Helpline.

Here’s a fact that everyone should be aware of. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that only about 10% of scam victims report the crime to authorities or even share it with a loved one or close friend. That decision to keep quiet and tell no one stems from several factors, none of them positive:

1. The victims suffer in silence and carry the shame and guilt of the scam with them…unnecessarily.
2. The unreported scam allows the criminals to continue without attention from police or other organizations that might be able to track them down and stop them.
3. The victim, by not telling anyone about their misfortune, forfeits the chance to regain any of their loss.

Here’s another unfortunate aspect of a victim remaining silent—there’s an organization, a phone call away, that’s ready to listen, advise, and care. We’re talking about the caring people at the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline.

When to call the Helpline at 877-908-3360, Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm EST

1. You spotted a scam and wish you could report it.
2. You think a message you received might be a scam and want to tell someone.
3. You have a family member or close friend who’s been scammed, and you wish you could do something.
4. You’ve been personally scammed and haven’t told anyone about it… yet.

Wouldn’t you like to talk to people you can trust who truly want to help someone who has been a victim of a scam and needs help?

That’s why the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline exists and why scam victims should reach out to this trusted, reliable, and available resource.

Who is AARP? A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves 125 million Americans over age 50 and their families. AARP strengthens communities by advocating for seniors on issues of stable health care, finances, and personal fulfillment. The Helpline ensures that seniors who are victims of fraud are heard and assisted. 

When someone calls the Helpline, they receive the attention they need.

People who have been scammed could have a wide range of emotions, whether it’s days, weeks, or months after they’ve been victimized. Yes, they can call the police to report a scam, which is always a good idea, but even if they do that (and remember, most victims don’t tell anyone), the police will simply take a cut-and-dried report and offer little in the way of further support or compassion.

That won’t happen if they call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Here’s what callers can expect.

• A conversation with a real person. The Helpline team will ask a range of questions, with patience and care, to understand your situation and circumstances.
• Support and guidance from a fraud specialist. You’ll receive support from a trained and caring Helpline representative who will listen intently and offer direct guidance.
• An action plan. The specialist shares several trusted resources with you, offers tips and strategies you can take, and maps out a plan to move forward.

The AARP Fraud Specialists focus on providing advice, support, and guidance when people need it most. They’ve learned what callers face and the questions they ask.

That’s why they listen empathetically and strive to provide genuine, heartfelt support, drawing on their training and experience helping seniors. 

If it’s a friend or loved one who has been targeted, they can share the steps you can take. If you’re the victim, they can provide information about the resources that will best fit your circumstances. As a Helpline Fraud Specialist shared, “helping others spot scams and protect themselves is the more rewarding part of volunteering.”

More scam prevention tools from AARP.

It’s always better to learn the smart way and the hard way. The more you know about scams and how to spot them, the less likely you are to become a victim. You and those you care about can learn more about scams by taking advantage of the free AARP Fraud Watch Network resources: 

1. Follow scam news and reports. Read the latest stories and reports from AARP’s ongoing reporting and tracking of fraud.
2. Receive timely, regular alerts. Sign up for their free fraud newsletter for timely reports on current scams. Or better yet, get Watchdog Alerts and text updates with important fraud messages.
3. Research scams in your area! AARP offers a Scam-Tracking Map that illustrates fraud taking place in your area.
4. Follow the AARP scam podcast. If you like listening to interviews and hearing what experts have to say, listen to the award-winning podcast, “The Perfect Scam.”

Get the personal and local support you want from AARP.

Whether you’ve not been a scam victim (yet) or you know friends who are, you now know of a wonderful, helpful, and free resource to turn to ASAP. They even have physical offices you can contact across the country. To find the AARP offices in your state and learn about programs, local events, and more, visit their website.  

Visit our Learning Center for more resources.

To learn more about protecting yourself from scams and fraud, visit the WhatIsMyIPAddress.com Learning Center. There, you can browse hundreds of articles and interviews to help you stay safe.