Fighting Fraud in Massachusetts: The AARP Massachusetts Fraud Resource and Information Page

AARP Massachusetts is continuing to tackle fraud for 2023. Why? If the scams won't quit, neither will we. Through hosting various information sessions and telephone town halls with local fraud professionals, we are constantly working to keep you informed on how to protect yourself from and avoid the latest scams.

Scroll down on this web page to:

• Register for our Upcoming Fraud Talk Tuesday Information Sessions
• View Recorded Information Sessions from our Anti-Fraud Collaboration with the Age Strong Commission of the City of Boston
• Listen to our Tele-Town Halls on Fraud
• View Resources from the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
  

Fraud Talk Tuesdays

Scammers are always coming up with new ways to take your money. Whether it is through online romance, Medicare fraud, fake charity companies or more- we let you know what scams are on the rise as soon as we hear about it. On the 2nd Tuesday of every month, take just 30 minutes to tune into our Fraud Talk Tuesday monthly information session to stay up to date on the latest scams plaguing the Bay State. What do you need to tune into these free events? We just need you to sign up.

• November 14 at 12:00pm It’s Shopping Season: Beware of these Scams. Learn more how to avoid holiday and shopping scams and what do should you spot them. SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE.
  
• December 12 at 12:00pm: What is the AARP Fraud Watch Network? The AARP Fraud Watch Network ™ is 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. SIGN UP BY CLICKING HERE.

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AGE STRONG COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BOSTON, ANTI-FRAUD COLLABORATION

RECORDED INFORMATION SESSIONS

• This is a series of recorded information sessions, conducted as part of an event series put on by AARP Massachusetts & the Age Strong Commission of the City of Boston. These recorded sessions discuss job search scams and also how to protect grandchildren and grandparents from scams that know how to specifically plead to them. Click the blue links below to tune in. Subscribe to our YouTube page for free and stay up to date.
  
  • Session 1: Student Loan Scams & Protecting Your Kids and Grandkids from it.
  • Session 2: Job Search Scams
  • Session 3: Scams targeting Grandchildren
  • Session 4: The Grandparents Scam
• Resources listed in the information sessions by Age Strong Boston & AARP Massachusetts :
  
  • How/Why to freeze your credit - https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2023/check-credit.html
  • IdentityTheft.gov
  • AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228)
  • Federal Trade Commission to report fraud- https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.IC3.gov/complaint

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Fraud Telephone Town Halls

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

• Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell joined us for a Tele Town Hall to discuss fraud. Her best advice? It's that age-old saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You can listen to all the valuable information she passed along to our members here or check it out on our media library page here or on our Facebook Page here.
  Attorney General Campbell also gave out some important telephone numbers if you've experienced or think you're experienced fraud:
  
  • The Attorney General's Consumer Hotline: (617) 727-8400
  • The Attorney General's Elder Hotline: 1-888-243-5337

Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

• AARP Massachusetts hosted a Tele-Town Hall in April to alert members to scams going on in our neighborhoods. We talked with Robin Putnam. She’s the Events & Outreach Manager for The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. There's plenty to learn about and a lot of important information.  State Director Mike Festa moderates. Listen to the recording here.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network:

The AARP Fraud Watch Network ™ is 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. You’ll also be able to look at a scam-tracking map where you can see and report scams in your area. 

If you've been targeted by scams or fraud, you are not alone. Our trained fraud specialists provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future. The AARP Fraud Helpline, 877-908-3360, is free and available to anyone. We also offer online support sessions for further emotional support.