Join the Fight Against Holiday Scams

From porch pirates to bogus shopping websites to fake charities, scammers are looking to take advantage of holiday cheer to steal your money.

Join AARP Hawaiʻi on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. for a Telephone Town Hall to learn how to recognize holiday scams and get your questions answered about the latest frauds. Fraud experts, including Mana Moriarty, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Office of Consumer Protection and Jeannie Yukimoto from Hawaiʻi USA Federal Credit Union will answer your questions about how to protect yourself and loved ones from scams.

If youʻve participated in an AARP Telephone Town Hall before, youʻll get a call on your land-line phone at 9 a.m. on Dec. 13 to ask if you want to join the call. Others can call 866-654-9490 toll-free to join. The forum will also be simulcast on the AARP Hawaiʻi Facebook page and people can ask questions in the comments.

“Education is one way we can fight scammers,” said Kealiʻi Lopez, AARP Hawaiʻi State Director. “Scammers are smart and constantly changing their tactics so it’s important to keep up with the latest scams to help protect loved ones from being defrauded. This telephone forum is similar to a radio show and people who call in can ask questions directly to our guests.”

The program is open to anyone of any age and you donʻt have to be an AARP member to participate. To learn and sign up for all of the events AARP is offering this month and in January, go to aarp.org/local or the AARP Hawaiʻi Facebook page and click on the events tab.