Fighting Fraud & Stopping Scams in the Bay State

Knowledge gives you power over scams. The AARP Fraud Watch Network equips you with reliable, up-to-date insights, and connects you to our free fraud helpline so you can better protect yourself and loved ones.

On the second Tuesday of every month, take just 30 minutes to tune in online to our Fraud Talk Tuesday to stay up to date on the latest scams plaguing the Bay State. All recordings of past information sessions are posted on our YouTube Page here.

Fraud Talk Tuesday: Charity Scams
Tuesday, April 8 at Noon

From natural disasters, to supporting favorite causes, to helping those in need, individual Americans contribute billions to charities annually. Unfortunately, it also opens a door for scammers. We’ll discuss questions you should ask, how to verify if a charity is legitimate, and how to avoid being scammed when it comes to charitable giving.
Click Here to Register

Upcoming Fraud Talk Tuesdays
April Fraud Talk Tuesday: Fraud in Your Mailbox 📬
Tuesday, May 13 at Noon
Discover the various postal scams that could be lurking in your mailbox. Learn how to identify and protect yourself from mail fraud, a growing concern that affects countless individuals. We'll cover common types of postal scams, share practical tips on how to safeguard your personal information, and discuss what steps to take if you suspect you've been targeted
Click Here To Register

Scam Alerts

Getting Help After a Scam
Dealing with fraud in the aftermath can be fraught – not knowing where or if you should report (you should – it’s a crime), feelings of shame (even though it’s not your fault – blame the perpetrator), and an often-overwhelming emotional toll – let alone the financial impact.

One resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Every weekday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST, trained AARP volunteer fraud fighters are helping victims and their families understand what happened, report the crime, and plan next steps to put their lives back together. That number is 1-877-908-3360.

AARP also offers an online small group victim support program to help address the emotional harm fraud victimization causes. These conversations are completely confidential and are a wonderful way to receive support from others. Sign up for a session today at aarp.org/fraudsupport.

Experiencing a scam can be devastating, but it doesn't have to define you. If you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, make sure to file a report with local police; among other things, this may be useful in the event restitution becomes possible down the line.

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network^TM 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. If you are in need of immediate assistance- call the toll-free AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360. Click here to learn more about the AARP Fraud Watch Network^TM.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network Scam-Tracking Map shows scams reported in your area in real time. Report your scam to warn your neighbors and see what else has been reported near you. Click here to access the map.

Find Support 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.

Additional Resources:

• The Attorney General's Consumer Hotline: (617) 727-8400
• The Attorney General's Elder Hotline: 1-888-243-5337
• How/When 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

Get Regular Updates on The Latest Scams 
 Sign up for free, biweekly Watchdog Alerts to have information on the latest scams delivered right to your email and phone.

Trained AARP Massachusetts volunteers may be able to assist you by providing a dynamic speaker to help fight fraud for your next event. Speakers are all AARP volunteers. Presentations are a free community service offered by AARP, they range from 30 to 60 minutes in length, and can be either virtual or in person.
Please click this link to submit our presentation request form with a minimum of 6-8 weeks notice prior to your request date(s). Then a volunteer scheduler will be in touch with you about the next steps