AARP Massachusetts Monthly Fraud Watch Update For September 2016

Background:
Did you know that someone’s identity gets stolen every two seconds? The AARP Fraud Watch Network provides you with tips and resources to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud so you can protect yourself and your family. Our watchdog alerts will keep you up to date on con artists’ latest tricks. It’s free of charge for everyone: AARP members, non-members, and people of all ages.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network is:
 An Educator: Get real-time alerts about the latest scams, tips on how to spot them, and the inside scoop on how con artists think so you can outsmart them before they strike.
 A Watchdog: Our nationwide scam tracking map gives you access to a network of people who've spotted scams and the opportunity to pass along your own experiences, so together we can beat con artists at their own game.
 A Resource: Get connected to a real live person trained in how to avoid fraud and advise you if you or a loved one has been scammed by calling our fraud hotline or attending a forum in your community.
 Free for Everyone: Anyone, of any age, can access our resources at no cost.
Scam Alert #1:
In honor of Grandparents Day, this is a warning that the distress call you get from a grandchild could be a scam. A con artist will call or e-mail in a desperate state, pretending to be your grandchild. She may even know family member names. She will ask you to wire her money to fix her car, buy a plane ticket, or get out of jail, or some other made up reason. If you get a call or an email like this, verify that it’s legitimate before you send any money. Ask a question a con artist wouldn’t know the answer to – like the name of the person’s pet or her mother’s birthday. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Report scams to local law enforcement. Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information on fraud prevention.
Scam Alert #2:
If a telemarketer ever asks you to pay for something by wire transfer or by providing a PIN to a cash reload card, hang up, because it is most certainly a fraud. New rules from the Federal Trade Commission bar this activity. Even though this method is prohibited, it may not deter scammers from trying to convince you to pay this way, but know that it’s a violation of the law. Hang up and then report it at www.ftc.gov/complaint. Report scams to local law enforcement. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information on fraud prevention.
Scam Alert #3:
While there are plenty of contests run by reputable organizations, there is also a lot of fraud. Every day, people lose thousands of dollars to prize scams. Know it’s a scam if you have to pay “taxes,” “shipping and handling charges,” or “processing fees” to get your prize. Another red flag is if you’re asked for a credit card number or your checking account number. Also, if a prize notice was sent by bulk rate, that means lots of other people are receiving it, too, so it’s most likely a scam. Have you “won” a sweepstakes you don’t remember entering? That’s another warning sign. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Report scams to local law enforcement. Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information on fraud prevention.
Scam Alert #4:
It’s important to pay attention to your credit card bill after making a purchase online or over the phone. Unsuspecting consumers may find that the retailer has tacked on a few more items, in the hopes of going unnoticed. If you contact your credit card company soon after the bogus charge appears, the company will remove the charge. But if you don’t notice until after the charge has been paid, you could have a job on your hands to clear it up. Try contacting the retailer to have the charge removed. If that doesn’t work, get help from the Federal Trade Commission on disputing the charge with your credit card company. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Report scams to local law enforcement. Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. for more information on fraud prevention.