Tag Archives for imposter scams

Free AARP Rhode Island Opportunities for Older Rhode Islanders

Published in RINewsToday on March 23, 2026

AARP Rhode Island—one of 53 AARP state and territory offices serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—works to improve the quality of life for older Rhode Islanders. The organization promotes positive social change and delivers value to more than 125,000 members through information, advocacy, and service.

Alongside their national headquarters in Washington, D.C., AARP’s nonprofit state offices lead community engagement, advocacy, and educational programming at the local level. As the state’s largest aging advocacy organization, AARP Rhode Island represents its members on key issues, including Social Security taxes, healthcare, and long-term care.

AARP’s advocacy efforts helped secure passage of the Rhode Island Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program and last year’s legislation to regulate crypto ATM kiosks. The organization is now pushing to eliminate the state tax on Social Security and continues to support the state’s more than 121,000 family caregivers.

Fighting fraud is a particular AARP focus year-round, but especially in April and May. In 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, Rhode Island consumers reported more than 11,776 fraud cases, resulting in an alarming $20.7 million in losses. Consequently, AARP Rhode Island is taking the fight into Ocean State communities.

“Fraud prevention is about action,” said AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor – “When AARP shows up in communities with trusted tools and local workshops, we’re helping neighbors protect themselves and each other. We’re delighted to partner with the East Side/Mount Hope YMCA and the Cranston YMCA to address this escalating threat.”

Also in response, AARP Rhode Island will host a free “Fraud Fighting Fridays” document-shredding event, in Providence at the A. Vincent Igliozzi Recreation Center, 675 Plainfield Street, on Friday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. This is the first of nine drive-thru drop-off workshops scheduled statewide through June. Registration and details are available at www.aarp.org/RIEvents.

Also – mark your calendar for the upcoming three free presentations from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the East Side/Mount Hope YMCA (Meeting Room), 438 Hope Street, Providence.

April 8, 2026
Topic: Fraud Basics — The Scam Landscape & Staying Safe

In 2024, Rhode Island recorded 11,776 fraud reports to the Federal Trade Commission. That same year, there were approximately 2,896 identity theft cases in the Ocean State, which consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for identity theft per capita. According to AARP Rhode Island, the AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping empower older adults to fight back against scams by providing trusted tools and resources to recognize, avoid, and report fraud.

At this workshop, you’ll learn about the latest fraud trends, along with practical tips and resources to help protect yourself and your family. With just a few simple steps, you can reduce your risk and take control. Volunteer instructors will highlight common scams, explain how to spot red flags, and break down the tactics scammers use to target individuals. You’ll also learn what to do if you encounter fraud and where to turn for help—so you can better protect yourself and your loved ones.

April 15, 2026
Topic: Government Impostor Scams

According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2024, adults aged 60 and older reported losing millions of dollars to scammers posing as representatives of trusted government agencies and businesses. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their efforts to steal your money and personal information—often by pretending to be someone they’re not, says AARP Rhode Island. At this workshop, you’ll learn what government impostor scams are and the tactics scammers use to target victims. You’ll also receive practical tips on how to spot these scams and access resources to help protect yourself.

April 22, 2026
Topic: Vigilance Against Cybercrime

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, approximately 1,642 Rhode Islanders were victims of cybercrime in 2025. However, the true number is likely much higher, as many incidents go unreported. In today’s fast-moving digital world, AARP Rhode Island emphasizes that safeguarding your personal information is more important than ever. Whether you’re in public, at home, shopping online, using social media, or managing your finances, this workshop will provide practical guidance to help you stay safe and secure. You’ll learn how to recognize the latest scams, protect your digital identity, and take control of your online safety.

Another three workshops, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will be held at the Cranston YMCA, 1225 Park Avenue, Cranston

April 28, 2026
Topic: Government Impostor Scams

This workshop, similar to the one held earlier in Providence, will explain what government impostor scams are and detail the tactics scammers use to target victims. You’ll also learn practical tips on how to spot these scams and access resources to help protect yourself.

May 5, 2026
Topic: Downsizing and Decluttering

Let AARP Rhode Island show you how to simplify and declutter your life. If you’re looking to clear out items accumulated over the years, join this free workshop to learn practical organizing strategies. During this one-hour session, you’ll learn how to begin your decluttering journey and how better organization can positively impact your daily life.

May 12, 2026
Topic: Understanding Social Security

Learn the ABCs of Social Security and gain a clearer understanding of how this vital retirement program works. Instructors will share information and resources to help you make informed decisions about when to claim your benefits. The workshop will explain the differences between full, early, and delayed retirement benefits, as well as spousal and survivor benefits. It will also touch on ongoing efforts in Congress to ensure the program’s long-term financial stability.To register for these workshops, go to AARP Rhode Island Upcoming Events.

 Herb Weiss, LRI, 12, is a Pawtucket-based writer who has covered aging, healthcare, and medical issues for more than 45 years. To purchase his books, Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly and its two sequels, visit herbweiss.com.

AARP Fights Consumer Fraud – by Herb Weiss

Published in Pawtucket Times on November 30, 2020

Every year, fraudsters continue to operate government imposter scams falsely claim to be from federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, to get people to turn over money or personal information. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to fall victim to these scams.

FTC Compiles Fraud Complaints

Last January, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released its annual report detailing data from the Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2019, continuing to put a spotlight on the impact of imposter scams and identify fraud on consumers across the nation. Expect the FTC to release its 2020 data book early next year.

The data book, initially released in 2008, includes national statistics, as well as a state-by-state listing of top report categories in each states, and a listing of metropolitan areas that generated the most complaints per 100,000 population.

According to the FTC, its 2019 database network receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and a number of private partners. Last year, the network received 3.2 million reports, including nearly 1.7 million fraud reports as well as identity theft and other reports.

The researchers found that younger people reported losing money to fraud more often than older people. But, when people age 70 and over had losses, the median loss was much higher, they say.  

Imposter scams, a subset of Fraud reports, followed closely behind with 657,472 reports from consumers of 2019. The most common type of fraud reported to the FTC last year was identified theft scams, with imposter scams following closely behind.    

Specifically, last year there were over 647,000 imposter scams reported to FTC’s database. Thirteen percent of those calling reported a dollar loss, totaling nearly $667 million lost to imposter scammers. These scams include, for example, romance scams, people falsely claiming to be the government, a relative in distress, a well-known business, or a technical support expert, to get a consumer’s money.

Of the 1.7 million fraud reports, 23 percent indicated money was lost. In 2019, people reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud – an increase of $293 million over what was reported in 2018.

Protecting Yourself Against Scammers

With the release of a new report, AARP continues its efforts to combat identify theft and imposter scams. The Washington, DC-based nonprofits continues to report on the latest scams, exploring its impact on U.S. adults age 55 and over and how technology may play a role in their ability to protect themselves from financial harm. The 16-page report, “Identity Fraud in Three Acts,” developed by Javelin Strategy & Research and sponsored by AARP, reveals that 26 percent of seniors have been victims of identity fraud. But researchers say that more are taking additional safeguards to prevent losses of personal information. Following an identity theft incident, 29 percent have placed credit freezes on their credit bureau information, and more than half have enrolled in identity protection or credit monitoring services.

“Older Americans are leading more digitally infused lives, with two-thirds using online banking weekly, so it’s encouraging to see that many are taking proactive steps to protect their identity following a data breach,” said Kathy Stokes, Director of AARP Fraud Prevention Programs in a statement announcing the release of the report. “Passwords still represent a security threat, however; using repeated passwords across multiple online accounts makes it easy for criminals to crack one of them so that all of your accounts – including financial accounts – become accessible,” says Stokes.

According to the AARP report, age 55 and over consumers call for banks to use stronger security authentication. About 90 percent support the use of more fingerprint scanning, and 80 percent view facial recognition capabilities as a reliable form of technology for financial transactions and private business matters. The report’s findings indicate that identity fraud victims age 65 and over do not necessarily change how they shop, bank or pay following a fraudulent event, with 70 percent exhibiting reluctance to change familiar habits.

“Criminals are regularly targeting age 55 and over Americans through a combination of sophisticated scams via computer malware and also through more traditional low-tech channels via telephone and U.S. mail,” says the AARP report’s author, John Buzzard, Lead Analyst, Fraud and Security at Javelin. “The combination of high-tech and low-tech strategies unfortunately gives the upper hand to the criminal — not the consumer,” he adds.

The AARP report provides these tips to older consumers to protect their pocketbooks. Just hang up on strangers. Independently verify everything.  Always adopt security practices that go beyond a single password.  Consider using a password manager tool or app to create and safely store complex passwords.  Always write down important numbers of companies you do business with rather than rely on a web search for a customer service number, as criminals post fake numbers online.  

The report also recommends securing your devices – mobile phones, laptops and tablets- with a complex password, preferably with screen locks that use a fingerprint or facial recognition and secure personal payments with digital wallets.

Be vigilant.  Don’t become a sucker for scams.  

To report a compliant, call the Consumer Sentinel HelpLine at 1.877.701.9595.

For a copy of Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2019, go to:  https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/consumer-sentinel-network-data-book-2019/consumer_sentinel_network_data_book_2019.pdf

For a copy of “Identity Fraud in Three Acts,” go to:  https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/family-and-friends/2020/10/aarp-Identity-fraud-report.pdf.

To learn more about AARP’s fraud prevention programs, visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.