DES MOINES – With scammers busy thinking up new ways to steal your money, how can you protect yourself, your family and your neighbors? Join AARP Iowa for a discussion about how to safeguard against identity theft and fraud on Thursday, May 10, at Creston Public Library, 200 W. Howard st., starting at 11:30 a.m. Learn how scammers think so you can build up your defenses against the kinds of tricks con artists use, and about keeping more of your hard-earned money where it belongs – in your pocket.
The program is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be served. Those interested in registering can call 1-877-926-8300 or visit https://aarp.cvent.com/FWNCreston0510.
AARP Iowa's Creston event is one of more than 150 fraud-fighting programs being held in communities coast-to-coast as part of AARP's second annual "Operation: Stop Scams," a five-week-long series on scam prevention and education events in communities coast-to-coast.
The anti-fraud activities sponsored by AARP's local offices in more than 35 states include: paper-shredding events, fraud education programs – popularly referred to as "scam jams," AARP Fraud Watch Network background presentations, tele-town halls and phone bank call-out sessions to warn consumers of the latest scams. Consumers can visit www.aarp.org/OperationStopScams to find the event closest to their community.
Iowa residents reported 1,870 cases of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission during 2017, yet a new AARP survey finds that almost half of consumers ignore experts’ recommendations to regularly shred their sensitive financial records.
Money Smart Week, April 21-28, is a collaborative between thousands of organizations across the United States that offer financial education programs designed to help consumers learn to better manage their personal finances.
In AARP’s recent poll on tax fraud and identity theft issues, 80 percent of respondents agreed shredding paperwork that contains Social Security numbers, birth dates and financial account numbers is “very” or “extremely” important. Yet, 34 percent admitted that they shred just “rarely” or “sometimes.” Twelve percent said they have never shredded such documents.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network launched in 2013 as a free resource for people of all ages. The FWN website provides information about fraud and scams, prevention tips from experts, an interactivescam-tracking map, fun educational quizzes and video presentations featuring Fraud Watch Network Ambassador Frank Abagnale. Users may sign up for “Watchdog Alert” emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling.
Abagnale, the renowned fraud expert whose personal story was depicted in the hit movie “Catch Me If You Can,” is also host of a new AARP weekly podcast series, “The Perfect Scam,” that launched this month.