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.
Fraud Talk Tuesdays
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.
It’s More than Just a Romance Scam:
Tuesday, February 11, 12:PM-12:30
Whether it’s romance or companionship, criminals can steal your heart and your trust…..to get your money. It can be difficult to help a loved one see that it is a scam. And these scams don’t always start on dating sites. Learn how to spot these scams and protect yourself or help someone who has been victimized.
Click Here to Register
Chimney Repair Scams
Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR) is receiving calls from consumers across Massachusetts about fake chimney repair companies. Before you hire anyone to work on your chimney or house, use OCABR's contractor lookup to be sure they are registered! https://services.oca.state.ma.us/hic/licenseelist.aspx
Credit Repair Scams
Overwhelmed by holiday bills? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to face your debt alone either. The New Year is the perfect time to take control of your finances — but beware of criminal scammers offering quick fixes that are too good to be true.
Scammers often exploit financial stress by promising instant relief or quick results to become debt-free. These schemes typically involve up-front fees, bad advice like avoiding your creditors, or vague claims about what services they actually provide.
Before committing to a debt relief service and providing your sensitive personal information, research reviews and check for complaints with organizations like the Better Business Bureau to ensure their credibility. If you need help getting out of debt, turn to an organization like the Nonprofit National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
Social Media Advertisement Scams
Over one-third of U.S. adults who have bought something through an ad on their social media feed report being defrauded, according to a new AARP survey. Don’t let scammers ad-vertise their way into your wallet this new year; here are three tips to stay ahead of social media shopping scams.
1) Don't click on the ad. If the ad appears to be from a known retailer, type the address into your browser or use the retailer’s app. Scammers can impersonate legitimate retailers, and clicking on the ad could bring you to a copycat site.
2) Read reviews and research. If the ad is from a retailer you’re unfamiliar with, verify the site’s legitimacy. Research the company and check for complaints with organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
3) Check the product quality. Be wary of bait-and-switch scams where you receive a product inferior to what was advertised (or you receive nothing at all). If this happens, you can contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.
Utility Scams
With temperatures dropping in many states, scammers are turning up the heat on their deceptive tactics. Each winter, criminals pose as utility company representatives, claiming a missed payment and threatening to shut off service unless payment is immediate.
If you get a surprise call from the “utility company” threatening to shut off your service, hang up the phone. The goal of these scammers is to create a sense of panic, making it harder to think logically and verify their claims. Their hope is that we stay in that state of panic long enough to complete a payment.
To verify the status of your utility payments, contact your provider using the customer service number on a recent bill (or log into their website or app if that’s an option). Chances are you will find out your payments are up to date.
Concert Ticket Scams
Getting tickets to top concerts is tough – don’t let scammers make it harder. With most concert venues switching to digital tickets only and concert demand through the roof, criminals are producing more counterfeit tickets than ever. Here are three tips to avoid buying a fake ticket.
1) Stick to known ticket sales sites or visit the National Association of Ticket Brokers (natb.org) to ensure that you are dealing with a verified reseller. Always type the web address of the site you want to visit into your browser rather than clicking on a link that could take you to a copycat site.
2) Beware of offers on social media and online marketplaces, where this scam thrives. These platforms are a hotspot for fraudulent ticket sales.
3) Never pay with a peer-to-peer payment app unless you are getting tickets from someone you know. You don’t have the same consumer protections with these payment methods that you have with a credit card.
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.
Resources to Spot Scams
The AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM 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 NetworkTM.
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
Sign up for free, biweekly Watchdog Alerts to have information on the latest scams delivered right to your email and phone.
Looking to Schedule a Fraud Presentation?
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
