Hi All,   
      
      
   AARP Fraud Watch   
   A Look Back at 2016   
      
   Dear Ben,   
      
   Scam artists have been out in full force in 2016, relying on tried and true    
   scams to bilk billions from unsuspecting victims. Here are some of the most    
   frequently reported scams to the Fraud Watch Network hotline:   
      
       Tech support scam – You get a call from Microsoft (or another tech   
   company)    
   saying your computer has a virus that can be fixed for a fee. Don’t pull out    
   your credit card – simply hang up. Microsoft doesn’t make tech support calls.   
      
       IRS imposter scam – An official-looking letter from the IRS informs you of    
   taxes you owe related to the Affordable Care Act. The letter instructs you to    
   write a check payable to “IRS” and send it to an address in Austin, TX. The   
   red    
   flag is how the letter instructs you to write out the check – it would be to    
   the U.S. Treasury if the letter were real.   
      
       Sweepstakes scam – You get a personalized letter that tells you you’ve won    
   a million dollar prize, but you need to pay a fee or a tax in advance to    
   receive the funds. Legitimate sweepstakes will never require upfront payments.   
      
       Grandparent scam – You get a frantic call in the middle of the night from    
   someone claiming to be your grandchild, saying he’s in a bind and needs money    
   right away. He asks you to send money by wire transfer – the payment form of    
   choice for scam artists.   
      
       Fake charity scams – A scammer impersonating a real charity contacts you   
   to    
   ask for a donation. This happens a lot around the holidays and following    
   natural disasters.   
      
   As always at this time of year, holiday scams abound. Here are some tips and a    
   video on what to watch out for.   
      
   As we enter 2017, we’ll continue to alert you to the latest scams and frauds,    
   in the hope that we can all avoid falling victim to these tactics. All the   
   best    
   to you and yours for a scam-free New Year!   
      
      
   Sincerely,   
      
   Kristin Keckeisen   
   Fraud Watch Network   
      
   P.S. Spotted a scam?  Tell us about it.  Our scam-tracking map gives you    
   information about the latest scams targeting people in your state.  You’ll   
   also    
   find first-hand accounts from scam-spotters who are sharing their experiences    
   so you know how to protect yourself and your family.   
      
   The AARP Fraud Watch Network connects you to the latest information about ID    
   theft and fraud so you can safeguard your personal information and your    
   pocketbook.   
      
   AARP   
   601 E Street NW   
   Washington, DC 20049   
      
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   |                                                                    |   
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