AARP offers tips to avoid fraud

Vigilance is encouraged in the aftermath of a crisis

Joshua Kiser
Guest opinion
The Valley Echo
October 28, 2024

The fraudsters are coming out in force. 

In times of crisis, fraudsters thrive. Western N.C. is in crisis, so stay vigilant. Here are some tips:

Fraudsters play on emotions. They might scare you with threats like, “You missed jury duty and the sheriff is coming unless you pay by gift cards.” Or they might excite you with, “You won a car and $1000. Call us to claim your prize.” They aim to cloud your judgment. Take a deep breath and think..

If someone asks for payment by gift cards, avoid them. If an email has a link or attachment, ensure you know the sender. Never open links or attachments from unknown sources. Verify the sender’s information yourself.

Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit card companies can often help retrieve money lost to fraud. With a debit card, your money is likely gone.

Charity scams are common. Verify organizations before donating. Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) or the NC Secretary of State (sosnc.gov).

Use strong passwords for every account. The longer and stronger, the better. For example, “The fall weather in North Carolina is beautiful in October 2024!” can become “TfwiNibinO’24!”

If you think you are a victim of fraud, call the North Carolina Attorney General’s office at 919-716-6400. For questions about fraud/scams, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. The service is free to everyone. For the latest fraud news and advice, visit aarp.org/fraudwatch..

Joshua Kiser is a sergeant with the Black Mountain Police Department and AARP Fraud Fighter Volunteer.