Kathy Stokes, Senior Director of Fraud Prevention Programs at AARP Fraud Watch Network discussed the holiday scams and ongoing rip-offs that are circulating today, especially the digital cons. Nearly 9 in 10 adults have experienced at least one type of fraud in the past year including fake toll-payment requests and fraudulent charity requests. We touched on the usual crimes such as package theft and fake Social Security and IRS demands and also discussed the dangers of peer-to-peer payments apps and social media scams.  

Kathy recommends vigilance and using a credit card for payments, they can add insurance and halt-payment help if fraud is detected. She discussed how AARP and its agents and volunteers  

Work to prevent fraud in partnership with local, federal and even international crime prevention agencies.  

She asks us to be informed and to visit aarp.org/holidayscams2025 for more information. She also recommended fightelderfraud.org for more resources. There is also a number to call to report fraud and speak with a counselor between 8A and 8P Monday through Fridays, 877-908-3360