AARP 2014 Annual Report Download - page 10

8 2014 AARP ANNUAL REPORT
SOCIAL IMPACT: FIGHTING FRAUD
>The AARP Fraud Watch Network is offered free of charge to people of all ages.
>Free resources included scam e-alerts, a fraud hotline manned by real people and
The Con Artists’ Playbook— interviews with criminals who reveal how they steal
victims’ hard-earned money.
>Fraud-fighting has deep roots at AARP, from warnings about medical quackery in
the 1960s to teaming with the FBI in the 1990s to bust telemarketing scams.
“Someone called stating they
were from the IRS and I owed
some money. I was urged to call
a certain phone number before
legal action was taken against
me.” —Joyce, from Arkansas
ARMING CONSUMERS TO FIGHT FRAUD
AARP launched the Fraud Watch Network in 2013 to arm people
with the tools they need to spot and avoid scams. More than 1,300
events were held in 35 states in 2014, and nearly 3,000 people
shared their stories on AARP’s scam-tracking map to alert others.
In South Dakota, AARP conducted a
66-county tour to educate people on pro-
tecting themselves from scams and fraud.
At AARP’s Ideas@50+ event, held in San
Diego in September, former con artist and
best-selling author Frank Abagnale shared
his personal story and tips to a stand-
ing-room-only crowd.
“Scam Jams” held in New Hampshire and
Washington State drew hundreds of peo-
ple to hear from AARP fraud expert Doug
Shadel, local bank officials and representa-
tives from the Federal Trade Commission.
Extensive media coverage empowered
millions of consumers to protect themselves
and others. “There are not enough investi-
gators and prosecutors to handle the unbe-
lievable surge in this activity,” Shadel said.
“Knowledge is power. Pass it on!”
Doug Shadel
Photo by Bruce Carlson