Empowering Consumers Against the Latest Scams

At AARP, we constantly track the latest fraud scams to stay one step ahead of scammers. Scammers are getting more sophisticated, but AARP New York is here with the latest trends, so you can stay one step ahead of those trying to steal your money.  

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• Crypto ATM scams are common because they’re incredibly hard to trace. A fraudster will convince someone that investing in cryptocurrency is a sure thing, then give them detailed instructions to deposit money in one of these special crypto ATM machines you may have seen in your community.
• Financial grooming scams (also known as “Pig Butchering”) prey on lonely and vulnerable people, often divorced or widowed. The scammer reaches out and showers the person with affection for a period then comes in for the kill, asking for money.

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Here are five common scams to watch for in 2026:

• Employment scams feature a job offer that may be too good to be true. The person doing the hiring makes away with identification info and upfront fees.
• Recovery scams are when thieves contact victims of previous scams to help them recover stolen money. They require an administrative fee and personal info, like your social security number.
• Digital arrest is when a fake cop contacts you, saying you’re being named in an investigation. Then they interrogate you through long video calls, until you pay fees.
• “Hello pervert” is usually how the scammer addresses this sextortion. The thief says they’ve recorded you going on porn sites and try to extort money from you. They threaten to tell loved ones about a porn habit.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment scams are through payment apps, like Venmo or Zelle. The scammer will say someone you know is in trouble and they need money sent through a payment app. Or they might “accidentally” send you money and ask you to send it back. Their initial payment bounces, and you end up losing the money you sent back.

These scams take a toll. In 2024, New Yorkers lost $253 million to these thieves, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center’s Elder Fraud Report. Complaints increased by 46%, and associated losses increased by 43% in 2024. New York had the fourth highest number of complaints filed by people over the age of 60 and is the fourth highest in monetary losses in this age group.

• In 2024, consumers of all ages reported losing more than $16.6 billion to fraud, marking a 33% increase over the previous year.
• The most commonly reported scam category was phishing/spoofing scams, with losses of nearly $70 million.
• Investment scams led to the highest reported losses once more, totaling more than $6.6 billion in 2024.
• The median loss for scam victims over the age of 60 was more than $83,000.
• New Yorkers age 60 and over reported a loss of $257,704,709, compared to $203,437,635 in 2023. Staying informed about the latest scams: Keep up with the latest scam alerts from reliable sources like the FTC and AARP Fraud Watch Network. Sign up for fraud alerts and updates to stay aware of new scam tactics.

Resources:

AARP Fraud Watch Network: Get the latest fraud news and scam fighting advice.

Fraud Victim Support: Free, confidential discussion groups

Helpline: Call 877-908-3360. Toll-free service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET

Report a Scam: See scams in your area with the Scam-Tracking Map.

Veterans Fraud Center: Download a free copy of the AARP Watchdog Alert Handbook: Veterans Edition

Watchdog Alerts: Get regular updates on the latest scams by email or text.