1. Work-From-Home Job Scams
Many Americans are on the hunt for the perfect remote job or side hustle, and criminal scammers are ready to exploit these ambitions. With work-from-home jobs increasing in popularity and employment scams on the rise, now is a great time to review the warning signs of a shady job posting.
Beware of any job that offers a large income with little to no training or experience. Likewise, avoid any position that requires you to pay in advance for certification, training, or equipment. Business offers guaranteed to “pay off quickly” or “double your investment” are also highly suspicious.
Make sure to check that job sites specializing in remote work screen the openings and companies listed, and don’t assume a position is genuine just because it was posted on a legitimate job board. It could still be a scam. Furthermore, it's important to be cautious of online testimonials; work-at-home sites are full of fake personal stories of people claiming to make thousands of dollars a month because they took advantage of this “amazing opportunity.”
2. Toll Road Scams
Planning to take a road trip soon? Gas prices and traffic jams aren’t your only concern. Cybercriminals are now deceiving drivers into paying fake highway tolls. Here’s what you need to know:
Beware of text messages appearing to be from a highway authority or transponder company like E-ZPass, notifying you of unpaid highway tolls. These messages include a link to a fake version of the sender’s website and may threaten significant fees if you don't pay your balance immediately. Providing payment not only charges you for tolls you don’t owe, but could provide these criminals with your credit card details. Clicking on the link may also expose your device to malware.
If you receive a text message notifying you of unpaid highway tolls, don’t respond. If you are concerned that an unpaid toll message could be legitimate, contact the toll road authority or your transponder provider if you have one.
3. Peer-to-Peer Payment Scams
Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App have made sending money between family and friends easier than ever before. But consumers beware: while these apps make exchanging money fast and convenient, they also make it quick and seamless for criminal scammers to steal your money.
You may hear from a loved one claiming to be in trouble - and they need your financial help fast via a P2P app. Another tactic used by criminals involves offering a “discount” for a product on an online marketplace, but only if payment is made through a P2P app.
Scammers can also spoof payments to make it seem like they “accidentally” sent you money on a P2P service. They will innocently ask you to return it, but shortly after, their initial payment to you will bounce like a bad check, leaving you short any funds you sent them.
It’s best to use P2P apps to send money to friends, family, and other people you know and trust. P2P apps do not have the same consumer protections that credit cards have. Transactions are like paying cash - instantaneous and usually irreversible. If you receive an unexpected payment, don’t accept it and report it to the app provider.
4. AARP Fraud Watch Network’s Watchdog Alert
Research shows that people who are familiar with how a scam works are 80% less likely to engage in it, but how can you stay up to speed when criminals are constantly changing their tactics? One great tool available is the AARP Fraud Watch Network’s Watchdog Alert.
The Watchdog Alert is a scam update that comes twice a month to your email or phone. It lets you know about the latest scams trending across the country and how you can spot and avoid them. The Watchdog Alert will help you understand the red flags to look out for and what to do if you think you’ve experienced a scam. It’s also easy to share with friends and family, and it’s completely free!
To get alerts by text, simply text “FWN” to 50757. For the email version, sign up at
aarp.org/watchdogalerts.
