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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

AARP Has Tips to Avoid Latest Holiday Scams, Fraud

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Wednesday, December 21, 2022   

The holiday shopping season is already in full swing, and AARP Arkansas has some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The latest AARP Fraud Watch Network report finds the most common concerns this year are related to online shopping, empty gift cards and package delivery scams.

Ashley McBride, state director of AARP Arkansas, said gift cards are favorites for many people, but scammers can manipulate gift cards on store racks, and can also use software to look online for activated cards with balances.

"Gift cards are very popular, with 67% of shoppers planning to purchase one this holiday season," McBride reported. "Increased risk comes with increased popularity; 26% of US consumers say they have given or received a gift card with no balance."

AARP recommended people purchase a gift card directly from the card issuer's website, rather than off a rack at a physical store, to ensure the card has a legitimate balance on it for goods from the merchant.

McBride also warned against purchasing from online or social media ads using what she calls peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, Zelle and Cash App, to pay for items. She advised the safest way to use the payment services is with trusted contacts.

"Those are increasing in popularity, with 53% of users saying it's likely that they will use one of those this holiday season," McBride stated. "But these apps provide an opportunity for criminals to increase the fraud, and to take money with little to no repercussions from the consumer and little to no way for the consumer to get their money back."

She suggested it may be better to use credit cards, which have more consumer protections built into the purchase.

And while people are shopping online, McBride cautioned to never click on a link directly from social media, or an unsolicited email or text saying they are having delivery issues with a package.

"It's best to type the web address of the site that you wish to visit directly into your browser," McBride recommended. "And also know that retailers will never contact you directly about a problem and request login information."

She added for shipping issues, connect directly with the retailer or the shipping carrier. And if you think you've been targeted for fraud, you can contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 877-908-3360.

Disclosure: AARP Arkansas contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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