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Government imposter scams, where criminals pose as government employees, are one of the most common scams. Pretending to be from Social Security is one of the top government imposter scams. In 2023, Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) received 73,626 reports of Social Security impersonators and related scams, a 13.7% increase from 2022. Here is what a Social Security imposter scam looks like: You receive a call, text, or email from someone claiming to be from Social Security. The phone number may be spoofed to look like i...
Over the past year, I have received numerous text messages from my bank indicating issues with my account. Surprisingly, some of these messages were from banks where I do not even hold an account. When I checked my accounts, I realized these texts were bank impersonation scams. In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that business and government impersonation scams accounted for nearly half the reported scams. The losses from these scams topped $1.1 billion last year, more than three times what consumers reported in 2020. In that...
Do you need help with a basic tax return? Tax-Aide volunteers provide free tax help to low- to middle-income Alaskans of all ages at sites across the state. You do not need to be an AARP member. Last year, Tax-Aide volunteers helped with 4,655 tax returns in Alaska. To locate the nearest Tax-Aide site, you can use the online AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator or call 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service of United Way that helps Alaskans find the assistance they need....
Gift cards have become a staple in the world of modern shopping. But before you grab one from that colorful kiosk, you should be aware of the potential pitfalls. While gift card sales skyrocketed from $130 billion in 2015 to $173 billion in 2021, they have also become a popular target for criminals as they can buy them anonymously and redeem them remotely. Researchers estimate that $40 to $50 billion is stolen through gift card scams each year. There are two typical scams involving gift cards: cards purchased that have a zero balance and gift...
As the holiday season kicks off, so does a wave of scams targeting those of us enjoying holiday activities. Here are some of the most prevalent scams to watch out for during this festive period. Online shopping scams As legitimate retailers launch their seasonal promotions, scammers are also intensifying their efforts to deceive bargain-hunting shoppers. These criminals create bogus websites and social media campaigns with amazing deals. If it is too good to be true, it is a scam. They impersonate major brands, using fake posts and...
Thinking about a trip this fall or planning a spring vacation? Here are a few tips to help you save money while traveling. - The most obvious way to save is to use your airline miles and companion coupons. To maximize the use of your airline miles, aim to book your travel about a year ahead, since airlines often have a limited number of mileage tickets for each flight. Additionally, flying on Tuesday or Wednesday can be cheaper, as tickets are often less expensive on these days. - Pack light...
It’s essential for everyone aged 18 and above to have a will, an advanced health care directive, and a durable power of attorney in place. However, many people haven’t done this yet. The reason could be our natural discomfort when it comes to discussing topics like death or the potential loss of our ability to sign legal documents. As we grow older, these conversations become increasingly important. If you’re assisting a friend or family member, it’s crucial to ensure that they have all the necessary paperwork completed. Remember, these d...
Women face unique challenges when preparing for retirement, from longer lifespans to income inequality and employment impacts from family caregiving. Considering these realities, women should prioritize early retirement planning and investment strategies to ensure financial security in their later years. Longer lives, lower earnings Statistically, women have a longer lifespan than men, which translates to additional years spent in retirement. Women age 65 or older can anticipate living until age 87, compared to age 84 for men. Income...
Social Security plays a crucial role in supporting retirees and ensuring financial stability for many Alaskans. One in seven Alaska residents (107,982 people) receive the Social Security benefits they’ve earned through a lifetime of hard work. These guaranteed payments remain stable throughout retirement, unlike investments tied to the stock market or employer-based decisions. These funds are a primary income source for most retirees and inject more than $1.7 billion into the state’s economy every year. In Alaska, the average monthly pay...
The Federal Trade Commission recently shared its 2023 fraud report, “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2023.” I looked at the data for Alaska and was shocked to see that 6,456 Alaskans reported losing 20.5 million dollars in 2023. Impostor scams are the top reported fraud in Alaska, making up 22% of all reported scams. These scams generally start with an unsolicited call, email, text, or social media message posing as someone you trust—your bank, a business you know, or even a government agency. Criminals play on our emotions by creat...
AARP’s mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age. The more money you have for retirement, the more choices you have as you age. This year AARP Alaska is focusing on helping people young and old prepare to be financially fit in retirement. We want people to think about retirement, learn about Social Security, and keep the money they have saved away from scammers. In April, AARP Alaska is hosting a four-part webinar series: saving for retirement, protecting yourself from scams, retiring as a state employee and i...
On June 30, 2020, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) issued guidance documents to nursing facilities and assisted living homes on the critical issue of how to re-establish in-person visitation for all residents living in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Given the devastating number of deaths COVID-19 has caused in other states, AARP Alaska is concerned about the 830 Alaskans living in nursing facilities and the 2,743 Alaskan seniors living in assisted living homes. AARP’s overarching goal is to ensure the safety and w...
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), there have been over 20,300 COVID-19 complaints carrying an estimated $15.6 million in losses since the start of 2020. U.S. service members and veterans should take particular notice because these fraudsters have tailored their fake pitches to mix the pandemic with top concerns of those who’ve worn a military uniform. AARP’s Fraud Watch Network and Operation Protect Veterans initiative have received reports of COVID-19 treatment scams, fake charity pitches claiming to help veteran and mil...
Even in the best of times, social isolation is a significant problem. In Alaska, 42,898 people over the age of 50 live alone and are at higher risk of social isolation, which is now magnified by the “social distancing” requirements across the country. That’s worrisome. In fact, the World Health Organization was so concerned that the “social distancing” directive was contributing to isolation that it has modified the wording of its guidance: It now urges people to practice “physical distancing” to prevent the spread of the virus. Make no mista...
Working at the office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman, I am often asked, “What exactly, do you do?” The answer is simple, we visit elders who live in assisted living homes and nursing facilities. We listen to what they have to say and work to resolve any problems they are having. Elders face a range of problems from disliking the food being served or staff being mean to elders, to physical and sexual assault. As Long Term Care Ombudsman, our job is to resolve the problem to the satisfaction of the elder. If the elder is not able to com...
On May 31, Governor Walker announced the 2017 Governor's Denali Peak Performance Award winners. Alvin Ancheta, Leana Christy and Lisa Gowdy from the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman won the Customer Service Excellence Team Award. This award is given to individuals who provide prompt, courteous service that is above and beyond the norm. The mission of the Office of the Long Term Care Ombudsman (OLTCO) is to resolve issues for elders who live in assisted living and nursing homes in Alaska....
As Long Term Care Ombudsmen for Alaska, our mission is to meet with residents of assisted living homes and nursing facilities to see if they have any issues they need assistance in resolving. An important part of this process is to make sure residents and their families know there is a Long Term Care Ombudsman to help them if they need it. Established by the Older Americans Act, the Long Term Care Ombudsman program is federally and state mandated to provide independent oversight and advocacy services to residents in Alaska’s nursing f...
