In 2023 alone $10 billion was lost to scammers. In the first three quarters of 2024, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 22,000 fraud reports from Minnesota consumers, with losses totaling nearly $103 million.
“It’s such a huge problem,” said Cathy McLeer, AARP Minnesota state director.
“I remember someone called me and said ‘We’re from Bremer Bank and we just need the last four digits of your social,’” recalled Sheletta Brundidge during an interview with McLeer on the “The Sheletta Show”. “Here I am, in the middle of being with the kids and I gave them the last four digits of my social security number. After I hung up and took a breath I realized, damn, they got me.”
“Thank you for sharing your story, Sheletta,” said McLeer. “I think when people hear it’s happened to you, they know it can happen to anyone. It happens to our families, it happens to our neighbors, it happens to our friends,” McLeer added.
AARP wants to help us recognize scammers so we don’t fall victim. That’s why the organization is hosting a free online workshop on Jan. 30 featuring experts who can help Minnesotans learn what to look for so they don’t fall victim to the quick and cunning strategies scammers use.
McLeer said a good example is John in Falcon Heights. “Someone emailed John, claiming to be his pastor and asking for $2000 in gift cards so they could help someone John wanted to help,” McLeer described. She said John knew to check the address where the email was coming from. “He thought, wait a minute, that’s not the email that usually comes from my church. He realized it was a scam and called his church to verify. John did the right thing,” McLeer said.
The example proves how scammers constantly alter their tactics and prey on our empathy, compassion, and even our existing connections.
“It changes all the time and just when we figure out how they’re getting our money and we figure out how to stop them, they’re one step ahead of us, coming up with a new way to do it,” said McLeer.
The online workshop on Jan. 30 will feature insight from experts with the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, the Better Business Bureau and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office to help participants recognize when something is off. The workshop is free. You can join from your computer at home and you don’t have to be over 50 years old or a member of AARP.
“Knowledge is power. If you can spot the scams, you can stop the scams,” McLeer said.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network provides free information and resources to help Minnesotans protect their hard-earned dollars from fraud and scams. “We have specialists who can help you figure it all out and talk you through the process,” McLeer added.
Take advantage of the following free resources:
Scams to Spot in 2025
FREE Online Workshop
Thursday, January 30
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Online
Register at: aarp.org/MNevents
If you believe you have been scammed, you can speak with an expert from the AARP Fraud Watch Network by calling 877-908-3360. This toll-free service is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST.