While a large majority of Americans suspect that most of the automated telephone messages – or “robocalls” -- that they receive are attempts at scams, few are taking actions to protect themselves, according to results of a new survey from the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

Most Americans feel uneasy about their money management and financial futures. To help address these concerns and provide actionable tips and consumers can take today, AARP Studios announced today a new five-part Fishing for Advice video series.

AARP today released the first in a series of new episodes of its popular podcast The Perfect ScamSM, featuring stories from real scam victims and fraud prevention tips.

As Valentine’s Day approaches and millions of Americans meet others on matchmaking websites, dating apps and social media, 27 percent of those polled in a new AARP survey reported that they, a family member or a friend have encountered attempted financial scams while seeking friendship or love interest online.

WASHINGTON, DC—Information stolen in computer breaches of well-known companies is flooding into an underground digital market called the Dark Web, where criminals buy and sell Social Security numbers, credit card information and computer passwords to be used for fraud, an investigation in the September issue of AARP Bulletin reveals. Using software originally developed by the U.S. Navy and available for free to anyone who wishes to download it, criminals buy and sell private data with complete anonymity, then use it to commit identity fraud. Approximately 6.6 percent of U.S. adults were victimized last year, the report shows, and allegedly, more than half of Americans’ Social Security numbers are for sale for as low as a few dollars each. The article also details how identity fraud typically occurs, and the many proven, powerful ways consumers can protect themselves.

WASHINGTON, DC—As data breach incidents proliferate, a new AARP survey finds that an alarming number of people have failed to take the basic precautions against identity fraud. In response, the AARP Fraud Watch Network today launched a campaign to raise awareness of identity theft risks and educate consumers on how to enhance the safety of their personal information.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — AARP announced today the launch of “An AARP Take on Today,” a weekly podcast hosted by Bob Edwards, the original and longtime host of NPR’s flagship program “Morning Edition.” Each new episode will feature in-depth news interviews on timely topics with guest experts on health, work, money, aging, entertainment and more.

WASHINGTON, DC—As AARP today launches its second annual “Operation: Stop Scams” -- a five-week-long series of more than 150 free document-shredding events and fraud education activities in communities coast-to-coast – a new AARP survey finds that almost half of consumers ignore experts’ recommendations to regularly shred their sensitive financial records.

WASHINGTON, DC—As the federal government undertakes a major initiative to issue new identification cards to the nation’s 58 million Medicare beneficiaries, an AARP survey finds that a majority of those enrollees are at risk of being victimized by fraud schemes designed to capitalize on the card replacement program.

WASHINGTON, DC — AARP announced today the launch of “The Perfect Scam”, a weekly podcast profiling America’s most shocking consumer scam stories.