The AARP has issued a stark warning for the coming year, publishing its list of the top five scams that consumers must guard against in 2026. The threats range from age-old deceptions like romance fraud to terrifyingly sophisticated new campaigns such as digital arrest. This alert comes as the scam industry continues to boom, with reported losses skyrocketing since 2020.
An Epidemic of High-Value Fraud
The scale of the problem is staggering. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cited by the AARP, the number of adults aged 60 and over reporting losses of $10,000 or more from impostor scams alone more than quadrupled in 2024 compared to 2020. Even more alarming, reported losses of $100,000 or more in this demographic jumped from $55 million to a colossal $445 million in the same period. Experts caution that as fraud is vastly underreported, the true figures are likely far higher.
The AARP's Five Major Threats for 2026
The organisation has pinpointed five key scams set to plague consumers: employment scams, recovery scams, digital arrest, the "Hello pervert" scam, and romance scams.
Employment Scams: Exploiting a tough labour market, these cons promise fake jobs via online ads, social media, or by impersonating real companies. The FTC advises job seekers to research companies thoroughly, ignore unexpected job offers via text, and never pay money upfront for a role.
Recovery Scams: This cruel double-hit sees criminals first steal money, then pose as a recovery service to help get it back—for another fee. The AARP warns consumers never to pay upfront for recovery services and to be wary of checks for more than the lost amount.
Digital Arrest Scams: Perhaps the most harrowing threat, this involves criminals posing as law enforcement on video calls, accusing victims of crimes and threatening arrest unless a settlement is paid. The interrogation can last for days, using AI-generated deepfakes to appear legitimate. The AARP noted a tragic case from Hyderabad, India, where a retired doctor died from a heart attack after enduring nearly 70 hours of such surveillance.
"Hello Pervert" Scams: A classic blackmail tactic, scammers claim to have recorded the victim visiting adult sites and demand payment to avoid exposure. The ruse often starts with a malicious PDF email attachment. The advice is clear: do not open attachments from unknown senders and stay calm under pressure.
Romance Scams: Also known as catfishing, these scams prey on loneliness. Criminals create fake profiles, often using details gleaned from social media, and build a relationship before fabricating a crisis to request money. A key red flag is love bombing—an overwhelming rush of affection used to quickly control the relationship.
How to Stay Protected
Vigilance and scepticism are the first lines of defence. Whether it's an unsolicited job offer, a too-perfect romantic partner, or a threatening official, verifying identities independently is crucial. The AARP and FTC stress that legitimate entities will never demand immediate payment or personal details under threat, nor ask for fees to secure employment. As fraud tactics evolve, staying informed about these top five scams is essential for consumer protection in 2026 and beyond.
