A new study by AARP shows that fraud is widespread and a growing concern. Nearly four in 10 U.S. adults, or about 103 million people, have already experienced fraud, and an estimated 159 million people fear they will become a victim.
Just under a third of adults (30%) say their biggest fear is being targeted themselves, followed by losing money with no way to get it back (21%) and seeing a loved one sacrificed (15%). These concerns highlight both the economic and psychological toll of these crimes and reflect how pervasive and personal the threat has become.
The report also found that 9 out of 10 Americans agree that fraud can happen to anyone. One in six adults say they answer a phone call (11%) or respond to a text message (5%) from an unknown contact, and almost half say they download a free app or take an online quiz on social media that could expose their personal data. Gaps in digital security also remain, including password reuse, limited use of private virtual networks on public Wi-Fi, and low adoption of multi-factor authentication.
AARP Florida is one of more than a dozen states that recently passed legislation regulating virtual currency kiosks, which are often used by criminals as a fraudulent payment method. If approved by Governor DeSantis, this bill would add important protections for Floridians who use virtual currency kiosks. Kiosk operators will be required to register with the state, clearly warn users about scams and provide customers with detailed receipts. The law also helps protect the financial security of seniors who are targeted by crypto-related scams by limiting daily transaction amounts and guaranteeing a full refund for a customer’s first fraudulent transaction if it is timely reported as fraud.
“Criminals are persistent and awareness alone won’t stop them,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP Florida state director. “That’s why AARP is here in Florida’s communities – providing practical tools, trusted guidance and support so people can better protect themselves and their loved ones.”
