One of the big problems facing our country right now isn’t a partisan issue. It’s a crime. And America’s seniors are increasingly the targets.
Every day, scammers—often operating through massive, international networks—are stealing the life savings of older Americans who have worked hard, played by the rules, and saved responsibly for retirement. These are not harmless scams or isolated incidents. It’s organized theft on a scale that should concern every American who believes in law and order.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers stole as much as $81.5 billion from seniors in 2024. This is money that people were relying on for retirement and that could have been spent in our local communities. For many older Americans, fraud has lasting, life-changing consequences, forcing them to declare bankruptcy, sell their longtime homes, or rely on family just to make ends meet.
At AARP, we’ve been fighting fraud for years. But we’re ramping up our efforts because this threat is growing and becoming more complex by the day. Today’s scammers aren’t just lone bad actors on laptops. They’re global organized crime syndicates using advanced technology, psychological manipulation, and financial loopholes to drain older Americans’ bank accounts—and we’ve had enough.
The good news is that there’s strong support across party lines for stopping fraud and protecting older Americans’ heard-earned money—and AARP is working with our elected officials to make it happen.
For example, when crypto ATM fraud began to emerge as a major concern affecting more and more people across the country, AARP quickly took action.
Here’s how these crypto ATM scams work. Criminals reach out to their targets, pretending to be police officers, bank employees, or some other official. They intimidate their victims with urgent threats, claiming they owe money or will be arrested unless they deposit a large amount of cash into a crypto ATM right away. The victim is told to deposit the cash at one of these crypto ATMs, which are often found in gas stations and convenience stores. The cash is then sent to the criminal, with almost no chance of recovery.
AARP has led the charge to enact laws that protect Americans from crypto ATM fraud in nearly 30 states, with more on the way. And, because we know these machines are used almost exclusively for fraudulent activity, we’ll continue to speak out against any efforts that would undo these much-needed safeguards.
In D.C., Congress has the power to fight fraud, too, and is considering numerous, bipartisan bills that would help address this growing problem. The GUARD Act would give law enforcement officers in our communities the funding, tools, and training they need to investigate today’s complex scams and the criminals behind them. Another bill, the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act, would help law enforcement, adult protective services, and prosecutors better coordinate their efforts to crack down on criminals and stop fraudulent activity.
We also can’t overlook the many people who have had money stolen by scammers and are now trying to deal with the aftermath. Under the current tax code, some fraud victims are forced to pay taxes on money that was stolen from them. AARP is backing the Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams, and Disasters Act so that these individuals are not punished twice—first by criminals and then again when they file their taxes.
At a time when there is so much division in Washington, passing these bipartisan bills is a no-brainer and a win for everyone.
Fraud weakens trust—trust in institutions, trust in technology, and trust within families. When criminals get away with stealing our retirement savings, it sends a signal that bad actors can operate without consequences. That’s unacceptable in a country that prides itself on fairness, responsibility, and the rule of law. America’s seniors deserve to know their government takes this threat seriously and will stand with them.
AARP will continue to fight fraud by educating consumers andsupporting victims through our Fraud Watch Network and advocating for commonsense solutions that protect older Americans’ hard earned money. This isn’t a political debate. It’s about stopping crime and upholding the values that make our communities strong.
No one should lose everything to a criminal scam. America can—and must—do better.
John Hishta is the Senior Vice President of Campaigns at AARP, where he leads nationwide efforts to elevate the voices of Americans 50 and older on the issues that matter most, including Social Security, family caregiving, and fraud.
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