AARP Pennsylvania is warning consumers about the growing threat of phishing scams. Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to steal personal and financial information through emails, phone calls, text messages, and fake website. 

With scammers becoming more sophisticated, the AARP says staying informed is key to protecting yourself. 

According to the FBI's latest Internet Crimes Report, phishing scams were the most frequently reported cybercrime in 2023, with nearly 300,000 complaints and more than $18.7 million in reported losses. 

However, the AARP says the losses are likely much higher due to underreporting. 

"Phishing scams have been around for decades, but they are more deceptive than ever,” said Mary Bach, AARP Pennsylvania Volunteer and Chair of the Consumer Issues Task Force. “Scammers pose as trusted businesses or government agencies to trick you into giving up sensitive information.”

Phishing scams often claim an account has been compromised, a package delivery has failed, or a legal action is pending. Scammer may even manipulate caller ID to appear legitimate, making scams harder to detect. 

To help consumers stay safe, the AARP recommends: 

  • Verify the sender by checking email addresses and phone numbers carefully.
  • Avoid clicking links or opening attachments in suspicious messages. Instead, visit the organization’s official website.
  • Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
  • Report suspicious messages to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportphishing@apwg.org.