NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the holidays approach, the Tennessee Department of Commerce warns buyers that if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Tennessee's high ranking for fraud and financial abuse complaints to the Federal Trade Commission has motivated local groups to come together to help prevent scams.

Kevin Walters, communications director at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, said it's a real challenge.

"Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They are cunning and they're ruthless and, a lot of times, they're anonymous,” Walters said. “And they can use technology to cloak phone numbers to hide their location."

He said this year, cases of fraud and financial abuse are up more than 33 percent statewide.

Doing research on special offers and charitable groups is key, especially during the holiday season. Walters warned that scammers use these organizations as a cover to take advantage of a person's good nature - and it's okay to say "no" to giving your financial information to anyone over the phone.

"If someone's contacting you to get that information and you've never spoken to them before, and they're calling you out of the blue, again, that's a red flag that they're probably after more than just a donation to their charity,” he said. “They're probably after much more than that, and it could lead to some real problems down the road for you and your family."

In 2017, the FTC said Tennesseans filed more than 43,000 fraud reports, totaling losses of almost $14 million.

Walters added seniors and adults with disabilities are among the most vulnerable targets for scams. TDHS Adult Protective Services received more than 4,000 complaints of financial exploitation in the past year.

"So, the problem of fraud and identity theft is growing, across Tennessee and all segments of the population, in particular for elderly and vulnerable adults,” Walters said.

He said it's important to report scams to local law enforcement, and get information from the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.


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At least 10,000 people retire every day in the United States, with nearly half of them relying on Social Security as their sole source of income.

As lawmakers debate cuts to social service programs, AARP Nebraska has launched a campaign to draw attention to its importance.

AARP Nebraska's "90 days to 90 years" marks the Social Security administration's anniversary in August.

AARP Nebraska state director Todd Stubbendieck said in its 90 years, Social Security has never missed a payment to recipients - and a lot of Nebraskans are relying on that money.

"Forty-three percent of Nebraskans rely on Social Security for at least 50% of their family income, and 17% rely on Social Security for 90% of their income," said Stubbendieck. "So, this program, has direct impacts both on our state and at the individual level."

AARP Nebraska is encouraging Social Security recipients to add their names to an online Pledge for Action to support Social Security, which turns 90 years old on August 15.

Federal lawmakers are debating cuts to federal programs in the Trump administration's budget reconciliation bill that could include changes in Social Security benefits.

Stubbendieck said reductions to the service would be historic.

"I think one of the best things about Social Security is that it has always been a bipartisan issue," said Stubbendieck. "For 65 years, AARP has worked with every president and every Congress on Social Security, so we're confident it will continue to be a bipartisan, popular initiative."

Nearly 371,000 Nebraskans, or nearly one in five people, receive a total of more than $7.7 billion in Social Security benefits every year.

Next Monday marks the beginning of "PROTECT" week, when AARP helps seniors learn the signs of financial fraud.

Experts say Maryland seniors can protect themselves and their finances through education. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost nearly $5 billion due to fraud in 2024, increasing 25% from the previous year. A poll from the University of Michigan found 75% of adults from ages 50 to 80 experienced a scam attempt, and 30% experienced fraud.

Karen Morgan, a member of the AARP Maryland executive council, said a government agency would never call someone out of the blue if there's a problem.

"If the caller is asking or demanding that you do something immediately, that's a huge red flag," she said. "If they're telling you that there's something urgent that you're about to be arrested, that's a huge red flag. You can't get arrested over the phone."

Victims age 60 and older experienced an average loss of more than $80,000, according to AARP.

Jane Dean was a victim of senior financial fraud. She received a call from someone posing as a government agent for the Social Security Administration. Eventually, she paid the scammers more than $25,000.

She said one of the biggest lessons from her own fraud case is taking a pause when you receive an alarming call. She explained that thinking the situation through could save someone from losing thousands of dollars.

"They just need to stop. Stop and just dial it back when you find yourself in a heightened emotional state in response to either a text, phone or email," she said. "That's the most important thing. Put the brakes on."

AARP is streaming a number of free workshops, town halls and interviews on elder financial abuse from Monday through June 20.

June is Brain Awareness Month, and experts say Virginia seniors should consider decluttering their homes to improve brain health.

According to an expert with Hacksensack Meridian Health, decluttering can decrease stress, improve sleep quality, and increase focus.

Leslie Pendleton, community ambassador with AARP Virginia, said she often sees two types of seniors who want to declutter - those who have retired, and those who have begun to experience health struggles.

"Health issues that crop up that are signs that people need to start thinking about downsizing," said Pendleton, "and to downsize, you've got to declutter. That's the first part of the process. You can't take it all with you, in other words."

Experts with Nuvance Health says clutter makes it difficult for your brain to focus on one specific thing, splitting your attention and causing sensory overload.

They say constant sensory overload can lead to increased mental fatigue.

But who should be involved in the decluttering process? Many seniors have children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews that may desire to keep some of their relative's treasures.

Pendleton said having a plan about who gets what is essential.

"It can create family turmoil if the person who is downsizing and decluttering doesn't already have some form of an estate plan in place, a will," said Pendleton. "They haven't necessarily thought out who they want to have what, so that's part of the process too."

Pendleton added that younger people are part of what she calls the 'IKEA generation,' often having less clutter and wanting less things.

Those interested in learning more can are encouraged to sign-up for an upcoming ARP Virginia decluttering workshop led by Pendleton.