Fraud remains a growing concern for Connecticut residents, with new research from AARP indicating that a significant portion of the population has either experienced scams or fears becoming a victim.According to AARP, nearly four in ten U.S. adults—about 103 million people— have already experienced fraud, while approximately 159 million are concerned about falling victim. The data also shows that 30 percent of adults identify being personally targeted as their primary fear, followed by losing money with no way to recover it and concerns about loved ones being victimized.
“Criminals are persistent, and awareness alone won’t stop them,” said Nora Duncan, AARP Connecticut State Director. “That’s why AARP is active in Connecticut communities—providing practical tools, trusted guidance, and support so people can better protect themselves and their loved ones”.
In response, AARP Connecticut is marking April as Fraud Prevention Month with a series of free in-person and virtual events aimed at educating residents about emerging threats and prevention strategies.
Among the programs is “Unmasking Modern Scams: Stopping Today’s Biggest Fraud Threats,” which will be held April 22 in East Hartford and April 23 in Stamford. The sessions will feature a Connecticut resident sharing their experience with a relationship scam that resulted in nearly $1 million in losses, along with presentations from the head of the AARP Fraud Helpline and a representative from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
AARP officials said the events will address a range of increasingly sophisticated scams, including AIdriven impersonation schemes, cryptocurrency investment fraud, online shopping scams, and relationship-based deception.
A separate virtual program, “Webinar Wednesday: Protecting Yourself from Deception and Fraud,” is scheduled for April 29. The session will focus on identifying common scams, reviewing real-world examples such as fraudulent emails and text messages, and explaining how emerging technologies like deepfakes are contributing to the complexity of fraud schemes.
The research also highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in consumer behavior. Nine in ten Americans believe fraud can happen to anyone, yet one in six adults report responding to calls or messages from unknown contacts. Additionally, many continue to engage in online activities that may expose personal information, such as downloading free apps or participating in social media quizzes.
Digital security gaps remain a concern, including the reuse of passwords, limited use of secure networks on public Wi-Fi, and low adoption of multifactor authentication.
At the state level, Governor Ned Lamont has proclaimed April as Fraud Prevention Awareness Month in Connecticut. AARP Connecticut continues to work with lawmakers on bipartisan efforts to strengthen consumer protections, including legislation addressing the seizure of virtual currency connected to fraudulent activity.
The AARP Fraud Watch Network offers ongoing support through a helpline, educational alerts, and a national scam-tracking tool designed to help residents identify and report fraud.
Officials said the goal of the April programming is to provide residents with practical knowledge and tools to better recognize and avoid scams as threats continue to evolve.
