TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – AARP Kansas hosted a free Shred Event on April 4 in light of Fraud Prevention Month.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers in Kansas reported $57.6 million in fraud losses in 2024. Those scams commonly involved impostors and identity theft.
AARP is taking steps to prevent scams and identity theft. Recently, Gov. Laura Kelly issued a proclamation recognizing April as Fraud Prevention Month and the importance of protecting the information of Kansans.
Saturday’s Shred Event allowed the community to drop off documents for shredding, ensuring their personal information does not end up in the wrong hands.
AARP Kansas invites the public to stay up to date on the latest scams with their free biweekly text alerts. Text “FWN” to 50757 for scam updates.
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This remains the most prevalent form of financial crime globally. It targets the direct access points to your money: your cards and your bank accounts.
- Skimming: Criminals use small devices called “skimmers” placed over ATM or point-of-sale card slots to capture the data from your card’s magnetic strip.
- Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud: This occurs during online shopping where a physical card isn’t required. Thieves use stolen card numbers, expiry dates, and CVV codes to make unauthorized purchases.
- Account Takeover (ATO): A hacker gains access to your online banking credentials (often through malware or phishing) and changes the contact details or passwords, locking you out while they drain your funds.