Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy
Posted on 12/04/24
A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.
This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.
Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.
In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:
- Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.
- Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.
- Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.
- It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like www.aarp.org.
To read the full report and learn more visit: www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024
AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.
Notice (8): Undefined index: state [APP/Model/Event.php, line 325]Code Context$aggregate = [];$EventRadius = ClassRegistry::init('EventRadius');$towns_list = array_values(array_merge($EventRadius->getTownSefs(Globals::$currentTownUrl,'aarp'),[$national, strtolower(Globals::$currentTown['state'])]));$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
Notice (8): Undefined index: state [APP/Model/Event.php, line 338]Code Context'$ne' => ['$state',Globals::$currentTown['state']$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '240925' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; 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--grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '240925' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; 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--grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 12/04/24 </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>A new 2024 <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup></a></span></span> report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%) U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud this year – including gift card scams, counterfeit products, phishing attempts disguised as delivery notifications, and more. The research also shows many consumers are not aware of the types of fraud they may come across when shopping online.<br><br>This year, more than half (56%) of consumers reported receiving a notification from someone saying they were from USPS, FedEx, or UPS about a shipment problem that ultimately turned out to be fraudulent, which nearly doubled compared to 2022 (29%). Likewise, nearly two-thirds of consumers (64%) are unaware that online retailers will not ask for personal login information to provide them with customer support.<br><br>Ads on social media continue to be a source for targeting consumers with over a third (35%) saying they experienced fraud when purchasing a product through an online ad. This highlights the importance of safe internet browsing and using caution when clicking ads that may appear legitimate.<br><br>In addition to the survey on consumers’ personal experiences with scams, AARP asked survey respondents to answer a 10-question fraud knowledge quiz. Disturbingly, knowledge on some questions has declined over the last two years. Here’s some important advice for consumers:<br></p><ul><li>Retailers will never request your login information to provide customer support.</li><li>Be wary of free trial offers as they often lead to expensive subscriptions that are difficult to cancel.</li><li>Peer-to-peer payment apps do not carry the same consumer protections as a credit card. Only use these apps with people and businesses you know and trust.</li><li>It’s risky to do a web search for a company’s customer support number because criminals buy ads impersonating those companies. Check billing and credit card statements for customer service, use the number on the back of your credit cards, or go directly to the company online by typing in their web address, like <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org</a></span></span>.</li></ul><p>To read the full report and learn more visit: <span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="http://www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.aarp.org/holidayscams2024</a></span></span><br></p><div class="Enhancement" > <div class="Enhancement-item"><figure class="Figure" data-alignment="center"> <img src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/95/5a/8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c/holiday-scams.jpg" alt="Holiday-Scams" width="520" height="353"/> </figure> </div> </div><p><span class="Enhancement" ><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AARP Fraud Watch Network</a></span></span><u><sup>TM</sup></u> is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams, and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. AARP Fraud Watch Network<sup>TM</sup> also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.<br><br><br><br></p></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>325</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $aggregate </span><span style="color: #007700">= [];</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $EventRadius </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">ClassRegistry</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">init</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'EventRadius'</span><span style="color: #007700">);</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> $towns_list </span><span style="color: #007700">= </span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_values</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">array_merge</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$EventRadius</span><span style="color: #007700">-></span><span style="color: #0000BB">getTownSefs</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTownUrl</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'aarp'</span><span style="color: #007700">),[</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$national</span><span style="color: #007700">, </span><span style="color: #0000BB">strtolower</span><span style="color: #007700">(</span><span style="color: #0000BB">Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">])]));</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39bdfc-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array() $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null }</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 325 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Notice</b> (8)</a>: Undefined index: state [<b>APP/Model/Event.php</b>, line <b>338</b>]<div id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-code" class="cake-code-dump" style="display: none;"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$ne' </span><span style="color: #007700">=> [</span></span></code> <code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> </span><span style="color: #DD0000">'$state'</span><span style="color: #007700">,</span></span></code> <span class="code-highlight"><code><span style="color: #000000"><span style="color: #0000BB"> Globals</span><span style="color: #007700">::</span><span style="color: #0000BB">$currentTown</span><span style="color: #007700">[</span><span style="color: #DD0000">'state'</span><span style="color: #007700">]</span></span></code></span></pre><pre id="cakeErr677b4fb39dad3-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$count = false $grouped = false $national = 'usa' $start_cond = array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) { sec => (int) 1736056800 usec => (int) 0 } ) $query = array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( (int) 0 => 'espanol' ) ), '$and' => array( (int) 0 => array( 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$in' => array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' ) ) ) $geo = array() $geonear = array( 'near' => array(), 'distanceField' => 'distance', 'distanceMultiplier' => (float) 3963.2, 'limit' => (int) 5000, 'spherical' => true, 'query' => array( 'start' => array( '$gte' => object(MongoDate) {} ), 'tags' => array( '$nin' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ), 'maxDistance' => (float) 0.011354461041583 ) $sort = array( 'featured' => (int) -1, 'start_utc' => (int) 1 ) $pipeline_group_count = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ) ) $pipeline_group = array( '_id' => array( 'title' => '$title', 'venue_name' => '$venue_name', 'city' => '$city', 'state' => '$state' ), 'city' => array( '$first' => '$city' ), 'cvent_id' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_id' ), 'cvent_status' => array( '$first' => '$cvent_status' ), 'date_string' => array( '$first' => '$date_string' ), 'distance' => array( '$first' => '$distance' ), 'end' => array( '$first' => '$end' ), 'event_id' => array( '$first' => '$event_id' ), 'event_url' => array( '$first' => '$event_url' ), 'cost' => array( '$first' => '$cost' ), 'featured' => array( '$first' => '$featured' ), 'geo' => array( '$first' => '$geo' ), 'group_key' => array( '$first' => '$group_key' ), 'image_url' => array( '$first' => '$image_url' ), 'location_string' => array( '$first' => '$location_string' ), 'repeat_id' => array( '$first' => '$repeat_id' ), 'search_text' => array( '$first' => '$search_text' ), 'sef_tail' => array( '$first' => '$sef_tail' ), 'start' => array( '$first' => '$start' ), 'start_utc' => array( '$first' => '$start_utc' ), 'timezone' => array( '$first' => '$timezone' ), 'format' => array( '$first' => '$format' ), 'state' => array( '$first' => '$state' ), 'tags' => array( '$first' => '$tags' ), 'tags_slugs' => array( '$first' => '$tags_slugs' ), 'title' => array( '$first' => '$title' ), 'town_sef_url' => array( '$first' => '$town_sef_url' ), 'venue_name' => array( '$first' => '$venue_name' ), 'dates' => array( '$push' => array( 'start' => '$start', 'date_string' => '$date_string', 'sef_tail' => '$sef_tail' ) ) ) $aggregate = array( (int) 0 => array( '$match' => array( 'start' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'tags' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), '$and' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'town_sef_url' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) ) ) $EventRadius = object(EventRadius) { primaryKey => '_id' useDbConfig => 'mongo' useTable => 'events_radius' default => (int) 45 id => false data => array() schemaName => null table => 'events_radius' validate => array() validationErrors => array() validationDomain => null tablePrefix => '' plugin => null name => 'EventRadius' alias => 'EventRadius' tableToModel => array( 'events_radius' => 'EventRadius' ) cacheQueries => false belongsTo => array() hasOne => array() hasMany => array() hasAndBelongsToMany => array() actsAs => null Behaviors => object(BehaviorCollection) {} whitelist => array() cacheSources => true findQueryType => null recursive => (int) 1 order => null virtualFields => array() __backAssociation => array() __backInnerAssociation => array() __backOriginalAssociation => array() __backContainableAssociation => array() __safeUpdateMode => false useConsistentAfterFind => true findMethods => array( 'all' => true, 'first' => true, 'count' => true, 'neighbors' => true, 'list' => true, 'threaded' => true ) [protected] _schema => null [protected] _associationKeys => array( 'belongsTo' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasOne' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ), 'hasAndBelongsToMany' => array( [maximum depth reached] ) ) [protected] _associations => array( (int) 0 => 'belongsTo', (int) 1 => 'hasOne', (int) 2 => 'hasMany', (int) 3 => 'hasAndBelongsToMany' ) [protected] _insertID => null [protected] _sourceConfigured => true [protected] _eventManager => object(CakeEventManager) {} [protected] _validator => null } $towns_list = array( (int) 0 => 'usa', (int) 1 => '' )</pre><pre class="stack-trace">Event::create_search_condition() - APP/Model/Event.php, line 338 EventsController::aarp_events_rhs() - APP/Controller/EventsController.php, line 483 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 CakeObject::requestAction() - CORE/Cake/Core/CakeObject.php, line 104 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 17 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136</pre></div></pre><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Your Community</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-class-santa-fe-nm-162025-h9ng8xp9srw.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ONLINE-CLASS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Online Class: Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-flowstate-fitness-with-nate-01062025-7xn3djf69f6.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-QIGONG-WITH-NATE-A-GENTLE-PRACTICE-FOR-BODY-MIND-AND-SPIRIT">Qigong with Nate: A Gentle Practice for Body, Mind and Spirit</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jan 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. MST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/carfit-virtual-workshop-lets-talk-vehicle-safety-and-comfort-mjn8hlhnpds.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CARFIT-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-LETS-TALK-VEHICLE-SAFETY-AND-COMFORT">CarFit Virtual Workshop: Let's Talk – Vehicle Safety and Comfort</a></h2> <p class="time">Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. EST</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/guest/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A--">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="A new 2024 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report highlights the ways criminals are targeting consumers this holiday season. The report shows four-in-five (82%)" name="description"/> <meta content="Holiday, Shopping, Fraud, Continues, Target, Consumers, During, Season, of, Joy" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/delaware/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/holiday-shopping-fraud-continues-to-target-consumers-during-a-season-of-joy-de-2024-12-04.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Holiday Shopping Fraud Continues to Target Consumers During a Season of Joy"/> <meta property="og:description" content="New AARP Report Highlights Steady Increase in Consumer Fraud Year-Over-Year "/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/54bcd8d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/520x334+0+9/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2F95%2F5a%2F8f8147136b525448574ac9dfc73c%2Fholiday-scams.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '240925' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/guest/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/guest/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/guest/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118