Fraud Experience & Prevention Survey Among Coloradans 18+
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and AARP ElderWatch Caution Consumers About Trending Scams and Identity Theft ~
DENVER – June 23, 2020 – Fraud, scams and identity theft can negatively affect Coloradans of all ages and backgrounds at any time. A new survey report, released by AARP ElderWatch, shares data about online behaviors, experiences with scams, instances of identity theft and measures used to avoid fraud by adults (18-plus) in Colorado. View full report here.
“Protecting Colorado consumers and providing tools and resources with which they can defend themselves from scams and fraud is one of our top priorities,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “This survey provides valuable information about scams targeting Coloradans and identifies important steps they can take to avoid falling victim to them.”
The survey, Fraud Experience and Prevention Among Coloradans 18-Plus, explored the behaviors, experiences, potential exposure and feelings about fraud and identity theft of adults in Colorado. Some key findings from the survey include:
- Many Coloradans believe they have been the targets of IRS (68%), Tech Support (61%), and Social Security Administration (51%) imposter scams, with those ages 50 older more likely than younger to say so to each.
- Nearly half (49%) of all Coloradans say they or someone they know has experienced identity theft and half (51%) of them lost money to the incident.
- While most Coloradans are concerned (73% very/somewhat) about becoming a victim of identity theft, most have not taken certain measures that could help prevent identity theft from occurring. About one in four (28%) Coloradans requested their free annual credit report in the last 12 months, less than a quarter (22%) placed a freeze on their credit report and one-third (33%) had placed a fraud alert on their credit report.
“It is clear through these survey results that Coloradans are concerned about their exposure to scams and having their identity compromised, but they are not taking enough proper precautions to reduce their risk,” said Mark Fetterhoff, AARP ElderWatch.
For tips on avoiding fraud and scams visit the Colorado Attorney General’s consumer protection education website: www.stopfraudcolorado.gov. To report or inquire about a potential scam call the AARP ElderWatch helpline: 1-800-222-4444, option 2.
About the Survey
AARP ElderWatch Survey: Fraud Experience and Prevention Among Coloradans 18+
In April 2020, AARP engaged Alan Newman Research (ANR) to conduct a quantitative research study among Colorado residents ages 18+ to gauge their vulnerability to and experience with fraud, and their use of certain preventative measures. ANR completed a total of 1,006 telephone interviews. The sample of 1,006 respondents yields a maximum statistical error of 3.1% at the 95% level of confidence. The survey was launched on April 26, 2020 and closed on May 8, 2020.
AARP ElderWatch is a program with the Colorado Attorney General and AARP; its mission is to ensure that no older adults are left to suffer, alone and in silence, at the hands of those who exploit them. The program fights the financial exploitation of older Coloradans through education and outreach, data collection and the providing of assistance.
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment.
