AARP Forty Thieves is a consumer fraud prevention program run by AARP state offices

AARP Forty Thieves is a volunteer-led initiative that identifies and tracks scams targeting older adults in your state. The program works by collecting reports of fraud attempts, documenting patterns, and sharing that information with law enforcement, consumer protection agencies, and other AARP members. It is not a law enforcement agency itself — it is a reporting and awareness network.

The program gets its name from the idea that scammers often use the same tactics repeatedly, like a gang of thieves using the same methods. By gathering reports from many people, AARP volunteers can spot which scams are active in your area right now and warn others before they lose money.

Each AARP state office runs its own Forty Thieves program, so the focus and activity level varies by location. Some states have very active volunteer networks; others have smaller groups. The core function is the same everywhere: collect fraud reports, identify patterns, and spread the word.

Key Takeaways

  • Forty Thieves volunteers collect reports of scams and fraud attempts targeting older adults in your state.
  • The program identifies patterns in scam tactics so AARP can warn members about active threats in your area.
  • You can report a scam you encountered or heard about to your state AARP office, and the information goes into the tracking system.
  • Forty Thieves works with law enforcement and consumer protection agencies but does not investigate cases or recover money on your behalf.
  • The program is run by trained AARP volunteers, not paid staff, so response times and resources depend on your state's volunteer capacity.

How to Report a Scam to Forty Thieves

Contact your state AARP office directly. You can find the phone number and mailing address on the AARP website by searching for your state. Tell them you want to report a scam for the Forty Thieves program. Have ready the details of what happened: the date, how you were contacted (phone, email, text, in person), what the scammer claimed to be, and what they asked you to do or pay.

You do not need to have lost money to report. Many Forty Thieves reports come from people who recognized a scam before sending anything. Those reports are just as valuable because they help the program spot which scams are circulating right now.

If you have already reported the scam to police, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or your state attorney general, mention that when you call. Forty Thieves will add your report to the pattern tracking even if it is already in another system.

What Happens After You Report

Your report goes into a database that AARP volunteers review for patterns. If your scam matches others reported recently in your state, it gets flagged as an active threat. AARP then alerts members through newsletters, social media, local events, and calls to people who may be at risk.

Forty Thieves does not investigate individual cases or pursue the scammer. That is the job of law enforcement. What the program does is create a picture of which scams are hitting your area, how they work, and who is being targeted. That information helps police prioritize cases and helps AARP warn people before they fall victim.

You will not receive a personal update on your report. The program is designed to protect the broader community, not to track individual cases. If you need help with a specific scam — recovering money, filing a police report, or understanding what happened — contact your local police department or the FTC directly.

The Difference Between Forty Thieves and Law Enforcement

Forty Thieves is a community awareness network, not a law enforcement agency. Police departments and the FTC investigate fraud, pursue scammers, and work to recover money. AARP's role is to collect information and warn people.

If you have been scammed and want to report it to law enforcement, contact your local police department's non-emergency line or file a report online through your state police website. If the scam involved the internet, mail, or a phone call across state lines, you can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Reporting to Forty Thieves and reporting to police are not the same thing and do not replace each other. You can do both. In fact, doing both is often the best approach because it gets your information into both the community awareness system and the law enforcement system.

Common Scams Forty Thieves Tracks

The scams that show up most often in Forty Thieves reports include tech support scams (someone claiming your computer has a virus and asking you to pay to fix it), grandparent scams (someone pretending to be a grandchild in an emergency asking for money), Social Security scams (claiming your benefits will be cut off unless you verify information), Medicare scams (offering free equipment or services in exchange for your Medicare number), and romance scams (building a relationship online and then asking for money).

Other common reports involve lottery or prize scams (you won something you did not enter), IRS scams (claiming you owe back taxes), utility scams (threatening to shut off your power), and charity scams (asking for donations after a disaster). The specific scams active in your area change over time, which is why the Forty Thieves tracking system matters — it tells you what is happening right now, not what happened last year.

How to Protect Yourself While Reporting

If you are reporting a scam you encountered, do not send any money or information to the scammer while you are gathering details to report. If you have already sent money, stop all contact with the scammer when ready and do not send more.

When you call your AARP state office to report, you will be asked for details about the scam, but you will not be asked for personal information like your Social Security number or bank account details. AARP volunteers already have your name and contact information from your membership. If someone claiming to be from Forty Thieves asks for sensitive information, hang up and call your state AARP office directly using the number on the AARP website to verify.

Finding Your State AARP Office

Go to aarp.org and look for the "Contact Us" or "State Offices" section. You can search by state to find the phone number, mailing address, and sometimes an online form for reporting scams. Some state offices have dedicated Forty Thieves coordinators; others handle reports through the main office line.

If you have trouble finding your state office online, call the national AARP helpline at 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277) and ask for the Forty Thieves contact in your state. They can give you the direct number or tell you how to submit a report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reporting a scam to Forty Thieves help me get my money back?

No. Forty Thieves collects reports to warn other people and help law enforcement see patterns. To pursue recovery, you need to file a police report and contact the FTC. Some scams result in arrests and restitution, but that comes through the criminal justice system, not through AARP.

What if I am not an AARP member — can I still report a scam?

Yes. Most state AARP offices accept scam reports from anyone, member or not. The Forty Thieves program is designed to protect older adults in your state, regardless of AARP membership. Call your state office and ask how to report.

How long does it take for AARP to warn people about a scam I reported?

That depends on your state's volunteer capacity and how many reports come in. Some states issue alerts within days; others take weeks. If you see the same scam happening to someone else, you can report it again — each report strengthens the pattern and may speed up an alert.

Can Forty Thieves help me if I think I am being targeted by a scammer right now?

Forty Thieves can document the attempt for pattern tracking, but if you are in when ready danger or believe a crime is happening, call 911 or your local police department. For ongoing scam attempts, contact the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call your state attorney general's consumer protection office.

What information do I need to have ready when I report?

Have the date of contact, how you were reached (phone number, email address, website, or in person), what the scammer claimed to be, what they asked you to do or pay, and any names, account numbers, or other details they provided. If you have written communication (email, text, letter), keep it. You do not need all of this to report — whatever you remember is useful.