AARP Joins Global Anti-Scam Alliance to Enhance Consumer Protection

Image

AARP , a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals aged 50 and above, has become a Supporting Member  of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA). 

“I am grateful to GASA for bringing needed global attention to the world’s Number One crime. Much of the attention has been focused on corporate and government solutions—GASA is the first of its kind to focus on protecting consumers from fraud,” said Kathy Stokes, AARP’s Director of Fraud Prevention Programs. “ AARP has been protecting older Americans and their families from scams for years, and we look forward to continuing to protect consumers together by sharing knowledge and best practices,” said Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA .

How AARP Will Contribute to GASA’s Mission

AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM  provides critical resources to help individuals spot and avoid scams, including:

  • The Perfect ScamSM podcast : An award-winning podcast that looks at scams from the angle of victim impact.

  • Scam-Tracking Map:  A real-time tool to track reported scams across the country.

  • Watchdog Alerts:  Biweekly emails and texts warnings about emerging fraud tactics and trends.

  • Dedicated Helpline:  Free assistance for those targeted by scams.

By joining GASA, AARP aims to enhance its fraud prevention initiatives through global collaboration, shared expertise, and the exchange of best practices in consumer protection.

Strengthening the Fight Against Scams

This collaboration  will facilitate the exchange of best practices and strategies, further strengthening efforts to combat scams targeting older adults. Through collaboration with GASA, AARP continues to champion fraud prevention, equipping consumers with the knowledge and tools needed to stay protected in an increasingly digital world.

Mar 11, 2025
2 minute read
Category
News Topic - Fraud Prevention Industry - Consumer Protection & Authorities
Written by
Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA)
Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA)
Share article

Latest blogs & research

Romance scams continue to grow worldwide, exploiting trust, emotional vulnerability, and online relationships to manipulate victims into financial and emotional harm. Timed around Brazil’s Valentine’s Day period, the latest GASA meet-up, Golpes do Amor — Como eles acontecem e como se proteger, explored how these scams operate, why they are so effective, and how individuals can better recognise warning signs before becoming victims.  Hosted by the Brazil Chapter of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), the discussion highlighted findings from O Estado dos Golpes no Brasil. According to the report, romance scams have already affected 18 per cent of surveyed Brazilian adults, while 6 per cent of victims reported falling for this type of scam more than once. Beyond financial losses, speakers emphasised the severe emotional consequences victims often experience, including shame, trauma, and loss of trust.  Read the Report – O Estado dos Golpes no Brasil  Speakers: Rose Leonel, Journalist and Founder – ONG Marias da Internet Tanila Savoy, Founder – Associação Nacional de Vítimas da Internet (ANVINT) Lisandréa Salvariego Colabuono, Police Chief and Coordinator – NOAD, Polícia Civil de São Paulo Renata Salvini, Brazil Chapter Director – Global Anti-Scam Alliance  A major focus of the discussion was the manipulation techniques commonly used in romance scams. Speakers explained how scammers frequently create convincing identities, often pretending to be foreigners, military personnel, or individuals living abroad, while avoiding in-person meetings and building emotional dependency over time. Urgency and financial pressure were highlighted as major warning signs, particularly when victims are pushed to act quickly or send money under emotional circumstances.  The webinar also explored the lasting psychological impact of these crimes and reinforced that victims should never be blamed. Rose Leonel shared her personal story of transforming trauma into advocacy after becoming a victim of non-consensual intimate image sharing, an experience that ultimately contributed to the creation of the Rose Leonel Law in Brazil. Speakers stressed the importance of reporting scams, noting that even small details can assist investigations and help prevent future victims.  The conversation reinforced the need for greater public awareness, victim support, and collaboration between civil society, law enforcement, and digital platforms to address emotionally manipulative fraud more effectively. Through initiatives like this meet-up, GASA continues working with experts and organisations worldwide to strengthen scam prevention and support victims of online fraud.  Watch the full discussion below to learn how individuals and organisations can better recognise and respond to romance scams.

Romance Scams in Brazil: Warning Signs and Prevention

Experts from Brazil discuss how romance scams work, their emotional impact, and how victims can protect themselves online.

Topic - Scam Awareness Video Event - GASA Meet-Ups Industry - Law Enforcement
Acción coordinada. Impacto real. México lidera el cambio

De Viena a la Acción: GASA México y UNODC México Cierran Brechas Operativas

GASA México y UNODC México formalizan un Acuerdo de Intercambio de Comunicaciones, convirtiendo los compromisos globales de Viena en acción coordinada contra el fraude.

News Topic - Fraud Policy Industry - Policy Makers Region - Latin America
un global fraud summit what comes next discussions

What the UN Global Fraud Summit Discussions Tell Us About What Comes Next

Watch expert discussions from the UN Global Fraud Summit on the industrialisation of fraud, global collaboration, public–private frameworks, and next steps for implementation.

Best Practices Industry - National Cyber Security Centers (NCSCs) Region - Europe Region - Global
gasa webinar

Game Over for Scammers: Regional Defenses Against Online Gambling–Related Scams

Experts from INTERPOL, ACMA, and DGOJ examine how gambling-related scams operate and how global enforcement is responding.

Region - Europe Video Topic - Fraud Policy Event - GASA Meet-Ups
22,000 Fraud Signals Bank Attack Trends – March 2026

What 22,000 Fraud & Cyber Crime Operator Signals Reveal About the State of Bank Attacks

Falkin's analysis of 22,661 fraud operator signals shows how bank attacks are evolving across regions, typologies, and AI-driven scam infrastructure.

Research Region - Global Scam Trends Topic - Fraud Research
Microsoft White Paper  on Link Analysis and Digital Fingerprinting in Fraud Detection

Reinventing Fraud Detection Through Digital Fingerprinting and Link Analysis

A Microsoft white paper examines how digital fingerprinting and link analysis shift fraud detection from isolated events to connected, network-level intelligence.

Research Topic - Fraud Prevention Region - Global Topic - Scam Detection
gasa meet-up

On the Frontlines: Fighting AI-Powered Scams & Fraud

Experts from Microsoft, OpenAI, Google and C4ADS share how AI is shaping scams and how to fight back.

Topic - Fraud Prevention Region - Global Video Topic - Scam Detection

Telecoms on the Front Line: GASA at the Stimson Center Dialogue on Combating Scams

According to GASA’s Global State of Scams Report, telecommunications channels—voice and SMS in particular—remain a predominant “front door” for scams.

News Topic - Fraud Policy Region - North America Industry - Policy Makers