Imposter scams have been by far the most reported type of scam in Iowa over the last 10 years, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). An imposter scam is defined as a scam in which a thief pretends to be someone else in order to steal your money.
How do imposter scammers get paid? The FTC said gift cards are the most common way these scammers seek payment from their victims. AARP Iowa has called on state legislators to support Iowa Senate File 2147, a bill to help protect Iowans from this kind of shakedown.
“Imposter scams have been costing Iowans millions,” said Brad Anderson, state director of AARP Iowa. “Clearly, something needs to change. This bill would require retailers selling gift cards to post a notice warning and informing consumers about gift card scams and whom to contact for help. This simple notice will help people think twice before buying a gift card to pay someone.”
Anderson said a 2022 AARP survey revealed that one in three adults said they or someone they know had been asked at some point to purchase a gift card in order to pay a bill, fee or some other debt or obligation or to claim a prize. About one in four of the adults surveyed reported that they bought the cards.
The nearly 65,000 consumers who filed complaints with the FTC in 2022 about gift card payment scams lost a total of $228.3 million.
AARP Iowa volunteers will be at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in order to share their personal stories of gift card scams and to urge lawmakers to support SF 2147.
