by Matthew Holloway | Jan 9, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Scammers are targeting veterans with fraudulent fees to register for the National Veterans Golden Age Games, prompting a Federal Trade Commission warning that the VA-hosted event is, and always has been, free for entrants to compete and caregivers, coaches, and loved ones to watch.
The alert was issued in a December 19th Consumer Notice published on the agency’s website.
In its alert, the FTC said veterans have reported finding websites or social media pages that purport to charge a fee to register for the Golden Age Games. According to the notice, these offers are fraudulent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Registration for the Games is handled only through VA.gov using verified veteran credentials.
Local veterans and staff with the Phoenix VA Health Care System have long participated in the National Veterans Golden Age Games, with the system’s adaptive sports clinic helping prepare competitors for the event. In June, VA officials in Phoenix publicly recognized a team of Arizona veterans who won multiple medals at the Games. This local involvement underscores the importance of protecting veterans from bad actors online who charge illegitimate fees for an event that is officially free.
The National Veterans Golden Age Games is organized by the VA’s Veterans Sports Programs to promote health, wellness, and physical activity among older veterans. The FTC notice states the Games are free for veterans, coaches, caregivers, and spectators, and that official registration for the 2026 Games, scheduled for June 27 through July 2 in Tampa, Florida, will open January 28, 2026. Registration is only available through VA.gov using an ID.me account. Any online offer claiming immediate registration or requiring payment is likely a scam.
FTC Consumer Sentinel Network data show that Arizona residents filed more than 54,000 fraud reports in 2024, including thousands from military consumers, resulting in more than $336 million in reported losses statewide. Fraud involving imposter schemes, such as fake government fees or event registrations, was one of the top complaint categories among Arizona consumers.
The FTC recommends registering only through official VA channels and avoiding sharing login information or personal credentials with third-party websites. Veterans and families encountering potential fraud schemes are encouraged to report them through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office also maintains a scam-reporting portal and consumer alerts for veteran-related fraud, directing residents to file complaints through the AG Office’s website or the FTC’s federal system.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Dec 1, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new analysis shows Arizona is among the states most vulnerable to real estate scams during the holiday season, as buyers and sellers rush to close deals before the end of the year. A study released by PPS House Buyers reviewed Federal Trade Commission data from 2022 to 2024 and found that Arizona records an average of 2.04 real estate scam reports per 100,000 residents between October and December—placing it fifth in the nation. Victims in the state lose an average of $18,025 per incident, a figure notably higher than the national average loss of $16,369.
Nevada tops the list for winter scam exposure, averaging 2.64 reports per 100,000 people during the final quarter of the year. The state also saw $1.39 million in total losses across 86 reports, with each victim losing more than $16,000 on average. Georgia and Florida follow closely behind, with 2.29 and 2.23 reports per 100,000 residents, respectively. Florida also experiences the steepest total financial toll, with annual Q4 losses topping $7.2 million.
Although Alaska ranks fourth overall, the state’s smaller population means only about 16 scams are reported each year. Still, losses total more than $170,000 annually. In Arizona, the combination of rapid population growth, high homebuyer demand, and holiday transaction pressure may be contributing to the state’s elevated risk level. The average loss per victim in Arizona—$18,025—is one of the highest among the top 10 most vulnerable states.
Colorado, South Carolina, Virginia, Missouri, and Hawaii round out the top ten, all posting scam report rates well above the national average of 1.14 reports per 100,000 residents. At the opposite end of the spectrum, North Dakota sees the fewest winter real estate scam reports—just 0.17 per100,000 residents. But despite its low report rate, the state ranks near the top in average financial damage, with victims losing an average of $76,142 per incident.
Wisconsin and Iowa follow as the second- and third-lowest states for scam frequency. Arkansas and Rhode Island complete the five states least affected by winter real estate scams, though Arkansas reports an unusually high per-victim loss of $17,828. While Nevada generates the most reports, Wyoming and North Dakota see the most severe individual financial harm. Wyoming victims lose an average of $80,694, nearly five times the national average. North Dakota follows closely at just over $76,000 per scam.
Joel Medrano, CEO of PPS House Buyers, said the combination of consumer urgency and reduced attention during year-end planning makes the holiday season particularly dangerous. “The holidays create the perfect storm for real estate scams, as buyers feel pressure to close before Christmas, and scammers exploit that urgency with deals that seem too good to miss,” Medrano said. “Anyone involved in real estate transactions should verify all parties through official channels, never wire money based on email instructions alone, and be especially cautious of deals that seem unusually urgent or pressure you to act quickly.”
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Terri Jo Neff | Dec 26, 2022 | News
By Terri Jo Neff |
As if there are not already enough scams making the rounds, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is reporting that scammers are impersonating the Social Security Administration (SSA) in an effort to get SSA recipients to disclose private information that can be used to defraud the victims.
And the holidays are a good time for families to talk with elderly relatives about the risks, according to AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly.
One thing that makes it difficult for family members or caregivers to learn an elderly person has been contacted by, or even fallen victim to, a scammer is that the victims “come from a generation typically raised to be private and taught to be kind and polite,” according to Amy Nofziger of the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
“They feel compelled to answer the doorbell, provide information when an authority figure requests it and feel uncomfortable hanging up on someone,” Nofziger says.
Scammers are using the names of actual SSA employees to send recipients what appears to be an official letter. The letter invites the recipients to call a toll-free number to activate an increase in their SSA benefits, including claiming a cost-of-living adjustment.
Other targets of the scam have reported receiving an email or text message with a “click here” link to learn more about available SSA benefits. But what the scammers really want is to obtain a recipient’s personal information such as SSN, date of birth, or banking information which can then be used for illegal purposes.
Behavior often engaged in by SSA scammers includes:
- Threatens to suspend your Social Security number
- Warns of impending arrest or litigation
- Pressures you to confirm or provide personal information
- Promises to increase your SSA benefits for a fee
- Demands immediate payment
- Insists on secrecy
- Threatens to seize your bank account or investments
- Says you must decide immediately
Anyone who receives a suspicious call, text message, email, or letter can contact AARP’s Fraud Watch at 877-908-3360. Additional information on how to protect against scams is available here.
Meanwhile, contact your local law enforcement agency if you or someone you know already fell victim to a scam by revealing personal information or you were tricked into making a payment for an unreceived service.
Terri Jo Neff is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or send her news tips here.
