AARP warns that robocall scammers can fake caller ID, so a local or familiar number is no proof a call is safe. Letting unknown numbers ring protects your money.
A call that shows a local number or a real business name can still be a scam. AARP is warning that criminals use robocalls, which are automated calls played by a recorded or computer-made voice, to steal money and personal information.
Some automated calls are legitimate. Others are not. The scam versions may promise a prize, demand payment for a debt you do not owe, or claim to come from a trusted organization.
Scammers can manipulate caller ID, the number or name shown on your screen, so a call looks local or like a real business. AARP also says they may use stolen personal information and artificial intelligence to make calls more convincing. A familiar number proves nothing.
Anyone with a phone can get these calls. Older adults are a particular concern in the alert. Not every automated call is a scam, but a call from a number you do not know is safe to leave unanswered.
DoNotCall.gov, a registry where you can add your number, can reduce unwanted telemarketing calls. It will not stop scammers who ignore the rules, so it helps but does not solve the problem.
The alert box above covers what to do, including what to do if you already picked up and how to reach AARP's free helpline.
The article is general guidance. It gives no figures on how many calls are going out or how much money people have lost, and it does not name a specific new scam.
Let unknown numbers go unanswered, and if you do pick up a suspicious robocall, hang up without pressing any buttons.
A tax law firm warns that 2026 tax scams use fake numbers, copycat websites and AI voices, and that a rushed demand for money is the biggest warning sign.
Read more: How to spot a tax scam before you send money or personal detailsThe Attala County Sheriff's Office in Mississippi says scam calls are reaching residents, and a call that sounds official may not be.
Read more: Mississippi sheriff warns residents about scam phone callsScammers are posing as Texas sheriff's officers and claiming you missed jury duty. Caller ID can show a real police number even when the call is fake.
Read more: Fake jury duty calls spoof a real Texas sheriff's phone number
