Op-Ed: $23 Million Stolen from Montanans in One Year: Join AARP in Fighting Back Against Fraud

As we observe Consumer Protection Month this April, it's a critical time to shine a spotlight on the growing threat of fraud in Montana and the steps we can take to safeguard ourselves and our loved ones.

Recent data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) paints a troubling picture of escalating fraud across the United States. In 2024, consumers reported losing more than $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25% increase over the previous year. When accounting for underreporting, the FTC estimates actual fraud losses in 2024 may have reached approximately $196 billion.

Older adults (ages 60 and older) wer...