Scams targeting Arkansans continue to be a significant concern, according to U.S. Senator John Boozman. In a recent statement, Boozman highlighted the impact of fraudulent schemes on residents, noting that many people only realize they have been victimized after their finances or benefits are compromised.
“Some of the most discouraging stories that reach my office relate to scams. It is disturbing to see countless schemes designed to steal from Arkansans, and the cascade of problems people often suffer as a result,” Boozman said.
He described common scenarios his office encounters, such as individuals having their Social Security checks stolen or learning someone else filed taxes in their name. Others may face issues with veterans’ benefits due to fraudulent activity.
“Unfortunately, we often hear from victims only after the crime is already underway or complete. This might be when a person needs to change a bank account after their Social Security check was stolen, or the IRS hasn’t released their tax refund because someone else already filed with their information, or a disabled veteran is notified they are losing benefits because the VA thinks they are working full-time,” he said.
Boozman emphasized that victims must often navigate complex procedures to restore their identities and accounts. “Sadly, these situations force the defrauded party to prove their identity and navigate a bureaucratic maze, file police reports and clear other hurdles to get things straightened out. This is frustrating and difficult for anyone, but especially the elderly and others who are more vulnerable.”
While older adults are frequently targeted by scammers, Boozman pointed out that all age groups can fall victim. According to 2024 data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost over $5.7 billion in investment scams and nearly $2.95 billion in imposter scams last year.
“In our increasingly online society, it is all too easy for criminals to create false identities or pose as a trusted friend as they continue to grow more sophisticated in their tactics. For example, it can be tough to detect a fake caller using A.I. to imitate a particular accent or even pretend to be someone you know. In addition, the number of scams involving social media has skyrocketed in recent years,” Boozman noted.
He outlined steps recommended by Social Security Administration officials for identifying scam attempts:
– Pretend to be from an agency or organization.
– Say there is a problem or prize.
– Pressure you to act immediately.
– Tell you to pay in a specific way.
Boozman also warned that scammers use social media platforms by posing as friends or business contacts and sometimes attempt romantic frauds or questionable investment opportunities involving unfamiliar methods like international currency trading.
“For the most part, if the situation sounds particularly outrageous and heart-wrenching, or too good to be true, that should raise suspicions about the requestor’s motives and prompt further vetting,” he said.
He advised constituents: “The right action to take in most situations is to hang up or refuse to respond. Don’t believe people who call you unexpectedly with urgent demands. Don’t unquestionably trust your caller ID and know that scammers can ‘spoof’ real entities. Don’t give anyone money or personal information. Also, if you suspect a scam, report it.”
To increase awareness about fraud prevention strategies during its annual Slam the Scam campaign, the Social Security Administration offers guidance on recognizing suspicious activity at https://www.ssa.gov/scam/. Suspected fraud can also be reported through https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.
Senator Boozman’s office maintains district offices throughout Arkansas communities for constituent assistance (official website). He serves on several Senate committees including Appropriations; Veterans’ Affairs; Environment and Public Works; and Rules and Administration (official website). He has worked on legislation expanding care for women veterans and updating education benefits under the GI Bill (official website).
Boozman resides in Rogers with his family (official website) and holds an optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry (official website).
