AARP "Free Health Kit" Scam

[HerbertB696281]

! received an email today from "Member Info Center" over a huge AARP logo promising a free health monitoring kit worth $350! "As a gesture of our appreciation, we are pleased to award you a Health Monitoring Kit worth $350. Thank you for your continued trust and engagement."

Even though I know nothing is free, it seemed like a no strings-attached membership benefit for a blood pressure monitor and other devices shown in the photo. So I clicked on the link. 

Surprise! Under an AARP logo, the text tells me to "complete a quick survey for a chance to receive a Health Monitoring Kit... Rewards are limited."

One on hand, the email is no worse than a million other fraudulent phishing bait-and-switch scams. But this one purports to be from AARP. Checking the fine print, the sender's email is something called "manninghonorsteam@912-87681.2812172.firebaseapp.com" and the link is on this url: "https://stingogubernatorial.online/"

So is this someone AARP has sold its membership list to? Or contracted out? Or is this just a random scammer stealing AARP's logo and member info?

If this wasn't from AARP, you should take action against this scammer. And if AARP is involved in this, shame on you.

[AlinaM967225]

I received the same email as well. Agree it looks pretty legit. Fortunately, thought to check the "From" email address, which was convoluted and very suspicious. Then checked Google to see if this is a scam, and indeed, here I am. 

Herbert's question is a good one: Does AARP sell its members' email addresses?

[AARPConsumerCare]

We do share information with our providers to facilitate conversations with you about available products and services, @AlinaM967225. I encourage you read our privacy policy to learn how your data is used and how you can opt out of data sharing. Visit https://www.aarp.org/privacy/privacy-policy/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=18849131286 to review our privacy policy. - Brandon C.

[SereneSeagull]

Like most companies, I’ll guess, they share unless you opt out.  On the main page of AARPs website all the way down at the bottom of the main page of the footer, you’ll find a privacy link.  When you click that you’ll get info as well as how to opt out of things. 

Heres some info I pasted for you below:

“ AARP is dedicated to matching our members to a number of service providers. This is to ensure you have the services you need. We share your data with Providers to facilitate conversations with you regarding your AARP membership so you can learn about their available products and services. This may be based on demographic or other data in our database, such as demographic data or it can be based on actions you take on our website. 
 
You can limit this sharing and opt out of targeted advertising by taking steps outlined in the section “Advertising Technologies – Tailored Ads Based on Your Online Activity” below or exercising a privacy right listed below.”

[AARPConsumerCare]

Nice job catching the From email address and recognizing that wasn't the AARP website, HerbertB696281. You can report fraudulent emails like this to our Fraud Watch Network by forwarding the email to spoof@aarp.org. Stay safe! - Brandon C.