In Carroll, senior citizens are scammed weekly, says state’s attorney

In Carroll County, older adults become victims of scams on a weekly basis, according to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Allan Culver.

Statistics documenting the number of scams perpetrated against the elderly in the county are not tracked by law enforcement agencies, but anecdotally, Culver said, he knows it happens multiple times a week.

Culver said recently an older county resident received a call claiming their daughter was kidnapped, and the person lost thousands of dollars as a result. Culver did not reveal the person’s identity or more details in order to protect their privacy.

Other more common scams include a call from someone claiming to be from Baltimore Gas and Electric, saying that the person is behind on paying their bill. Many times older residents fall victim to individuals claiming to have a guaranteed, no-risk strategy to turn an investment into huge financial gains. These investment opportunities often operate through financial apps or websites that appear legitimate, however, once the victim has turned over funds it turns out to be fake, allowing the scammer to escape with the money, Culver said.

In 2021, the Maryland State Police helped recover $12,000 for an elderly Westminster woman who fell victim to a telephone scam, a police news release stated. The woman came to the Maryland State Police Westminster Barrack and said she had been convinced to send $12,000 in cash via FedEx to an address in Belmont, California.  The scam originated from a telephone call she received.

Using the information the victim brought to the barrack, a trooper tracked the package and contacted the FedEx Law Enforcement Liaison in California, police stated. The package containing the $12,000 was located and pulled from delivery and returned to the woman.

Scams targeting the elderly are not tracked locally, but last year Marylanders filed almost 2,000 complaints involving scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, according to Erek L. Barron, the U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland. The annual loss by older adult victims is estimated to be more than $3.4 billion nationwide and more than $72 million in Maryland. The average victim of older adult financial abuse loses approximately $33,915.

In March, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office warned the community of PayPal scams, following the arrest of two men who police said arrived in Finksburg from New York to collect money in a scam involving the online payment system.

Every year on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognized. It is intended to bring attention to and prompt dialogue and action on the issue of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. The Carroll County Bureau of Aging and Disabilities’ Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Carroll County Adult Protective Services and the state’s attorney’s office, have held a number of special programs at senior centers discussing the financial exploitation of older adults, along with ways they can protect themselves.

Culver, who helps lead the informational meetings, offers the following tips to avoid being scammed.

“Seniors should not answer calls from unknown numbers; if it’s an important call the individual will leave a message,” he said. “Never leave home to purchase gift cards or withdraw money for payment related to a telephone call or email.

“If seniors receive a call from someone claiming to be a grandchild or relative, hang up and call that grandchild or relative back at their number or someone who can contact that person,” Culver said. “When you receive an email, always look at the sender’s email address to determine where the email is actually coming from. Typically, email scams come from a third-party email address.”

To report scams and fraud, contact the Carroll County State’s Attorney Scam Hotline at 443-340-5649, or the Elder Abuse Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.