Elder Financial Abuse Information

Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to financial exploitation. Each year the Comptroller of Maryland joins the Maryland Attorney General's Office, Maryland Department of Ageing, Maryland Department of Human Services, AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), CCCSMD (Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Maryland), MVLS (Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service) and myriad other partners in Protect Week and the Project SAFE coalition. This annual campaign raises awareness of elder fraud and financial abuse, offers prevention and identification tips and resources to help victims and family members.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

PROTECT Week runs June 13-17, 2022

PROTECT Week Public Service Announcement

Elder Financial Exploitation Brochure for Download and Print

Elder Financial Exploitation Brochure for Download and Print (ESPAÑOL)

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

IRS DIRTY DOZEN SCAMS 2021

AVOID CORONAVIRUS SCAMS

Protecting Your House of Finances From Scammers

BEWARE OF COVID-19 SCAMS ESPAÑOL

HOW TO DEFEND AGAINST FUTURE ABUSE ESPAÑOL

AARP Scam Alert Sign Up

AARP: Scam Podcasts

How Prevalent is Elder Financial Exploitation in Each State?


2022 Events:

Join Comptroller Franchot for the live kick-off of PROTECT Week 2022 on Monday June 13, 2022 at 10 a.m. at AARP HQ in Annapolis or watch the livestream press conference on Facebook @AARPMD. Tune in to the SENIOR ZONE radio program on WYCB 1340 AM to hear informative interviews with Comptroller Franchot and others leading the fight all week long.

2022 Press Conference

2022 Shredding Events

Elder Justice Webinar Series - June 2022

Visit the PROTECT Week website for more shredding events, webinars, helpful articles and a slew of activities both live and virtual.

 

Quick Tips:

  1. Do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize
  2. Keep an eye on your financial accounts for any unusual activity
  3. Verify a charity is legitimate BEFORE donating by going to:
    https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams
  4. Hang up on robocalls
  5. Be skeptical about free trial offers
  6. No one should ask you for money upfront for a stimulus relief check, prize, refund, mortgage, or debt relief of any kind
  7. Beware of phishing scams online and over the phone attempting to get you to reveal your social security and bank account numbers- do not give those out
  8. Research before you buy, invest, or take out a loan to verify it is not a scam
  9. If a family member (like a grandchild) or other individual calls with a sudden emergency asking for money- beware as it is probably an imposter- hang up and call that person directly to verify the call
  10. Check the IRS, FTC, and other reputable sites for a list of the most common and current scams
  11. Don't Be A Victim Of A Fraudulent Tax Preparer: Beware Of These Warning Signs

Additional Resources: