Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office Joins with State Agencies and Non-Profits to Combat Financial Exploitation of Older Adults

Baltimore, Maryland - The U.S. Attorney’s Office has partnered with AARP Maryland, the Maryland Attorney General, the Comptroller of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Aging, the Maryland Department of Human Services, and the Office of Financial Regulation in the Maryland Department of Labor, as well as businesses and consumer groups to sponsor PROTECT Week to raise awareness and help prevent financial fraud targeting older adults.  A press conference was held today to kick-off PROTECT Week, held June 12-16, 2023.  PROTECT Week offers opportunities to learn about the many forms of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older Marylanders.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office is participating in events all month, including public outreach events such as a tele-town hall, and educational programming. 

            “Targeting vulnerable elderly victims is unconscionable and PROTECT Week is a great time to learn about scams targeting older adults and how to avoid them,” said Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland. “But if you, or someone you know, is a victim of financial fraud, I urge you to report it.  Help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) and you could prevent someone else from becoming a victim.”

PROTECT WEEK EVENTS:

            Interview with Shawn Perry of the Senior Zone – airing June 12 at 10:00 a.m.

            Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron will participate in an interview with Shawn Perry of the Senior Zone AM radio program to promote PROTECT Week.  The interview will discuss tips for recognizing and avoiding scams, the importance of reporting fraud, and the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Hotline. 

            Tele-town Hall – June 15 at 11:30 a.m.

            U.S. Attorney Erek Barron, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Karen Straughn with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division will participate in an AARP tele-town hall.  The tele-town hall will discuss Maryland’s new Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, trends in fraud schemes, and resources for reporting fraud.  The tele-town hall reaches thousands of Marylanders in every county throughout the state. 

            Now in its sixth year, PROTECT Week 2023 includes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15.  More information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day can be found here.  For a list of PROTECT Week coalition members and to register for events, visit www.aarp.org/md.

            Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults.  If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps.  Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect them with agencies, and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis.  The hotline is staffed from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  English, Spanish, and other languages are available.  More information about the Department’s elder justice efforts can be found on the Department’s Elder Justice website, www.elderjustice.gov.

      For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help older adults, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md  and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/elder-justice-initiative.

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