Douglas County Deputies Investigate Senior Scam |

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation after one senior was recently scammed out of more than $34,000.

Last month, the sheriff's office visited a senior citizen through its Caring Neighbors referral.

During a recent visit with a senior, the senior inquired if they were going to be arrested by DCSO. The senior was reassured law enforcement was not there to make an arrest. The senior got a large manila envelope that contained MoneyGram, Western Union and overnight mail receipts. The senior said, “I thought you were here to arrest me for this."

Deputies say it was determined the senior had sent money through wire transfers and delivery services for the past 20 months.

When asked why they did that, the senior told them, "it was to pay the taxes on the lottery winnings."

After a financial review of the senior, it was determined the senior was near foreclosure, property taxes were unpaid, the phone and cable were turned off for non-payment, and auto, home and health insurance policies had lapsed. They say there was no family or friends available to help the senior.

Social Services and Elder Protective Services, along with DCSO Sheriff’s Office Caring Neighbors are working cooperatively to assist the senior citizen to recovery financially. Phone calls and letters are being made on their behalf.

As a reminder, deputies offer these tips on how to recognize and/or stop a scam:

Common scams by strangers on the computer, phone or at the front door.

1. Lottery or sweepstakes scams.

2. Home repair or traveling handy persons.

3. Grandparent scam (Grandpa, I am in jail and need help)

4. Charity scams

5. Utility company scams (You need to pay the bill to avoid disconnection)

6. Warrant/subpoena scams (There’s a warrant for your arrest

7. IRS scams (This is the IRS, you have taxes due now.)

8. Social Security (This is Social Security Administration, your SS number needs to be verified.)

9. Internet Phishing (Don’t open that strange email!)

Aggressive sales and marketing on vulnerable seniors.

1. Predatory lending – some seniors feel pressured to sign for unneeded reverse mortgage.

2. Annuity sales – purchasing an expensive annuity that matures when the senior is 90 or older.

3. Pyramid schemes

4. Medicare scams – Professionals bill for services not provided to Medicare.

Methods used by family, friends or trusted persons close to the senior

1. Obtaining a Power of Attorney to manage the finances of a senior. It could be used as a license to steal the assets of the senior.

2. Taking advantage of joint accounts

3. Using the ATM card and checking account.

4. Threatening to abandon, not help or hurt the senior.

5. In home providers of services charging for services not provided, such as inflated time cards, or spending time on phone or computer when care should be provided.

Signs that a senior may be financially exploited

1. Sudden changes in the bank account or banking practices.

2. Names added to a signature card.

3. Sudden or unauthorized withdrawals from an ATM when formally the senior came into the branch to conduct business.

4. Abrupt changes in will or living trust.

5. Sudden appearance of family that previously were uninvolved.

6. Services on bank account or a bill presented for services not needed.

7. Disappearance of jewelry, furniture or valuables.

8. Substandard care for the senior when assets were previously known to be available.

9. Change in banking habits, now making regular larger withdrawals.

10. Consistent customer to money wire services.

11. Sending overnight mail services via UPS, US mail or FedEx.