SCAMS AND FRAUD
To report scams or find out if something could be a scam, call the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline 410-528-8662 or toll-free 1-888-743-0023.
For identity theft information and assistance, contact Maryland Attorney General’s Identity Theft Unit at 1-410-576-6491.
To stop receiving pre-approved credit card offers, call 1-888-567-8688 or go online to optoutprescreen.com.
To register your phone number on the Do Not Call List, call the FTC at 1-888-382-1222 or go to donotcall.gov.
Report IRS scams to the following:
US Treasury Department 1-800-366-4484
Federal Trade Commission 1-877-FTC-HELP
FOR MORE INFORMATION on scams, fraud, identity theft etc. and how to protect yourself or get help:
Consumer Guide for Marylanders is a 35-page booklet from the MD Attorney General's Office. To request a free print copy, call 410-576-6500 or toll-free 1-888-743-0023.
Next Avenue is a nonprofit, digital journalism publication for issues affecting older adults.
Two examples of their scam coverage (but check for more):
New Scams Target People Trying to Avoid Scams
Older Adults Victimized By a Record Number of Scams
FINRA Investor Education Foundation has some helpful publications including:
It's Not Your Fault: Empowerment After Financial Fraud
Fighting Fraud 101: Smart Tips for Investors
Keeping Seniors Safe (KSS) is a program that was established to increase awareness of safety issues within the senior community and to provide guidance and resources to seniors regarding issues such as scams, fraud, identity theft and other general issues.
ROBOCALLS AND SPAM CALLS
To block robocalls on some landlines, for free, register on nomorobo.com. Also available on cells for a monthly fee.
To activate “anonymous call rejection service,” dial *77 on your phone. Check with your phone provider to confirm they offer this feature.
To list your phones on the National Do Not Call Registry - donotcall.gov/
TIPS for dealing with spam calls and robocalls:
•If you answer a robocall that invites you to press a number to opt out, don’t do it! That will verify that yours is a working number and can leave you vulnerable to receiving more calls.
•If a caller asks, “Can you hear me?”, do NOT answer “Yes.” The caller can record your voice signature and use it to authorize fraudulent charges by telephone.
•If a caller claims to be from the IRS or Social Security and says you owe money, do NOT respond.
For more info see:
“Robocalls Flooding Your Cellphone? Here’s How to Stop Them” by Christopher Mele, New York Times, May 11, 2017.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/smarter-living/stop-robocalls.html
How to stop those annoying spam calls you get every day