Popular Online Scams Fooling Elderly People in Maryland in 2025
Elderly residents in Maryland are increasingly vulnerable to a wide range of online scams designed to steal their money and personal information. As this population often has significant savings or pensions and may be less familiar with rapidly evolving technology, scammers have intensified efforts to exploit them. In 2024 alone, Maryland recorded over 40,000 fraud reports with losses exceeding $200 million, and adults over 60 have borne a disproportionate share of these losses, including average individual losses around $83,000.
Key online scams targeting Maryland’s elderly include:
The Grandparent Scam
Scammers call older adults pretending to be a grandchild or close family member in urgent trouble, such as needing bail money or emergency medical funds. Using increasingly sophisticated tools including AI voice mimicry, they pressure victims to send money quickly, often via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency kiosks. They try to prevent victims from contacting the “relative” to verify the story, exploiting the victim’s concern and emotional vulnerability.
Government Impersonation Scams
Fraudsters pose as officials from trusted entities such as the IRS, Medicare, Social Security Administration, or the Maryland Attorney General’s office. They claim the victim owes back taxes or fees or is linked to suspicious activities requiring payment. These scams commonly attempt to steal personal data or money. Some also involve Medicare fraud, sending poor-quality medical devices while billing insurance under the victim’s name.
Tech Support Scams
Scammers contact seniors claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or other tech companies, warning of severe computer viruses or hacks. They then trick victims into granting remote access or paying for unnecessary “services.” Once inside, they steal sensitive information or install malware. This scam preys on less tech-savvy seniors who may not recognize the deception until serious harm is done.
Gift Card and Lottery Scams
Victims receive calls or texts saying they’ve won a lottery prize or must pay an urgent bill. The scammer instructs them to purchase gift cards and share the redemption codes, which quickly convert to untraceable money. Lottery scams similarly demand advance fees, but no prizes ever arrive. These scams rely on urgency and confusion to bypass skepticism.
AI-Enhanced Scams
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to create realistic fake voices and manipulated video clips (“deepfakes”), making scams harder to detect. Maryland seniors have reported receiving text messages, calls, and videos that appear to be trustworthy but are fabricated to manipulate their sense of security. Authorities warn that these new methods are amplifying traditional scams rather than reinventing them.
Prevention Tips for Maryland Seniors
Always verify identities independently. For instance, if someone calls claiming to be a relative, hang up and call the relative directly using known numbers.
Be skeptical of urgent requests for money, particularly payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfer.
Ignore unsolicited tech support calls; contact your legitimate service provider directly if you suspect problems.
Do not provide personal or financial information to unknown callers or links in texts/emails.
Report suspicious calls or messages to Maryland Department of Aging or local authorities to help track scam patterns.
If you are familiar with ChatGPT run a message or shady scenario through the AI tool and ask the app if it resembles a known scam or illegal approach.
Other Resources:
Maryland has introduced new legislation to regulate virtual currency kiosks to curb their exploitation by scammers, but the best defense remains awareness and caution among older adults and their families. Community groups like AARP Maryland are actively educating seniors about current threats and how to protect themselves. Given the rapid rise in losses and sophistication of scams, staying informed and vigilant is crucial for Maryland’s elderly population to safeguard their savings and identities.
This ongoing scam epidemic targets Maryland’s older adults using fear, urgency, and technological deception, making understanding these schemes and prevention critical in 2025.
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