Home Repairs & Modifications Resources

Financial

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Are you a victim of a crime? Click on "Maryland" here to learn your Crime Victims' Rights!

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ELDER ABUSE

• DEFINITION: An intentional or negligent act by any person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to an older adult that includes five subtypes: physical abuse, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect and abandonment, and sexual abuse. 

• If you believe someone is in danger, always contact your local police department first. ​​

• All suspected cases of Adult Abuse should be reported to Adult Protective Services at the Talbot County Department of Social Services.

• Residents of assisted living and nursing homes who feel they are being abused, neglected, or treated unfairly should contact the Upper Shore Aging's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.​

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FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

• DEFINITION: Refers to two types of financial crimes committed against older adults. 

  • Financial abuse (committed by someone you know)

  • Financial fraud (committed by a stranger)

• If you or someone you know has been a victim of elder financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372–8311, a special program of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime.

• Report a Social Security related scam here, at The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG)

• Report an IRS or Treasury Impersonation here

• If a paid preparer filed a fraudulent return or without your consent or if they followed improper tax preparation practices, https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud/report-a-tax-return-preparer.

• Confidentially report suspected tax fraud, a scam, evasion or law violation. You may qualify for a monetary award through the Whistleblower Office. https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud/report-tax-fraud-a-scam-or-law-violation

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FRAUD - OTHER

• Report anything you think may be a fraud, scam, or bad business practice to the Federal Trade Commission. Once a user submits a report, they will receive a tracking number and guidance on what to do next. Or, you can complete the process over the phone at (877) 382-4357.

• ​All fraud and scams that are digital or electronic in nature, which are those that originated on email, online, social media, etc., i.e. romance scam, tech support scam should also file a complaint with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

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IDENTITY THEFT & FRAUD

• Identity theft is the illegal acquisition of your personal information (e.g., Social Security number, date of birth), while identity fraud is the subsequent use of that stolen data to deceive others for personal gain. In short, theft is getting the data; fraud is using it.

• If you are a victim of either, report it here to the Federal Trade Commission. The federal government’s has established this link as a one-stop resource for identity theft victims. Once you report the identity theft or fraud, they will create a personal recovery plan for you, and help put your plan into action.

 

INTERNET / CYBER CRIME

• You may file a complaint with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if you believe you have been the victim of an Internet crime or if you want to file on behalf of another person you believe has been such a victim. Trained analysts at IC3 review and research the complaints and disseminate information to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for criminal, civil, or administrative action, as appropriate. variety of complaints — everything from cyber-enabled frauds and scams to cybercrime