What is the Social Security Administration Impersonation?

Callers claim your Social Security number has been suspended, compromised, or tied to a crime. They demand immediate payment or personal information to restore your benefits. Red flags include: A caller threatens to suspend your Social Security number; The caller demands payment to restore benefits; The caller asks you to verify your full SSN.

What is the IRS Tax Debt & Arrest Warrant Threats?

Scammers impersonate IRS agents and claim you owe back taxes. They threaten arrest, asset seizure, or audit unless you pay immediately by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Red flags include: A caller threatens arrest for unpaid taxes; The caller demands payment by gift card or wire transfer; The caller refuses to send written notice.

What is the Medicare Card Replacement Fraud?

Callers claim Medicare issued new cards and ask you to verify your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information to receive your replacement. Red flags include: A caller asks for your Medicare number; The caller mentions a new Medicare card or chip card; The caller asks for bank information to deposit benefits.

What is the FBI / DOJ Investigation Threats?

Scammers spoof the U.S. Attorney's Office or FBI phone number and threaten arrest, federal investigation, or asset seizure unless you cooperate immediately. Red flags include: A caller claims to be FBI or U.S. Attorney's Office; The caller threatens arrest if you contact a lawyer; The caller demands immediate payment.

What is the DEA Drug Trafficking Allegations?

Callers claim the Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted a package linked to your identity. They threaten federal charges unless you pay fines or verify your information. Red flags include: A caller claims DEA intercepted a package in your name; The caller threatens drug trafficking charges; The caller demands immediate payment to clear your record.

What is the U.S. Marshals Service Arrest Warrant?

Scammers impersonate U.S. Marshals and claim a federal arrest warrant has been issued for failure to appear in court or for missing jury duty. Red flags include: A caller claims to be U.S. Marshals; The caller mentions a federal warrant or contempt of court; The caller demands payment by gift card or wire transfer.

What is the DHS / ICE Deportation Threats?

Callers impersonate Department of Homeland Security or ICE agents and threaten deportation, even targeting natural-born U.S. citizens. They demand immediate payment to resolve fabricated immigration violations. Red flags include: A caller threatens deportation; The caller targets natural-born citizens with immigration claims; The caller demands payment to clear your record.

What is the USPS Customs Fee Smishing?

Texts and emails claim a package needs customs fees paid before delivery. Links lead to fake payment portals that steal credit card information. Red flags include: A text says a package is held for customs fees; The link does not match usps.com; The fee is small enough to feel low-risk.

What is the Maryland Comptroller Tax Debt Threats?

Callers impersonate the Maryland Comptroller's office and claim you owe state taxes. They threaten audits, license suspension, or asset seizure unless you pay immediately. Red flags include: A caller claims to be the Maryland Comptroller; The caller threatens immediate license suspension; The caller demands payment by gift card or cryptocurrency.

What is the Maryland MVA License Suspension Scams?

Scammers impersonate the Maryland MVA and threaten driver's license suspension, registration cancellation, or Real ID deadline penalties unless you pay or click a link. Red flags include: A text or call threatens MVA license suspension; The link does not match mva.maryland.gov; The caller demands immediate payment.

What is the County Sheriff Warrant Scams?

Scammers claim to be Maryland sheriff's deputies and demand payment for missed jury duty, outstanding warrants, or contempt of court. AI voice tools make these calls increasingly convincing. Red flags include: A caller claims to be a Maryland sheriff's deputy; The caller mentions a missed jury duty warrant; The caller demands payment by gift card.

What is the Local Police Department Impersonation?

Callers impersonate Maryland police officers and claim you have a traffic warrant, owe a fine, or are under investigation. They threaten arrest unless you pay immediately. Red flags include: A caller claims to be a local Maryland officer; The caller mentions a traffic warrant; The caller demands payment by gift card.

What is the Circuit Court Jury Duty Scams?

Scammers claim you missed jury duty in a Maryland circuit court and owe a fine. They demand payment by gift card or cryptocurrency to avoid contempt charges. Red flags include: A caller mentions a missed jury duty notice; The caller demands payment by gift card; The caller threatens contempt of court.

What is the BGE Shutoff Threats?

Callers claim to represent Baltimore Gas and Electric and threaten immediate service disconnection unless you pay an overdue bill within hours, typically by gift card or wire transfer. Red flags include: A caller threatens immediate BGE shutoff; The caller demands payment by gift card; The caller demands payment by cryptocurrency or wire transfer.

What is the Pepco Disconnection Scams?

Scammers impersonate Pepco and threaten power disconnection unless you pay an overdue balance immediately by gift card, prepaid card, or wire transfer. Red flags include: A caller threatens immediate Pepco disconnection; The caller demands payment within the hour; The caller asks for gift card or prepaid card payment.

What is the Major Bank Fraud Alert Impersonation?

Scammers impersonate Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PNC, M&T, Truist, and other major banks. They claim your account has been compromised and direct you to move funds to a 'safe account' that scammers control. Red flags include: A caller mentions suspicious activity on your account; The caller tells you to move money to a safe account; The caller asks for your full account number or PIN.

What is the Credit Union Impersonation?

Scammers impersonate Maryland credit unions including SECU, Tower Federal, and Navy Federal. They claim fraud has been detected and direct you to verify account information or move funds. Red flags include: A caller mentions fraud on your credit union account; The caller asks for your full member number; The caller asks for your online banking password.

What is the Bank Fraud Department Impersonation?

Generic 'fraud department' impersonation scams claim suspicious activity has been detected and ask you to verify transactions, provide account access, or transfer funds for protection. Red flags include: A caller claims to investigate fraud on your account; The caller asks for account access for the investigation; The caller threatens account closure.

What is the Zelle 'Send Money to Yourself' Scam?

Scammers impersonate your bank and instruct you to 'send money to yourself' through Zelle to protect it from fraud. The money goes directly to the scammer's account. Red flags include: A caller asks you to send Zelle to yourself; The caller claims this protects you from fraud; The caller stays on the line during the transfer.

What is the Credit Card Fraud Department Impersonation?

Scammers impersonate Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express fraud departments. They claim suspicious charges require immediate verification of full card details. Red flags include: A caller mentions suspicious credit card charges; The caller asks for your full card number and CVV; The caller asks for your card PIN.

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Every Scam Targeting Maryland's Older Adults, In One Place

A complete catalog of 222 documented scam variants, organized so you find what you need in under 30 seconds. Updated quarterly. Cited from FBI, FTC, Maryland Attorney General, and AARP source data.

222 Scam Variants

23 Categories

31 Maryland-Specific

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I'm Not Sure What To Call It

Pick the situation that matches what happened. We'll show every scam variant that fits.

Browse the Full Taxonomy

All 222 documented scam variants, organized across 23 categories. Tap any category to expand.

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1. Government Imposter Scams Federal, state, and local government agencies that scammers impersonate to extract money or personal information.

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2. Utility & Service Provider Impersonation Maryland utilities and telecom providers that scammers impersonate with shutoff threats and fake billing.

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3. Financial Institution Impersonation Banks, credit unions, payment platforms, and credit card companies that scammers impersonate.

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4. Technology Scams Fake technology support, account compromise, and remote access fraud targeting devices and accounts.

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5. Investment & Financial Scams Investment fraud, retirement targeting, and lending scams. The single largest financial loss category for adults 60+.

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6. Real Estate & Housing Scams Deed theft, rental fraud, foreclosure rescue, reverse mortgage abuse, and timeshare exploitation.

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7. Home Services & Contractor Scams Door-to-door contractors, storm-chaser fraud, and unlicensed home improvement work.

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8. Healthcare Scams Medicare fraud, fake medical equipment, prescription scams, and exploitation through healthcare providers.

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9. Romance & Relationship Scams Online dating fraud, social media romance cultivation, and pig butchering schemes.

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10. Family Emergency Scams Grandparent scams, AI voice cloning, and fake hospital, jail, or kidnapping emergencies.

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11. Lottery, Prize & Sweepstakes Scams Fake winnings, foreign lotteries, Publishers Clearing House impersonation, and prize-claim fee fraud.

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12. Charity & Donation Scams Fake veteran charities, disaster relief fraud, and disease-research solicitation that exploit generosity.

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13. Legal & Threat-Based Scams Arrest warrant threats, asset seizure threats, license suspension threats, and lawsuit pressure tactics.

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14. Retail & Consumer Scams Fake e-commerce sites, counterfeit goods, subscription traps, and gift card payment demand fraud.

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15. Travel & Leisure Scams Vacation package fraud, free cruise scams, fake hotel bookings, and timeshare presentation pressure.

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16. Employment Scams Work-from-home fraud, mystery shopper scams, reshipping schemes, and fake job interview tactics.

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17. Identity Theft Mechanisms Phishing, smishing, vishing, QR code fraud, SIM swapping, mail theft, and skimming devices.

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18. Emerging & AI-Enhanced Scams Deepfake video scams, AI voice cloning, cryptocurrency recovery fraud, and wrong-number cultivation tactics.

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19. Legal Services Scams Mass tort recruitment, immigration services fraud, living trust mills, and unlicensed legal practice.

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20. Insurance Scams Fake auto and health insurance, life insurance churning, long-term care fraud, and burial insurance schemes.

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21. Professional Services Scams Tax preparation fraud, accounting embezzlement, financial planning manipulation, and elder law abuse.

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22. Family & Caregiver Exploitation Power of attorney abuse, caregiver theft, family member financial exploitation, and guardian misconduct.

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23. Miscellaneous Scams Obituary-based targeting, funeral home fraud, magazine subscriptions, religious schemes, and survey scams.

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Live Intelligence

What we are watching across Maryland right now. Maintained weekly by the Sentinel Silver research team.

Highest Risk in Maryland

Social Security Administration Impersonation
IRS Tax Debt & Arrest Warrant Threats
Medicare Card Replacement Fraud
FBI / DOJ Investigation Threats
DEA Drug Trafficking Allegations

Maryland-Specific Threats

Maryland Comptroller Tax Debt Threats
Maryland MVA License Suspension Scams
Maryland Department of Health Scams
Maryland Department of Aging Benefit Fraud
Maryland Medicaid Eligibility Fraud

Emerging AI-Enhanced Scams

AI-Generated Deepfake Video Scams
AI Voice Cloning Family Emergency
AI Celebrity Endorsement Deepfakes
Cryptocurrency Recovery Scams
'Wrong Number' Cultivation Scams

Recently Documented

U.S. Marshals Service Arrest Warrant
DHS / ICE Deportation Threats
USPS Customs Fee Smishing
Maryland Comptroller Tax Debt Threats
Maryland MVA License Suspension Scams

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Every Scam Targeting Maryland's Older Adults, In One Place

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