A caller claims to be a Maryland police officer, sheriff's deputy, or FBI agent. They tell you there is a warrant for your arrest, that you missed jury duty, or that your Social Security number is tied to a crime. They demand immediate payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency to "clear it up." A Montgomery County woman lost $10,000 this way in a single five-hour phone call.

"This is Officer [Name] with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. We have a warrant for your arrest for failing to appear for jury duty. You need to post bond immediately. Stay on the phone — if you hang up, we will dispatch a car to your home."

• Hang up immediately. Real police will never call you about a warrant.
• Call your local police department directly using a number you look up yourself.
• Tell a family member or trusted friend before doing anything else.

• Never pay anyone in gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. No real agency accepts these.
• Never stay on the line because they tell you to. They count on isolation.
• Never keep this secret. Scammers always say "do not tell anyone." That phrase is the giveaway.

A caller claims to be your grandchild — or actually sounds like them, because scammers now use AI voice cloning from social media videos. They say they have been arrested, in a car accident, or kidnapped, and they need bail money or hospital fees right now. They beg you not to tell their parents. The U.S. Postal Inspector has formally warned that scammers are using AI-generated voices to mimic family members. Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman has confirmed this trend statewide.

"Grandma, it's me. I'm in trouble. I got into an accident and they arrested me. Please don't tell Mom or Dad — they'll kill me. I need $5,000 for bail. The lawyer is going to call you next."

• Hang up. Then call your grandchild directly on the number you have for them.
• Call your grandchild's parents — even if the caller begged you not to.
• Establish a family safe word now, before this happens. Something only your real family knows.

• Never send money based on a phone call alone — no matter how much it sounds like family.
• Never agree to keep it secret from other family members.
• Never say your grandchild's name first. Let the caller say it. Many scammers fish: "Hi Grandma, do you know who this is?" Do not help them.

A text message claims your water, electric, or gas service is about to be shut off because of an unpaid bill. It includes a link to a fake payment website that looks identical to the real utility company. When you enter your bank or card information, scammers drain the account. Howard County residents have been hit hard by this in recent weeks. The amount is usually small — $89, $145 — to make it feel low-stakes and urgent.

"FINAL NOTICE: Your water service at [your address] will be disconnected today at 2:00 PM unless payment of $145.32 is made immediately. Pay here: [fake link]. Service restoration fee: $250."

• Delete the text. Do not click any link.
• Call your utility directly using the number on a past paper bill — never a number from the text.
• Report the text to your county's Scam Squad or to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

• Never click links inside text messages from numbers you do not recognize.
• Never enter bank or card information on a website you got to through a text link.
• Never pay because of urgency. Real utilities give you written notice weeks in advance.

A pop-up appears on your computer screen with a loud beeping sound, claiming Microsoft, Apple, or Norton has detected a virus. It tells you to call a "support number" immediately. The "technician" who answers asks for remote access to your computer, then either steals your files, drains your bank account, or charges you hundreds for fake "repairs." A Florida man was federally charged in July 2025 for stealing $20,000 from a single Maryland older adult through this scheme.

"Your computer has been infected with a virus that is sending your banking information to hackers. Do not turn off your computer or you will lose all your files. Call Microsoft Security at 1-800-XXX-XXXX immediately. We can fix it remotely for $499."

• Turn off the computer or close the browser. The pop-up cannot harm you if you do not interact with it.
• Call Sentinel Silver. We will check your device for free and tell you if it is actually compromised.
• If the pop-up has audio, restart your computer. The audio is fake.

• Never call the number on a pop-up. Microsoft and Apple do not put phone numbers in pop-ups.
• Never give anyone remote access to your computer based on a pop-up warning.
• Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency for "tech support."

A caller claims to be from your bank's fraud department, Amazon security, or even the FTC itself. They say someone has compromised your account and you need to move your money to a "safe account" — or they tell you to buy gift cards and read them the codes "to verify your identity." Gift card scams are the most-reported scam type in Maryland's 2024 senate fraud report. The Maryland Office of Financial Regulation has formally warned that no legitimate agency or bank ever asks you to move money or buy gift cards.

"This is Bank of America fraud prevention. Someone in California is trying to wire $8,000 from your account right now. To protect your savings, we need you to move it to a federal holding account. Stay on the line — do not hang up or use your computer until this is resolved."

• Hang up. Call your bank using the phone number printed on the back of your debit card.
• Tell your bank exactly what the caller said. They will investigate.
• Maryland's new Vulnerable Adult Banking Protection Act lets your bank refuse suspicious transfers — your bank is on your side.

• Never move money to a "safe account." There is no such thing.
• Never read gift card numbers to anyone over the phone. No agency or bank accepts gift cards.
• Never stay on the line because they say to. Hanging up does not put you in danger. It protects you.