Sheriff’s office urges caution as seniors lose money to financial schemes

CARROLL COUNTY, Ga. — The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an increase in financial schemes targeting older adults.

Perpetrators are posing as law enforcement officers, government agencies and financial institutions to create fear and urgency, pressuring victims to transfer or withdraw money before questioning the demands.

Authorities say community members have already lost a substantial amount of money to these schemes.

Sheriff’s officials say once a victim willingly sends, transfers or withdraws funds at a scammer’s direction, financial institutions are often unable to recover the money.

Schemers frequently claim that a victim’s bank account is at risk or that an active warrant has been issued for their arrest. Perpetrators can also alter caller ID to make incoming calls appear to originate from a local phone number, bank or legitimate agency.

The sheriff’s office stated that law enforcement agencies will never call residents demanding money to clear a warrant or avoid arrest. Official government actions involving fund restrictions or asset seizures follow a formal legal process that includes proper notice and an opportunity to respond.

Government agencies and financial institutions will not instruct individuals to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, use cryptocurrency or transfer funds into a separate account for safekeeping.

Authorities urge people to never disclose account numbers, PINs, passwords or verification codes to any unsolicited caller.

Officials urge community members to discuss these schemes with older relatives and friends, noting that scammers deliberately target older adults who may be more trusting of callers claiming to represent law enforcement or financial institutions.

Anyone pressuring a caller to act immediately should be met by hanging up and calling the official organization directly using a known, verified phone number.

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