Sheriff encourages seniors to utilize department of justice scam information site

​YORK COUNTY – Sheriff Paul Vrbka is encouraging senior citizens to utilize a website provided by the United States Department of Justice which specifically provides information to help protect them against scams.

​“They are constantly providing information about the latest, newest scams being attempted, many of which we see here,” Sheriff Vrbka said. “Scammers are getting more and more inventive and they are trying new tactics every day. The really scary part, the more disgusting part, is how they seem to really target, go after older people. The Elder Justice Initiative website is a great resource to help older individuals know what to look for, listen for, so they can avoid being scammed.
“Unfortunately, we see people being taken advantage of, losing money, to scams every day,” the sheriff continued. “Recently, I had an elderly woman come to the sheriff’s department, all upset because she had received a text or call saying we were coming to arrest her over back taxes. Well, of course, that was absolutely not true and we reassured her we weren’t after her and it was all just a scam. Thankfully, she came to us first and didn’t give the scammers any money like they wanted. But unfortunately, they sometimes get a lot of money out of people before they realize it’s fraud, and then it’s just too late.”
The Elder Justice Initiative site is justice.gov/elderjustice. It provides information about the latest scams, financial exploitation, victim specialists and more. Sheriff Vrbka stressed how this site is a valid site, as it is provided by the Department of Justice.
“And of course, please, reach out to us if you are the victim of a scam or if someone has attempted to make you a victim,” Sheriff Vrbka said. “The best thing to remember is to not answer calls or click on links from anyone you do not know. Never give out your personal information and if someone is threatening you with the given solution being you wiring them money or sending gift cards or providing bank information – know it’s fraudulent. They are relentless in getting as many victims as they can – just stay informed and if something sounds too good to be true or off kilter, just hang up.”