Elder Financial Exploitation in Montgomery County: Who to Call and What to Save
If you suspect an older adult is being pressured, deceived, or deprived of money in Montgomery County, start by protecting the person and stopping further transactions. Call 911 for immediate danger. For suspected exploitation of a vulnerable adult, call Montgomery County Adult Protective Services at 240-777-3000; for a deceptive business transaction, contact the county Office of Consumer Protection at 240-777-3636.
The right number depends on what happened. This guide separates the local options, shows what information to save, and gives families a calm first-hour checklist.
Why this is a real Montgomery County need
Montgomery County’s 2026 Age-Friendly Community Needs Assessment identified elder abuse and financial exploitation as a persistent local gap. In fiscal year 2025, 32% of Adult Protective Services investigations included a financial-exploitation component, up from 22% in fiscal year 2015. The report also notes that cases involving relatives or other trusted people may be especially unlikely to be reported.
Financial exploitation is broader than a stranger’s scam call. It can include unauthorized withdrawals, misuse of a debit card, pressure to change an account or deed, a caregiver taking money, an online impersonation scheme, or a contractor collecting payment for work that is not performed.
What to do in the first hour
Speed matters, but panic makes it harder to preserve evidence. If money, account access, or identifying information may be at risk, use this order:
Address immediate safety. Call 911 if there is a threat, coercion, violence, or a person at the home who will not leave.
Call the financial institution. Use the number printed on the bank card or an official statement. Ask whether a transfer can be stopped, an account can be restricted, or a card can be replaced.
Do not send more money. A person promising to recover stolen funds for an advance fee may be running a second scam.
Preserve the trail. Save texts, emails, voicemails, envelopes, receipts, usernames, transaction confirmations, and the date and time of each contact.
Choose the right reporting door. Adult Protective Services, police, and Consumer Protection have different roles. You may need more than one.
Which local office should you call?
Adult Protective Services: suspected exploitation of a vulnerable adult
Montgomery County Adult Protective Services investigates suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults age 18 or older. The county defines a vulnerable adult as someone who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for daily needs.
Call 240-777-3000. The county says reports may be made anonymously, are confidential, and are accepted through a 24-hour service. You do not need to prove the case before calling. Give the intake screener the facts you observed, the person’s location, immediate safety concerns, and why you believe the adult may be vulnerable. Maryland’s statewide backup number is 1-800-91-PREVENT (1-800-917-7383).
Montgomery County Police: danger, theft, threats, or an active crime
Call 911 for an emergency. For a non-emergency report, Montgomery County lists 301-279-8000 as the Police Department’s 24-hour number in its abuse-reporting guidance. Police involvement may be appropriate when money has been stolen, someone is making threats, forged documents are involved, or a crime may still be underway. Ask for a report or case number and write it down.
Office of Consumer Protection: deceptive contractors or merchants
If the problem involves a contractor, repair shop, seller, or other business transaction, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection can investigate and help resolve qualifying consumer complaints. Call 240-777-3636, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or file a consumer complaint online. The complaint process asks for supporting documents; send copies, not originals.
Consumer Protection is not a substitute for 911 or Adult Protective Services. It is the better fit for an unfair or deceptive marketplace transaction, while APS focuses on the safety and welfare of a vulnerable adult.
What if the person lives in assisted living or a nursing home?
Financial exploitation of a vulnerable resident can still be reported to APS at 240-777-3000. For other concerns about a nursing home or assisted living resident’s rights, care, or treatment, the Montgomery County Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be reached at 240-777-3369. My Montgomery County ombudsman guide explains that separate process.
What information should you save?
A short, factual record is more useful than a long argument with the suspected person. Gather what you can safely access:
The older adult’s name, address, and safe callback number.
A plain description of what happened, including dates, amounts, and how the request or transfer was made.
Names, phone numbers, email addresses, usernames, vehicle details, or business names connected to the concern.
Bank alerts, transaction records, canceled checks, contracts, invoices, screenshots, and voicemails.
The names of witnesses and the report, complaint, or case numbers issued by each agency.
Do not secretly enter an account you are not authorized to access, take original documents, or confront a suspected exploiter alone. If access or safety is uncertain, tell the intake worker what you know and ask what to do next.
How to talk with an older adult without increasing shame
Start with specific observations instead of accusations: “I noticed three unusual withdrawals” is easier to discuss than “You were scammed.” Ask whether the person feels pressured, whether anyone told them to keep the transaction secret, and whether they want help calling the bank.
A capable adult may make decisions other people dislike. The key questions are whether deception, intimidation, undue influence, theft, or impaired decision-making is involved. If vulnerability or safety is unclear, APS can screen the concern. Avoid posting private details on social media or arguing in front of the person who may be exerting pressure.
A simple prevention plan for Montgomery County families
Turn on bank and credit-card alerts for large purchases, transfers, address changes, and new payees.
Choose a trusted contact at financial institutions where that option is available; a trusted contact does not automatically gain authority over the account.
Use a family verification phrase for urgent calls requesting money, and call relatives back at a number already saved.
Keep insurance policies, account lists, and legal documents in a secure place, with a trusted person told how to find them in an emergency.
Create a small support circle. A dependable neighbor or Village contact can reduce isolation without giving anyone unnecessary access to money.
For related planning, see my guide to free and low-cost legal help in Montgomery County, the File of Life emergency information program, and Montgomery County’s senior Village network. These are public or community resources; using them does not require purchasing insurance from Forest Brook Financial.
One useful next step
Save 240-777-3000 in your phone as “Montgomery County APS,” then share this guide with the caregiver or family member who would help you make a report. A clear number and a short written timeline can make the first call much easier.
Comments