The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and the Guilford County court system don’t accept Walmart gift cards as payment for fines – so if someone tells you they’re with law enforcement or the courts and you need to pay a fine with those gift cards by 5 p.m. today, you might want to think twice.
The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is rolling out a new effort aimed at one of the fastest-growing targets for criminals – older adults – and it’s inviting the public to take part.
The Sheriff’s Office has announced an upcoming “Senior Academy,” a free, four-week program designed to give seniors and their caregivers practical tools to recognize scams, avoid fraud and stay safe in their homes and communities.
The program will run through a series of weekly sessions in May, with the opening class scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the academy is intended to be hands-on and provide real-world examples of what people need to be wary of, with participants encouraged to take part in discussions rather than simply sit through lectures.
Topics will include scam and fraud prevention, home safety, elder abuse awareness and legal readiness – all areas that law enforcement officials say are becoming increasingly important as criminals find new ways to target older residents.
Officials say participants will receive practical, real-world advice on how to spot warning signs, avoid common traps and respond if something doesn’t seem right.
The program is being offered at no cost, but it does come with one requirement: Participants are expected to attend all four sessions.
Those who complete the program will receive a certificate at the end.
The sessions are scheduled for May 5, May 12, May 19 and May 27.
The opening session and subsequent classes will be held at Mount Zion Baptist Church in the atrium mezzanine area of the East Campus, located at 1301 Alamance Church Road in Greensboro.
The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging not only seniors but also caregivers and family members to consider attending, noting that financial scams and fraud schemes often affect entire families.
Officials also emphasized that education is one of the most effective ways to prevent these types of crimes.
Scams targeting seniors have become more sophisticated in recent years, often involving phone calls, emails, text messages or even in-person interactions designed to create urgency or fear. Victims are frequently pressured into making quick decisions involving money, personal information or access to accounts.
In recent years, scammers have also used the names of the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office and the Guilford County court system as part of their schemes. Some have called – even spoofing the county’s 641 prefix on caller ID – and told people they have an outstanding warrant and must pay immediately or face arrest. Another scam involves callers claiming someone missed jury duty and must pay a fine with a credit card. UPS notifications have also been used frequently in scams.
The tricks scammers use have come a long way from the days of emails about Nigerian princes needing a few hundred dollars so you can make tens of thousands.
And, of course, AI has taken things to a whole new level: Now scammers can use computers to replicate voices of, say, teenagers, and parents may receive a call from what sounds like their son or daughter in trouble asking for money immediately.
Law enforcement agencies across the country have repeatedly warned that once money is sent in these types of scams, it is often difficult – if not impossible – to recover.
That’s one reason programs like the Senior Academy have been gaining traction. By focusing on prevention and awareness, officials hope to stop scams before they happen.
Participants in the academy will also have the opportunity to ask questions and share their own experiences, which can help others recognize similar situations.
The Sheriff’s Office says that kind of interaction is a key part of the program’s value.
Community members who wish to attend must register in advance.
Registration is being handled through Retired Sergeant T. Gilchrist, who can be reached by phone at 336-317-7332 or by email at tgilchr@guilfordcountync.gov.
The Sheriff’s Office is also inviting members of the media to attend the opening session or register for the full program – and it’s encouraging local news outlets to help spread the word.
With Guilford County’s population of older adults continuing to grow, officials say efforts like this are becoming more important.
The goal, they say, is simple: Give seniors the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves.
