An 81-year-old West Linn woman drove to two banks to withdraw $18,000 after a caller posing as an IRS agent demanded immediate payment. The caller ordered her to stay on the phone the entire time.

She managed to alert her son, who called police. The suspect, Xianlong Zhang, 34, was arrested when he showed up to collect the cash. Zhang fled to China roughly two weeks later.

Deputy District Attorney Tiffany Escover, who chairs the Clackamas County Vulnerable Adult Multi-Disciplinary Team, pointed to the case as exactly the kind of crime her team is trying to prevent. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Escover's team is staffing a booth at the Clackamas County Fair in Canby during Senior Day, handing out scam-awareness packets and answering questions from fairgoers.

"Many of these scams originate from other countries, which significantly impairs our ability to prosecute – so prevention is key," Escover said in the county's announcement Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The booth is free. Senior Day admission is $2 for visitors 65 and older and free for those 75 and older. The fair runs Tuesday, Aug. 18, through Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE 4th Ave., Canby.

What to watch for

The DA's Office identifies five schemes that commonly target seniors:

  • A caller impersonating a relative in distress who needs money
  • Someone posing as a government official from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, the courts or a police agency
  • A call from a bank, mortgage company or debt collector about a supposed financial problem
  • Offers of romance or friendship from strangers
  • Too-good-to-be-true sweepstakes prizes or high-risk investment pitches involving gold or cryptocurrency

Regardless of the specific pitch, Escover's team says scammers rely on three consistent tactics: pretending to be someone you trust, manufacturing urgency and pressuring victims to send money before they can verify the situation.

The office also warns that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of people victims know and to generate fake photos.

How to report

Residents who suspect elder financial abuse can contact Adult Protective Services at 971-673-6655 or the Clackamas County Victim Assistance program at 503-655-8616. Clackamas County Senior Resources is available at 503-650-5622.

Upcoming

  • Through Saturday, Aug. 22 — Clackamas County Fair, Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE 4th Ave., Canby. clackamascountyfair.com