DURHAM, NC (Wednesday, August 13, 2025) – The Durham County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a home health care worker on multiple felony charges, including Exploitation of an Elder/Disabled Adult, following an investigation into fraudulent activity targeting a Durham woman.

In mid-July, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the daughter of a Durham woman who reported that several checks were missing from her mother’s checkbook. The daughter discovered that three of the checks had been cashed and that the payee was a former in-home caregiver.

The suspect was identified as Victoria Lowry, 33, of Red Springs, NC. Lowry was employed by Lilies of Hope Health Agency, which is based in Lumberton, NC. The Durham County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division determined that in addition to the three checks written to Lowry, several bottles of the victim's prescription medication were also missing from the home.

On Tuesday, August 12, with the assistance of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, Lowry was arrested without incident at her home in Red Springs. She has been charged with:

• One (1) count of Exploitation of Elder/Disabled Adult
• Three (3) counts of Uttering Forged Endorsement
• One (1) count of Obtaining Property by False Pretense

Lowry is scheduled for a first appearance in Durham County court on Thursday, August 14.

To help protect loved ones from potential fraud by a caregiver, the Sheriff’s Office offers the following advice:

• Secure financial documents: Keep checks, financial statements, and credit cards in a locked file cabinet.
• Require receipts: Always require receipts for purchases made by caregivers or helpers.
• Monitor accounts: Regularly monitor bank accounts and telephone bills. Consider an automatic bill pay system or setting up transaction alerts that a trusted third party can also monitor.
• Maintain control of finances: Do not allow hired caregivers to open mail, pay bills, or manage finances.
• Avoid financial promises: Never promise money or assets in exchange for care.
• Do not lend money: Never lend employees money or personal property.
• Use secure methods for errands: Do not allow caregivers to use your credit or debit card for errands or purchases.
• Protect valuables: Secure valuables such as jewelry and other personal property.
• Review credit reports: Check your free credit reports annually at www.annualcreditreport.com.