Elder Fraud and Abuse

United States Attorney William P. Barr recently stated that crimes against the elderly target some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Because of their stage in life, they don't have the opportunity frequently to recover, and the losses are devastating to them.

Whether as the result of isolation, diminished cognition, financial insecurity, trusting too much, being ashamed to report being scammed or concerned about how relatives will react, serious concern for health or other causes, many of these crimes go unreported. 

Six resources have been provided for the review and use of our citizens to reduce and combat elder scam and abuse. They provide protection information from the FBI, the Department of Justice and the Better Business Bureau.

See  "Fraud Target: Senior Citizens" describing how to protect yourself and your family, counterfeit prescription drugs, funeral and cemetery fraud, fraudulent "anti-aging" products and telemarketing fraud.

For more information, click here: www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes

Twenty-three types of scams are discussed.

The video below discusses scams and identity theft, looks at trends and gives tips and tools with a focus on the Federal Trade Commission's Pass It On  Campaign: 

Extent of elder abuse, causes and characteristics, addressing mistreatment, financial exploration and perpetrators:

Contains prosecutor video series, federal financial exploitation resources, rural and tribal resources, multidisciplinary guide and toolkit, webinars for elder abuse professionals, elder abuse statutes and elder justice resources by state:

https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice

The BBB tracks reported scams throughout the U.S.

If you become aware of elder fraud and/or abuse, you are right to be concerned. If you SEE SOMETHING, please SAY SOMETHING to law enforcement in a timely manner and give us the opportunity to try to help you.