Attorney general's office adding new resources to protect seniors from scams

by Imani Fleming

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

New Hampshire's Attorney General's Office is adding new resources to help protect seniors from abuse, neglect and scams.

The Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit is adding three new positions to its team to not only help older adults who have been victimized by financial advisers or caregivers but also to help educate them on what that abuse can look like. 

Assistant Attorney General Bryan Townsend said the most common scams against elders are financially related, including fake calls from the IRS and Social Security Administration threatening arrest or the lives of an older adult's family members.

He said the attorney general's office has a plan to increase, expand and strengthen its existing resources to hold people accountable who violate their positions of trust.

By adding a new prosecutor, law enforcement investigator and investigative paralegal to the team, Townsend said they will increase the number of cases they prosecute and look into each year.

Townsend addressed a community of seniors on Monday, saying it's important to report instances of abuse so victims understand the services available to them when it happens.

"The important message is that we see these cases happen all the time," Townsend said. "It's important to remember you're not alone and that this happens to people across the state. And so, it's important to get the word out. It's important to report."

The unit will be working with prosecutors from county attorney's offices on its efforts. Townsend about 37,000 adults in the Granite State are victims of neglect and abuse each year.

Full Article & Source:
Attorney general's office adding new resources to protect seniors from scams