States launch efforts to protect older adults from fraud

by Lois A. Bowers

Florida Department of Elder Affairs Sec. Michelle Branham speaks at retirement community Cypress Village in Jacksonville, FL, during an Operation Senior Shield event, with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins looking on. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Grissom and Cypress Village via LeadingAge Southeast)

Two states recently launched efforts to protect older adults from fraud. 

In Florida, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Florida Department of Elder Affairs Sec. Michelle Branham have introduced Operation Senior Shield, a statewide initiative to try to ensure that older adults, caregivers and providers have timely and practical information to stay one step ahead of emerging scams, fraud and financial exploitation. And in Pennsylvania, Attorney General Dave Sunday has launched the Office of Attorney General’s Elder Exploitation Section, an expansion of protections and services for older adults, with a focus on deterring financial theft and holding offenders criminally responsible.

In the Sunshine State, Operation Senior Shield provides older adults, caregivers, and families with free scam alerts, enhanced statewide coordination with law enforcement, and tools to stay informed and secure.

“With real-time alerts, a statewide fraud strike team and tools that help seniors recognize scams before they happen, we are putting the power back in their hands,” Collins said.

Operation Senior Shield also encourages people to speak with the older adults in their lives, review suspicious emails or calls together, and share the alerts with family, neighbors and community groups.

Branham said that “[w]hen a senior is targeted or exploited, it doesn’t just affect their bank account — it shakes their dignity, their confidence and their sense of security. …We are taking decisive action to push back, stay ahead of these criminals and give our seniors the protection and peace of mind they deserve.”

Kristen Knapp, APR, senior director of strategy and communications for the Florida Health Care Association, the state affiliate of the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living, said that the association supports the effort.

“Residents in our state’s long-term care centers are among our most vulnerable, and safeguarding them from scammers begins with empowerment,” she said. “Operation Senior Shield is a great tool for our seniors, and we applaud our state leaders for creating a tool that will give them clear information, practical knowledge, and trusted resources to recognize warning signs and stay safe from fraud.”

LeadingAge Southeast said that as part of its mission to advocate, educate and serve, it “supports efforts that reinforce safety and security for older adults, particularly at a time when scams targeting older adults are becoming increasingly sophisticated.”

The initiative, said LeadingAge Southeast President and CEO  Steve Bahmer, “represents the kind of forward-thinking leadership that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults.”

Operation Senior Shield is available to all Floridians at no cost. Residents and caregivers can sign up to receive alerts and educational updates designed to help identify, prevent and report scams targeting older adults.

Keystone State prioroties

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the Office of Attorney General’s Elder Exploitation Section primarily will focus on cases involving financial exploitation, deception and theft affecting older state residents — typically perpetrated by relatives, caregivers or appointed conservators and powers of attorney.

“These cases are as heartbreaking as they are financially devastating to the senior victims, who are oftentimes deceived out of their life savings by someone they trust,” Sunday said.

The section, led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Schneider and Chief Agent Lucas Miller, was created by reassigning existing staff members who have backgrounds and experience in elder law.

It already is up and running, pursuing about 30 cases.

“These are complex cases, involving meticulous review of financial records and other documents. Municipal police departments may not have the resources required to take on these investigations,” according to the attorney general’s office. That office also will continue efforts through other sections and staff, including the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Health Care Section, the Office of Public Engagement and the Medicaid Fraud Control Section, among others.

Susan Saxinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association, a state partner of Argentum, applauded the establishment of the section.

“Protecting our seniors from financial exploitation is a critical priority, and this dedicated section will provide much-needed resources to investigate cases and hold offenders accountable,” she said. “By working collaboratively with law enforcement, advocacy groups and the aging community, we can help ensure that older Pennsylvanians can live safely and with confidence that their life savings and well-being are protected.”

Michael Jacobs, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Health Care Association, a state affiliate of AHCA/NCAL, said that older adults who live in senior living communities and nursing homes operated by members “deserve the highest level of safety and security, and the attorney general’s effort to launch the Elder Exploitation Section will help to do just that.”

Chuck Quinnan, LeadingAge Pennsylvania senior vice president and chief of government affairs, said that the group “welcome[s] this step toward greater safety and justice for older adults.

“Together with our members, we embrace the shared responsibility of educating and enhancing the well-being of seniors across the commonwealth,” he continued. 

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States launch efforts to protect older adults from fraud