On Elder Abuse Awareness Day Seniors Told: Be Alert to Scams

SOURCE;  Amber Frost for Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office 

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), June 15, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office is reminding the community to stay vigilant against the growing threat of financial exploitation and scams targeting older adults.

“Seniors in our community are being targeted by increasingly deceptive and aggressive schemes,” said Santa Barbara County District Attorney John T. Savrnoch. “This isn’t just a national issue, it’s a local one.

“That’s why, in observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we’re urging everyone to stay alert, speak up, and report suspected fraud.”

To help prevent elder financial abuse, the District Attorney’s Office provides educational presentations and outreach to senior centers, faith-based groups, and community organizations.

“We want the community to know that help is available,” said Savrnoch. “If you or someone close to you suspects a scam or is experiencing financial exploitation, report it immediately to local law enforcement or our office.

“No one should face this alone. We’re here to support you.”

As part of the office’s ongoing efforts to keep the public informed, Chief Investigator Kristina Perkins hosts a weekly podcast “Scam Squad,” which educates the community about common and emerging scams and offers practical tips on how to stay protected.

“Scam Squad” airs on Young at Heart on KTMS Newstalk 990 at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9:30 a.m. Sundays; or listeners can access the podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

To report suspected fraud or request resources, call the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s fraud hotline, 805-568-2442. 

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On Elder Abuse Awareness Day Seniors Told: Be Alert to Scams 

Executor embezzles $3.7 million from dementia patient, exposing a growing elder-fraud crisis

When a 66-year-old trustee systematically drained $3.7 million from his 92-year-old dementia patient’s accounts, it laid bare the devastating human toll behind soaring elder-fraud statistics. Now, cooperatives like Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union are responding with age-friendly alerts, legal safe harbors, red-flag training, and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day initiatives to turn data into decisive protection.

After befriending a 92-year-old woman who suffered from senile dementia—and, after being named her executor and trustee, a 66-year-old man systematically drained $3.7 million from her accounts through withdrawals, checks, and credit-card charges.  

The man then squandered the funds on lavish vacations, gourmet dining, high-end shopping, theater tickets, alcohol—and even extensive plastic surgery—leaving the woman’s estate and heirs virtually penniless.  

That’s all, according to the district attorney, who condemned the crime as a “take advantage of an elderly woman suffering from senile dementia,” noting that the betrayal not only robbed the woman of her lifetime savings but also violated the fiduciary duty he was entrusted to uphold.

Unfortunately, this type of crime is common. In 2024, older Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25 percent increase over 2023’s $10 billion—while victims aged 60 and older filed 147,127 complaints with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, reporting $4.9 billion in losses (a 43 percent jump).  

What elder financial exploitation is—and why it matters

The Department of Justice defines elder financial exploitation as the improper use of an age-60-or-older adult's funds, property, or resources by another individual, including, but not limited to, fraud, false pretenses, embezzlement, conspiracy, forgery, falsifying records, coercion, property transfers, or denying them access to their wealth.

The figures above underscore not only the scale of financial harm but also the urgency for proactive defenses.  

The most common types

In conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union posted a news item stressing how tellers and member-services staff become the first line of defense in daily interactions.  

Appalachian Community FCU also shared a list of the most common elderly financial abuse:

• Property theft
• Misuse of income or assets
• Forged checks
• Fraudulent use of Power of Attorney privileges
• Lotteries and phony contests
• Phony solicitation from charities
• Investment fraud
• Medical scams
• Contractor scams
• Grandparent/grandchild imposter emergency scams
• Sweetheart or romance scams

Common schemes and red flags  

There are warning signs that credit unions can be mindful of. It might be something as eye-catching as sudden large withdrawals or abrupt shifts in an investment strategy. It could be something as subtle as a new signer on an established account. These often occur through common schemes:

Family or caregivers: Misuse of joint accounts or powers of attorney remains prevalent.  

Strangers: Romance scams, tech-support imposters, and “grandparent emergency” pitches drive urgent wire-transfer requests.  

Financial professionals: High-pressure investment solicitations and unauthorized transfers occur often enough that many states now permit temporary “report-and-hold” freezes when exploitation is suspected.  

Credit unions as front-line defenders

At Achieva Credit Union’s Clearwater branch in early 2025, an 89-year-old member arrived to withdraw $9,500 after receiving a call from someone claiming to be her grandson’s attorney. Teller Jennifer Sgro recognized the unusually large, urgent request, engaged the member in conversation, and then quietly called the grandson—who was safe and unaware of any legal trouble—and the member’s daughter.  

Sgro subsequently notified local law enforcement and placed the transaction on hold, effectively blocking the scammer and preserving the member’s life savings. This swift, informed response underscores how empowered frontline staff—armed with red-flag training and trusted-contact procedures—can turn routine withdrawals into critical fraud interventions.

Credit unions can consider how to establish their own red-flag alerts and rapid interventions:

Trusted contacts. Encourage members to designate a trusted third party—often a family member—whom staff may alert before questionable transactions proceed. Collect the trusted contact’s information at account opening.

Legal safe harbor. The Senior Safe Act and FINRA/SEC guidelines shield good-faith staff who pause or report suspicious transactions from liability.

Mandatory training. Institutions leverage up-to-date modules—from CFPB’s Office for Older Americans to NASAA/FINRA toolkits—to refresh red-flag recognition annually.

Embed fraud alerts. Place fraud alerts within e-statements, mobile-app banners, and lobby signage.  

Formalize “report-and-hold” procedures. Aligned procedures with state safe-harbor statutes to freeze suspect disbursements up to 15 days.  

Host World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events. For example, EECU Credit Union (Fort Worth, Tex.) is planning an on-campus “Purple Pep Rally & Walk” on June 13, 2025, to demonstrate an in-person community campaign—complete with purple tees, informational booths, and survivor testimonials—to raise local awareness of elder-exploitation schemes.

With more than $12.5 billion in verified 2024 losses and nearly 150,000 elder-victim complaints, the imperative for credit unions is clear. By embedding age-friendly features and equipping staff with current red-flag training, credit unions can protect their members’ savings and strengthen trust at every branch.  

Full Article & Source:
Executor embezzles $3.7 million from dementia patient, exposing a growing elder-fraud crisis 

Montreal police visit isolated seniors on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Montreal Police officers and community groups joined forces in LaSalle on Thursday. They were checking in on seniors, providing information about abuse prevention, fraud and theft. They were also letting them know what resources are available to help. Global's Felicia Parrillo reports.

Source:
Montreal police visit isolated seniors on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

A Proclamation on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2022

 

June 14, 2022 • Statements and Releases

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

It is more vital than ever that we ensure our older adults can age with the dignity, security, and appreciation that every person deserves.  Honoring and respecting older Americans is a matter of basic human dignity and justice — it is part of the character of our Nation.  Yet every year, many Americans aged 60 and older experience abuse and neglect.  On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we join the international community to raise awareness and help end elder abuse here at home and across the world. 

Elder abuse takes many forms, such as financial, emotional, physical, and sexual harm, including intimate partner violence in later life.  It often comes in the form of neglect, abandonment, or exploitation.  It is estimated that approximately 1 in 10 elderly Americans are abused annually.  However, many of those who are abused suffer in silence, and many cases are never reported or brought to light.  In the past few years, while the pandemic isolated all of us to different extents, it especially exacerbated the isolation felt by too many older adults.  All of us have a role to play in preventing elder abuse and ensuring that our Nation’s seniors are able to age with dignity.  With a majority of elder abuse victims being women, my Administration is focused particularly on improving our support for all women and preventing and addressing gender-based violence that impacts older adults both domestically and abroad.

We must remain steadfast in our commitment to preventing elder abuse.  My Administration allotted $178 million through the American Rescue Plan and the COVID-19 recovery bill to improve and strengthen the work of Adult Protective Services (APS).  Additionally, my budget proposal for 2023 would provide ongoing support for APS and State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs.  Our comprehensive, collaborative efforts to respond to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation include initiatives to reform guardianship, support adult decision-making, crack down on scammers and fraudsters, and empower victims of exploitation.  Our commitment to supporting survivors of all ages is reflected in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which includes dedicated Federal funds to support survivor service providers, law enforcement, and prosecutors working to respond to domestic and sexual violence experienced by older adults.

As we continue to build a better America, we must ensure that we bring everyone along.  That is why my Administration is committed to safeguarding the rights of those who live in retirement and shared residential settings.  I have called on the Congress to deliver significant reforms to improve the safety and quality of care in our Nation’s nursing homes.  Recognizing the critical work of caregivers, I have also proposed measures to create a strong and well-compensated caregiving workforce to advance the well-being of our Nation’s older adults.  By ensuring a high quality of life and care for older Americans, we can support every community and honor the dignity of every person. 

On this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us recommit to delivering all older Americans the promise of a comfortable and peaceful life with dignity.  Let us reaffirm our commitment to a world free from the scourge of abuse and neglect.  Let us join the world in celebrating the essential role older adults play in our lives.  

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2022, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  I encourage all Americans to be diligent, work togetherto strengthen existing partnerships, and develop new opportunities to improve our Nation’s prevention and response to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR

 

Source:

A Proclamation on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, 2022 

Louisiana to raise awareness about elder abuse in June

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to be recognized on June 15.

by Morgan Lentes

View Video

NEW ORLEANS —

Louisiana will recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15.

In the New Orleans Metro area, the Gretna Council on Aging's Office, which is located 476 Franklin Street, will host an event to answer questions for people wishing to be advocates for older individuals. That event is happening from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Ebony Thomas-Phillips, with the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs, told WDSU that cases of elder abuse often go underreported in the state.

"We estimate that we are only receiving one in 10 cases that are actually occurring," said Thomas-Phillips. "Here in Louisiana, over the last fiscal year, we investigated 5,500 cases of abuse, so it is prevalent."

Elder abuse comes in many forms, including physical or sexual abuse, financial exploitation and abuse of power of attorney.

"One thing we can say about elders is they pay their bills and they pay them on time," said Thomas-Phillips. "So when you see things like (late fees) that can be a red flag."

Thomas-Phillips encouraged anyone who believes elder abuse is occurring to call 833-577-6532 and file an anonymous complaint. Staff with the state's elderly protective services program will then investigate the claim.

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Louisiana to raise awareness about elder abuse in June

Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Recognizes June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day

News Provided By

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance

June 11, 2021, 17:29 GMT 

 

NASHVILLE – Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) is warning seniors and their families to be on the lookout for signs of elder financial abuse, including potential exploitation by guardians.

Tennessee’s older adults are oftentimes the targets of scammers, financial con artists, bad actors and other abusers intent on causing them harm or stealing their financial resources and dignity.

Every year, an estimated one in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. Research suggests that as few as one in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities. The Government Accountability Office recently estimated that seniors lose an estimated $2.9 billion annually nationwide to an ever-growing array of financial exploitation schemes and scams.

To help draw attention to the importance of protecting senior Tennesseans, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed Tuesday, June 15, 2021, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In support of Governor Lee’s proclamation, TDCI is joining other state departments to highlight the importance of learning the red flags of fraud and elder abuse and the steps senior Tennesseans and their guardians can take to prevent abuse.

“I am proud to join Governor Lee to highlight the importance of protecting the dignity and financial independence of Tennessee’s elder population on Elder Abuse Awareness Day,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “Consumers who have questions when it comes to investments or insurance policies should contact our team so that we might provide assistance.”

To assist consumers and raise awareness about elder abuse and fraud, TDCI provides the following resources for seniors and their families.

TDCI urges consumers to be on the lookout for signs of elder financial abuse, including potential exploitation by guardians.

A guardian, whether publicly funded or privately appointed, has a legal obligation to act in the best interest of a protected individual. Guardians often are granted extensive access and control of a protected individual’s assets.

Financial abuse or exploitation by guardians could occur if the guardian improperly uses the protected individual’s funds, securities, property or other assets.

To assist seniors, the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which TDCI’s Securities Division is a member, has developed resources to help call attention to the red flags of fraud and suspected guardian financial abuse.

The NASAA’s “Guarding the Guardians” publication provides examples of exploitation and information on how to report suspected elder financial abuse. Examples of suspected guardian abuse include:

• The guardian takes money from the protected individual’s investment portfolio to buy a new car for personal use.
• The guardian overcharges for a caregiving service, such as billing the estate hourly for wait time to file paperwork in-person when it could have been submitted online.
• The guardian does not take the protected individual to medical appointments or purchase their necessary medication.

The publication as well as other resources to help seniors are available on NASAA’s “Serve Our Seniors” website.

Identity Theft Prevention Tips

• Never buy an insurance policy, make an investment or give money to a stranger who calls or visits unannounced.
• Shred all paperwork containing any identifying information, healthcare information, banking information or passwords.
• Monitor bank and credit card statements.
• Monitor your credit report.
• Use direct deposit for benefit checks to prevent checks from being stolen.
• Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security number, Medicare number or other personal information over the phone, unless you initiated the call.
• If someone calls you and threatens you with arrest or harm unless you pay them via wire transfer or a gift card, hang up immediately. You’re dealing with a scammer. Report the call to your local law enforcement agency.

If you suspect that you or a loved one might be a victim of securities or insurance fraud, or if you would like to file a complaint or speak with an investigator, please contact the Tennessee Securities Division – Financial Services Investigations Unit at (615) 741-5900 or visit our website.

Other types of elder abuse involving abuse, neglect or exploitation should be reported to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services Unit by phone at (888) 277-8366 or online.

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Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Recognizes June 15 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Ombudsman program brings awareness of disabled adults

One of the primary responsibilities of the Long-term Care Ombudsman program is to bring awareness to people about the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults which includes long-term care residents, the elderly and disabled adults.

"Our goal is to not only stop abuse and neglect that is happening now but also to help prevent it in the future," said Scott Harding, ombudsman program supervisor. "June 15, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. And while our efforts continue every day, we want to observe this day by being more aware of elder abuse, educating ourselves on the causes and effects and resolving to do more now and in the future to protect some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society."

Elder abuse takes many forms, including physical, sexual, verbal and psychological. In the State of Oklahoma, abuse is defined as causing or allowing infliction of physical pain, injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, unreasonable restraint or confinement or mental anguish. It also includes depriving vulnerable adults of nutrition, clothing, shelter, health care or other services that can cause serious harm.

"While many people might consider physical and sexual abuse the most serious types of abuse, verbal and psychological are more prevalent and can often cause harm just as serious, and sometimes more so," said Harding.

Verbal abuse is defined as the use of words, sounds, gestures, actions, behaviors or other communication by a person responsible for providing services to a vulnerable adult that is likely to cause a reasonable person to experience humiliation, intimidation, fear, shame or degradation. While the outward signs of physical abuse may eventually heal, the scars and effects of verbal and psychological abuse may never fully heal, said Harding.

Another common form of abuse is financial exploitation which is defined as the improper use of a vulnerable adult’s financial, real or personal resources for the benefit of another person.

It is estimated that one in 10 older Americans is the victim of abuse and much of that abuse goes unreported. The various types of abuse can occur in the home, community and in long-term care facilities.

"The victims can be our loved ones, neighbors and friends. Often, the abusers are someone the victim knows well and may be their own family," said Harding.

Signs of abuse may include: unexplained injuries; drastic and sudden changes in behavior; unexplained weight loss; withdrawal from normal activities; fearfulness; depression; and more.

"Whether an advocate, loved one or just concerned citizen, everyone has a role to play in stopping and preventing elder abuse," said Harding. "If you observe or suspect abuse, report the abuse to Adult Protective Services and local law enforcement. Depending on the situation, the victim may need your care and support through such a difficult situation. If you have friends and family who are elderly or may be considered vulnerable, keep in touch with them and raise your awareness of any signs of abuse or neglect."

The APS Hotline is 800-522-3511. To find a local long-term care ombudsman, contact Scott Harding or Gina Elliott at the Area Agency on Aging, 918-682-7891. The state long-term care ombudsman office can be reached at 405-521-6734.

Full Article & Source: 
Ombudsman program brings awareness of disabled adults

Elder abuse, from physical harm to financial exploitation, is far more common than you might think: Natasha Pietrocola

Elder abuse operates in the shadows, often involving seniors who are isolated and family members who may neglect or exploit relatives they should be protecting. The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND -- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is tomorrow. It was conceived on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and recognized in 2011 by the U.N. General Assembly.

The day provides an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of the abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse. In addition, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is held in support of the U.N. International Plan of Action, acknowledging the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.

This observance serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Natasha Pietrocola is deputy administrator of the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services.

Approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and older have experienced some form of elder abuse. Some estimates range as high as 5 million elders who are abused each year. A 2003 study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities.

Abusers are both women and men. In almost 60% of elder abuse and neglect incidents, the perpetrator is a family member.

In Cuyahoga County, adult protective services is one of the programs available at the Division of Senior and Adult Services. We have the authority to investigate allegations of those 60 and older who reside in a community setting when there is an impairment and an allegation of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and/or exploitation present warranting such action. We conduct many investigations where there are multiple allegations.

Types of abuse and what they entail include:

· Physical abuse - inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult. It also includes unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with resulting physical harm.

· Sexual abuse - touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual activity with an older adult, when the older adult is unable to understand, unwilling to consent, threatened, or physically forced.

· Emotional abuse - verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment, or intimidation.

· Neglect / Self-neglect - when a caregiver, or the adult themself, fails to provide an older adult (or themself) with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. Neglect can occur unintentionally and also include willful deprivation where there is purposeful denying to an older adult needed medication, medical care, shelter, food, a therapeutic device, or other physical assistance, and an exposing of that person to the risk of physical, mental, or emotional harm — except when the older, competent adult has expressed a desire to go without.

· Financial exploitation - the unlawful or improper act of a person using, in one or more transactions, an adult’s resources for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain when the person obtained or exerted control over the adult’s resources without consent or by deception, threat or intimidation.

You may wonder what makes an older adult more susceptible to abuse. We know that social isolation and mental impairment (such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease ) are two factors. Recent studies show that nearly half of those with dementia experienced abuse or neglect. Interpersonal violence also occurs at disproportionately higher rates among adults with disabilities.

Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death when compared to those who have not been mistreated. While likely underreported, estimates of elder financial abuse and fraud costs to older Americans range from $2.9 billion to $36.5 billion annually. Yet, financial exploitation is self-reported at rates higher than emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect.

If you suspect an older adult is being subjected to elder abuse, please contact our centralized intake at (216) 420-6700 or by visiting our website at dsas.cuyahogacounty.us to make a report. We can all make a difference in combating this public health concern that affects so many of our older citizens.

Natasha Pietrocola is deputy administrator of the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services.

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Elder abuse, from physical harm to financial exploitation, is far more common than you might think: Natasha Pietrocola

Big Sky Senior Services to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Big Sky Senior Services Prevention of Elder Abuse program is commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Monday, June 15, by creating awareness of elder abuse issues. Staff will be reaching out to the senior living facilities in Billings to present purple ribbons and brochures on the types and signs of elder abuse and how to report suspicions.

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations launched the first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2006, in an effort to unite communities around the world in raising awareness about elder abuse.

Every year an estimated one in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported; as many as 23.5 cases go unreported.

Montana is aging at a faster rate than most of the other states and ranks at fifth in the nation in the percentage of people over the age of 65.

In a press release, Big Sky Senior Services encouraged community members to help by volunteering to be a phone friend to an elderly person or donating to assist the organization’s elder abuse education efforts.

Organizations interested in a presentation on elder abuse may call 406-259-3111 or go to bigskyseniorservices.org for more information.

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Big Sky Senior Services to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Tips to fight elder abuse and exploitation

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event held at the Larry R. Jackson Branch of the Lakeland Public Library.

LAKELAND — Patricia Henderson, outreach manager and community liaison for the Senior Connection Center in Tampa, said people are always asking what they can do to help fight abuse and exploitation of the elderly.

“You don’t have to see or prove it,” she said. “If you suspect it, report it.”

Henderson moderated the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event held at the Larry R. Jackson Branch of the Lakeland Public Library on Friday.

“Check on your elderly family and friends,” Henderson said. Isolation is the number one risk factor for the elderly becoming a target of abuse or exploitation, including telephone scammers or fraudulent door-to-door salespeople.

Dick Fearnow, office manager of Seniors vs. Crime, a special project of the Florida Attorney General, used as an example area law enforcement over the years receiving complaints about vacuum salesmen whose main goal was to make their way inside a home and then not leave until the elderly person either purchased the $1,800 vacuum or called police.

High-pressure sales people make the elderly feel like they need to make a decision “right now,” Fearnow said. “Do not let the other party make your decision for you.”

“If you have a gut feeling, pay attention to your gut feeling,” he added. “Never do business with someone who comes to your door, knocking, uninvited.”

Other advice Fearnow gives to seniors is to not participate in contests or surveys. “You are giving information to someone you don’t really want to have it,” he said.

Common scams include the caller saying there is a problem with “suspicious” activity on the person’s social security number, where the caller asks for the person to enter their number. Other times, callers impersonate companies such as Microsoft, saying there is a problem with the software on their computer, and they will send a free update link. When the person opens the link, a virus is downloaded, then not long afterwards, a company calls to say they will fix that person’s computer.

Fearnow said there are about 15,000 people living in Polk County that have some form of dementia, and about half of them live by themselves.

Polk County Clerk of Courts Stacey Butterfield spoke to the group about guardianships for the elderly, and addressed the matter of free court records. Some people receive notices in the mail, she said, saying their service will offer property records for $87.

“You can get that for free,” she said. “I got one in the mail. It is not technically abuse, but an exploitation.”

Cindy Sharp, supervisor of the Lakeland Police Department’s Crime Service Unit, spoke to the isolation aspect of some elderly living alone. One LPD case, she said, involved a welfare check that opened when neighbors noticed that a man’s newspapers were stacking up outside his home. When the officer arrived, some neighbors said the man was a snowbird, someone said he was on vacation. But then the officer saw water trickling down the driveway. Forcing his way into the garage, the man was discovered, having been pinned between his car and the water tank.

As a result of that case, Sharp said, the Lakeland Elderly Assistance Program (LEAP) was developed, where the elderly register with the LPD so police can reach family or resources in a hurry.

The person is given a sticker with numbers on it to put on the outside of the home. Police enter the number from the sticker into their system, which pulls up the emergency contact and other information for the resident. Sharp said there are currently about 753 people in the system.

To register for LEAP, contact Angie Ellis at the LPD at 863-834-6960. To report elderly abuse, call 911 or 1-800-96ABUSE. To report a need for services or resources to help a elderly resident with meals or care, contact 1-800-96ELDER. To report Guardianship Fraud or waste, call the Department of the Inspector General’s fraud hotline at 863-534-7776.

Full Article & Source:
Tips to fight elder abuse and exploitation

Pottsville Woman Charged for Being Part of a "Grandparents Scheme; Defrauding Victims of At Least $158,800

United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced Friday that Yahaira Diaz, 33, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was charged by Information with aggravated identity theft, mail fraud, and access device fraud. The charges against the defendant stem from her participation in what has been popularly dubbed the “Grandparents Scheme”, a type of elder financial abuse.a
 
The charges come one day in advance of “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” on June 15, 2019.

As alleged in the Information, the scheme operated as follows: an individual called an elderly victim posing as the grandchild of the victim, or posing as an attorney representing the grandchild. The caller claimed that the grandchild was in a vehicular accident and was arrested for driving under the influence (or some type of legal trouble). The caller then said that the grandchild needed money for bail or legal representation, and persuaded the victim to send thousands of dollars in cash via overnight delivery service to an address where the schemers retrieved the package. The schemers then continued to call the victim and demand more money until the victim realized that he or she had been defrauded and stopped sending money.

In those telephone calls, to further convince the grandparents to send cash, the co-schemers described the grandchild’s situation as increasingly serious: claiming that the grandchild had been arrested for driving under the influence; that a pregnant woman was involved in the accident; that the pregnant woman and her unborn child were injured or killed; that the grandchild would not be released from prison without additional funds; and that legal and other fees were mounting.

Diaz allegedly played a leadership role in this scheme, which she and her co-schemers perpetrated in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For example, she identified and arranged for access to residential locations where her co-schemers instructed victims to send the fraud proceeds. Diaz recruited and controlled additional participants in the scheme who allowed her to use their residences for the receipt of proceeds, and who helped retrieve the packages and shared the proceeds with other co-schemers.

Diaz engaged in numerous incidents of the Grandparents Scheme as well as credit card fraud, which is also charged in the Information. In the Grandparents Scheme, Diaz and her co-schemers defrauded at least 10 elderly victims of at least $158,800 and attempted to defraud those victims of at least an additional $69,000. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 72 years in prison, including a mandatory minimum term of two years in prison.

“Crimes against the elderly target some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and schemes like the ‘Grandparent Scheme’ are particularly heinous because they prey on a senior’s love for their family,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting our seniors from fraud, and my Office will continue to prioritize prosecuting criminals who prey on our elderly residents.”

“Trying to scam strangers out of money is criminal,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Specifically targeting elderly victims because you figure they're easy marks is cruel. The FBI will never stop working to shut down elder fraud schemes like this to protect older folks and help them hang on to their hard-earned money.”

“Crimes like these against our elderly citizens are taken very seriously by law enforcement. The Bethlehem Police Department, working with its Federal partners, will investigate, arrest and prosecute individuals involved in criminal scams like these ‘Grandparent Scams,” said Mark DiLuzio, Chief of Police, Bethlehem Police Department. “As Chief, I would like to personally thank U.S. Attorney McSwain and his Office, the FBI, U.S. Postal inspectors, the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office and Bethlehem Police Detectives who all worked collectively and brought this person and her partners to justice. On behalf of all elderly citizens in the City of Bethlehem, thank you!”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Service, the Bethlehem Police Department, and the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Deputy United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.

An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Department of Justice is committed to combating elder fraud. The Department’s historic 2018 and 2019 Elder Fraud Sweeps collectively brought criminal and civil actions against more than 500 defendants responsible for defrauding more than $1.5 billion from at least 3 million victims.

The Department of Justice also provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime (OVC), which has announced a new competitive solicitation addressing enhanced multidisciplinary teams for older victims of abuse and financial exploitation (up to $375,000 each) and funding for a National Multidisciplinary Team Technical Assistance Center (for up to $3 million), which will help facilitate the expansion of elder abuse case review across the nation. The deadline is July 7, 2019.

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Pottsville Woman Charged for Being Part of a "Grandparents Scheme; Defrauding Victims of At Least $158,800

Feds announce task force to stop scams targeting elderly

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said "one of the most pernicious causes" is foreign-based fraud schemes.  Photo Credit: AP/Mark Thiessen

By Ellen Yan
 
Federal prosecutors on Long Island will join other law enforcement agencies to combat the "scourge" of foreign-based scams that disproportionately affect the elderly, officials announced Thursday.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force will use analytical tools and "sophisticated investigative approaches" to dig out and prosecute those responsible for an alarming jump in victims of con games in telemarketing, foreign lotteries, mass mailing and other schemes. Six U.S. Attorney offices, including the Eastern District, which covers Long Island, will partner with the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. postal inspectors and foreign law enforcement agencies, officials said.

“One of the most significant and pernicious causes for this increase is foreign-based fraud schemes." Barr said in a news release. "The new Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force will bring together the expertise and resources of our prosecutors, federal and international law enforcement partners and other government agencies to better target, investigate, and prosecute criminals abroad who prey on our elderly at home."

Barr's announcement acknowledged Saturday as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Already, each U.S. Attorney's office has an "Elder Justice Coordinator."

“Schemes that target elderly and vulnerable victims are unconscionable,” Richard Donoghue, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, said in the news release.

This year on Long Island, local law enforcement officials have held news conferences to warn against scams, such as strangers demanding cash to bail out family members who were purportedly arrested.

More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at justice.gov. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-382-4357.

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Feds announce task force to stop scams targeting elderly

Tonight on Marti Oakley's T. S. Radio: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, #3

5:00 pm PST … 6:00 pm MST … 7:00 pm CST … 8:00 pm EST

Debbie Dahmer and I will host our third annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day show. The elderly are being abused, neglected and robbed all across the country. While there are multiple incidents of family and community members committing the abuse, by far the greatest threat to seniors today is the probate tribunal system where their lives are essentially brought to an end....but not before the predators help themselves to the estate.

Isolation, chemical restraint and abuse are common in these situations. While the government and MSM continually refuse to acknowledge who the real predators are, and, that these predators are interested in nothing more than availing themselves of the estate, our elderly languish and die while being isolated from family, friends and even religious associations. Chemical restraints are used to prevent the elderly from complaining or crying out.

This and more while our legislators both state and federal refuse to truthfully address the wholesale culling of the elderly at the hands of a corrupted probate system that operates outside of Constitutional restraints. The elderly, now viewed as a "waste population" are targeted for disposal. Families across the country are demanding a stop to this mercenary system of abuse, exploitation and theft that ends with the eventual misery laden death of an elderly person who committed no other crime than aging with assets.

To contact us: ppj1@hush.com

LISTEN to the show LIVE or listen to the archive later

New program launching to help victims of elderly abuse

In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Harris County Protective Services is launching a new program that is the first of its kind.

As the senior population grows, the frequency of abuse to the elderly is expected to grow with it, according to Harris County Protective Services. In order to help senior victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation in Harris County, HCPS is introducing The Senior Justice Assessment Center.

The Assessment Center is home to experts in geriatric medicine, protective services, civil and criminal prosecution and law enforcement working together to protect vulnerable senior citizens and to increase prosecution of elder abuse.

“Ultimately, we want Harris County to be a community where it’s safe to grow old,” HCPS said. The goal is to ensure the dignity of seniors by increasing awareness, education and prosecution of elder abuse."

The center is modeled after multi-disciplinary centers for children. The new center was made possible through a grant awarded by the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division.

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New program launching to help victims of elderly abuse

Who are the victims of elder abuse? The disabled, cognitively impaired and poor.

In recent years, the United Nations has increased the number of “international days” it observes. Many of these observances have gained global momentum and support, such International Women’s Day (March 8) and World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), which serve both educational and advocacy goals.

On June 15, the United Nations observes the less publicized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, focusing attention on the hidden tragedy of abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly people throughout the world. While this year’s theme focuses specifically on financial abuse, the sad reality is that the elderly face a broad array of exploitation that includes physical, medical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse. The perpetrators include caregivers, strangers and, most tragically, family and friends.  A recent study has shown that perpetrators are more likely to be the spouses and adult children of victims rather than strangers. This means the specific abuse is compounded by the violation of profound trust.

According to the Justice Department, 10 percent of seniors are abused each year, with only 1 out of every 23 cases reported. The most likely victims are women, people with cognitive impairments, people without relatives, those with disabilities and those who are ill-housed, poor, physically weak or socially isolated.

The National Center on Elder Abuse reports that the study of elder abuse “lags as much as two decades behind” parallel research about child abuse and domestic violence. Why? Elder abuse targets those who are vulnerable — and those who are most vulnerable are sometimes unwilling or often unable to seek help. Even those who are capable of seeking help have compelling reasons not to.

Love for a caregiver or embarrassment about the situation can make reporting difficult. Moreover, elders who do report abuse are more likely to be placed in nursing homes. While our society is getting more adept at identifying, preventing and addressing abuse for other demographic groups, the abused elderly remain at great risk because they are often voiceless.

Without further action, these problems may be exacerbated in the years to come. The Census Bureau reports that in 2012, the U.S. population age 65 or older was 40.3 million. With the aging baby boomers, this figure is expected to nearly double by 2050. The population age 85 and over is expected to grow from 5.0 million to 18 million in that same time.

This pattern is reflected worldwide. According to the United Nations, the growth of the elderly population will be most pronounced in economically developing nations, and elder abuse is described as “one of the least investigated types of violence.”  (Click to Continue)

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Who are the victims of elder abuse? The disabled, cognitively impaired and poor.

Court Authorized Exploitation under Guardianship-Senior Abuse

Source:
Court Authorized Exploitation under Guardianship-Senior Abuse

Elder abuse is a growing problem

 To the editor,

 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 turns public attention to elder abuse. Famous victims include multimillionaires “Top 40” DJ Casey Kasem, Peter Falk of “Columbo,” and New York socialite Brooke Astor, whose grandson, Philip Marshall, successfully stopped her financial exploitation and psychological abuse.

However, with 10,000 elders retiring daily and 50 million elders projected to be 65 and older by 2020, the number of vulnerable elders with lesser incomes and assets is soaring.

Too often, elders lose their civil rights, their homes, and lifelong savings through undue influence and coercion, intimidation, isolation and misrepresentation. There may be questionable dementia or incapacity diagnoses and misuse of health care proxies, powers of attorney, guardianships and conservatorships.

Elder abuse circumstances often are improperly dismissed as purely “family” matters. In reality, families may face systemic abuse in which elders, their families and their assets, properties and homes are targeted by multiple outside parties, sometimes for years, to benefit the abusers.

These abusers may include financial, legal or medical professionals and those in the courts, government agencies, law enforcement, protective services, the clergy, long-term care and real estate businesses. Fighting these networks of abusers through the legal system can be protracted and expensive. Once the elder’s assets are depleted, the elder’s “usefulness” has passed and the elder dies.

 Often isolated, the elder may have been needlessly medicated with antipsychotics, opioids or, sometimes, lethal doses of morphine. Abusers know the likelihood of being held accountable for their collective actions is slim.

Elder justice is slow. An October 2014 Massachusetts Legislative Special Commission report on elder protective services cites a severe lack of training in financial exploitation and the screening out of abuse complaints without investigation.

In March 2015, the Maine Attorney General’s “Task Force Report on Financial Exploitation of Elders” went further; besides adult protective services, the Maine report includes judges and their court system, law enforcement, and prosecutors among those who lack training. Little has changed in Maine, the state with the highest per capita elderly in the country, and in Massachusetts.

Financial exploitation of elders and their families and the premature turnover of elder assets has become a lucrative industry nationally with unscrupulous players cashing in on the lack of oversight, protections and consequences.

In 2015, Georgia passed RICO legislation making conspiracy and racketeering to exploit an elder a felony. I have been working on similar legislation with Massachusetts lawmakers. Please contact me at PO Box 2496, Woburn, MA 01888 with examples of elder financial exploitation and abuse. Thank you to those who already submitted their examples.

Kendra Cooper Esq.
Elder advocate

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Elder abuse is a growing problem

Awareness Day aims to end financial abuse of the elderly

Marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day next week, hundreds of awareness and information sessions will take place throughout the United States, and across the globe, observing the theme of “Understand and End Financial Abuse of Older People: A Human Rights Issue.”

“As we see the proportion of elderly increase in all societies, the strain on the usual forms of care becomes intense,” said Dr. Christiaan Morssink, executive director for the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia.

“In such scenarios, the opportunity to exploit the frailty of the elders among us increases.

Heartbreaking stories can be told from police and medical records in each country on this planet. It is with a bit of sorrow that I need to applaud the United Nations and the world community for declaring a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,” said Morssink.

In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

Statistics from the National Council on Aging show that 1 in 10 Americans 60 and older have experienced elder abuse, and there is broad consensus that the crime is significantly under-reported. One study estimated that only 1 in 14 cases of abuse are reported to authorities. Elder financial abuse and fraud costs older Americans $36.5 billion per year and financial exploitation is self-reported at rates higher than emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect.

“Banks are on the front line for detecting signs of financial abuse, such as changes in typical banking patterns, uncharacteristic attempts to wire large sums of money and sudden insufficient funds,” said Joseph Snyder, director of Older Adult Protective Service at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and a former president of the National Adult Protective Services Association.

Collaborating with law enforcement, social workers, banks and community agencies is essential to prevent senior financial exploitation, according to Snyder. Along with the Philadelphia Financial Exploitation Prevention Task Force, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging will sponsor “Safe banking & financial management tips for seniors,” a free forum for seniors and caregivers at West Philadelphia’s Ralston Center.

In the mid-west, the Minnesota Elder Justice Center will host its 11th annual Minnesota World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.

“It’s designed for professionals, but it’s absolutely open to the public,” said Elder Justice Center Outreach coordinator Katie Behrens. “Anyone with an interest in working to eliminate elder abuse” is welcomed to attend the conference, “Accelerating Towards Justice,” which focuses on professionals who work with older adults.

AARP Maryland and Baltimore County Restoring Elder Safety Today (BC-REST) will host a forum and document shredding event at Baltimore County’s Randallstown Community Center, one of many AARP and its network are hosting throughout the nation commemorating the Day.

“Here in Virginia, the Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services is charged with investigating reports of elder abuse, including acts of financial exploitation, and assisting seniors who may be victims of abuse and their families to obtain help,” said Elizabeth Boehmcke. a lawyer practicing estate planning.

“As practitioners within the elder law community, we also run across situations in which a family member expresses concern about how their loved one is being treated by a neighbor, caregiver or sometimes even other family members. Determining when it is appropriate to call APS to report suspected elder abuse in our clients can be a difficult dilemma,” said Boehmcke.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations. This year’s theme underscores the importance of preventing financial exploitation, in the context of elder abuse, to the enjoyment of older persons’ human rights.

Through the many events and activities acknowledging World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the public will have ample opportunities to improve its understanding of this form of elder abuse and discuss ways of ensuring the participation of older adults themselves in ending victimization.

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Awareness Day aims to end financial abuse of the elderly

Our view: Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Thursday, June 15. On that day, communities across the world will sponsor events to highlight the growing tragic issue of elder abuse. One such event is being planned in Jefferson County.

On June 12, from 2 to 3 p.m., the public is invited to attend the Jefferson County Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Interdisciplinary Team meeting at the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Jefferson County, 1541 Annex Road, Jefferson. Speakers will include Lauren Hamvas on the Elder Rights Project and Sue Konkel and Sue Torum on the Dementia Care Training for Crisis.

It is a shame we have to even talk about elder abuse, let alone have programs to bring attention to the situation.

Elder abuse can be prevented if everyone would treat older Americans with respect and care, according to Sharon Olson, ADRC division manager in Jefferson County.

Every day in the United States, 10,000 people turn 65 years of age. And that trend is going to continue for the next 20 years. Demographics are shifting and soon there will be more elderly people in the U.S. than ever before. At the same time that the population is growing, a startling number of elders face abusive conditions, Olson said. Every year an estimated 5 million or 1 in 10 older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. And that’s only part of the picture, she added. Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as 23.5 cases go unreported.

Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, financial and sexual. Elders who are abused are twice as likely to be hospitalized, four times as likely to go into a nursing home and three times as likely to die. Most abusers are family members, although trusted professionals and complete strangers may also target older adults, Olson said.

During June, a banner promoting the Awareness of Elder Abuse will be displayed in front of the Jefferson County Courthouse along with purple pinwheels that represent the number of cases the Jefferson County Adult Protective Services Unit responded to in 2016.

Learning the warning signs of abuse and knowing how to report is another step toward prevention. Adult Protective Services in Jefferson County can be reached at 920-674-3105 or any local police department can be contacted for assistance and information on elder abuse.

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Our view: Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Exposing, bringing awareness to elderly abuse

Cheryl Patnaude awarded

As Rhode Island’s population continues to age, there is a growing but “silent” epidemic for our elderly population, an issue St. Elizabeth Community and their Haven aims to bring awareness to.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and last Wednesday St. Elizabeth Community, as well as the Division of Elderly Affairs, recognized the official World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Despite its lack of attention, seniors are abused in numerous ways including physically, sexually, financially and through isolation, often occurring in a trusted relationship, with either a family member or caregiver.

For this reason, many abused elders fear reporting their abuse according to Jeanne Gattegno Program Director for Saint Elizabeth’s Haven, which provides a safe space for elders fleeing abusive situations and connects them with various resources for a smooth and safe transition back into the community.

Elders are abused all over the world. Gattegno said that, statistically, for every elder that reports their abuse, there are five that don’t. According to the National Center of Elder Abuse, 10 percent of elderly experience abuse.

“They are afraid to come forward for fear of losing their home, their independence in the community, or they are dependent on their abuser. It is very difficult for these people to come forward,” Gattegno said.

She also believes that as a society we “accept” certain behaviors towards the elderly, in particular verbal abuse.

Roberta Merkle, executive vice president of strategic initiatives for St. Elizabeth Community, said a lack of respect is an issue many seniors identify with. She said people don’t always value seniors and realize they still have a lot to contribute to society.

For these reasons, seniors are often targeted, especially for financial exploitation, one of the fastest growing types of abuse in the country, according to Gattegno. Between financial scams and family members or caregivers living off the assets of the elderly, Gattegno said their needs to be more awareness and the community needs to be able to recognize signs of abuse to report it.

Merkle said 99 percent of professional caregivers are “trustworthy and honorable,” but there are still those that take advantage of their client’s dependency, purchasing cars or taking over their homes.

“These are people that have built a trusted relationship and may be the only people these elders see day in and day out,” Merkle said, “It’s so insidious. This isn’t on a lot of people’s radar to look out for either.”

For Rhode Island, as baby boomers continue to age, the fear is that the prevalence of abuse will continue to grow. Currently, individuals over the age of 65 make up 14 percent of the state’s population and that is expected to increase to 23 percent by 2030. Rhode Island has the ninth highest percentage of seniors over 65 in the country and is actually number one for percentage of persons 85 and older in the country according to Merkle.

St. Elizabeth’s Haven is one of only 10 similar programs nationwide, and there are only about 15 elder specific shelters across the country, even though elder abuse is a growing problem.

“We need to bring this issue to the forefront, increase the coordination between the state, case management agencies, and the community to better assist these elders in times of trouble,” Merkle said. “We need to raise awareness so more people can recognize the signs and report abuse.”

Over the next year, St. Elizabeth and the Division of Elderly Affairs are spearheading an initiative to establish a coalition that can tackle the issue of “elder justice” and to put into action an educational plan for caregivers, family, hospital staff and even bankers to be able to recognize the signs of abuse and how to report it.

Bankers will need to pay closer attention to elderly accounts to see exactly how money is being used and who seems to be in control, whether certain purchases make sense, and for neighbors to recognize “ranting and raving” by a caregiver. All reports are to be made to the Division of Elderly Affairs.

Gattegno explained that alongside the very obvious human toll, elder abuse takes, it also exacts an economic toll. Abused elders are sicker and have to visit the hospital more and elders who are robbed costs “the system” too.

“We know there are voids in the system, gaps in care, but we are working on identifying and resolving them. We are making stronger links between services and agencies so we can intervene in and reduce elder abuse. We want to come together to improve the quality of life for our seniors,” Gattegno said.

At the ceremony for Elder Abuse Awareness Day, held at the State House, St. Elizabeth Community presented the Elder Justice Hero award to Cheryl Patnaude, who exemplified the connectedness St. Elizabeth is striving for. In her work with a community case management agency Patnaude recognized the signs of abuse and went “above and beyond” to see said abused individual removed from the situation into a safe space in the Haven bringing together law enforcement, legal teams and various community resources.

Gattegno said, “We want to ensure that level of coordination and team approach in the future across the board. We want to bring people together, who have the resources, brain power and experience to see this through.”  (Continue Reading)

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Exposing, bringing awareness to elderly abuse