U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Kirsten Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Elderly from Financial Fraud

July 30, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, today introduced the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act, legislation aimed at protecting the elderly from scammers and financial fraud. Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is also a cosponsor.

The GUARD Act would allow state and local law enforcement to use federal grant funds that they already receive for purposes of hiring agents, training police staff and increasing resources specifically to utilize the blockchain for investigating financial fraud. It would also permit federal law enforcement to assist state and local law enforcement with tracing tools for blockchain technology.

“For too long, scammers have preyed upon the elderly, one of our nation’s most vulnerable populations, and stolen life-changing amounts of money from Americans who often live on fixed incomes. To make matters worse, these scammers exploit gaps in state and local law enforcement capabilities that often allow them to escape prosecution,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to lead the GUARD Act with Senator Gillibrand to give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to bring these faceless cowards to justice and take meaningful steps to combat financial fraud at large.”

“Every day, scammers target our seniors, often robbing them of their hard-earned savings and stealing their personal information,” said Senator Gillibrand. “As the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact these scams have on older Americans and their families. Far too often, local law enforcement agencies lack the resources they need to track down these criminals and hold them accountable. Our GUARD Act would enhance law enforcement capabilities and foster much-needed cooperation between federal and local agencies to combat fraud and bring scammers to justice. I look forward to working with Senator Britt to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

Bad actors are leveraging technology, including the blockchain, to scam individuals – particularly the elderly – through “pig butchering” financial fraud schemes. These scammers often know the thresholds that trigger a federal intervention, so they will keep stolen dollar amounts below this threshold, knowing state law enforcement agencies are often not equipped with the same expertise and resources to use blockchain technologies for tracing purposes.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I am thrilled to join Senators Gillibrand and Britt to introduce the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act. This bill helps ensure that local and state law enforcement can access critical tools like blockchain tracing technology that is already used by the Department of Justice to freeze hundreds of millions in stolen funds, and receive federal assistance to investigate these crimes more effectively in an effort to stop scams targeting our aging community as we’ve witnessed growing financial threats against aging Americans. As chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, I am fully committed to standing up for our aging population, who have contributed so much to our country. The committee recently released our annual Fraud Report which details the alarming rise in scams, particularly sophisticated schemes that utilize artificial intelligence (AI). In 2024 alone, frauds and scams cost seniors over $4.8 billion, with those aged 50-59 losing an additional $2.5 billion. Additionally, we have pushed vital initiatives like our National Slam the Scam Day resolution and our toll-free Fraud Hotline, in an effort to expand access to education, prevention tools, and direct support to better empower families to recognize fraud and respond quickly with the necessary steps. Together, with the GUARD Act, we can work to ensure that every older American has the opportunity to enjoy their golden years with dignity, safety, and the financial security they deserve.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in 2023, Americans aged 60 and over reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud, with unreported losses potentially as high as $61.5 billion. In 2024, losses increased 21% to over $2.3 billion for these individuals, and the FTC reports over $745 million in losses in just the first three months of 2025, nearly $200 million more than at the same point last year.

The Senators’ legislation is endorsed by AARP. The bill is a Senate companion to H.R.2978, which was introduced by Reps. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) earlier this year. You can view the full bill text here.

Senator Britt has previously raised awareness on the surge of financial scams, particularly those targeted at elderly citizens, saying in a 2024 Banking committee hearing: “It’s clear we must be doing more. We must be more diligent. We must do better in educating our population, particularly the elderly population, with regards to everything from romance schemes to sweepstakes scams to impersonations, which ultimately let Alabamians become victims . . . I want to make sure we are enabling law enforcement. I want to make sure we are doing everything we possibly can.” 

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U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Kirsten Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Elderly from Financial Fraud

Rick Scott Leads Senate Aging Committee In Hearing On Methods To Combat Elder Abuse

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) led the Senate Special Committee on Aging in a hearing on methods to combat elder abuse on Wednesday. 

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Rick Scott Leads Senate Aging Committee In Hearing On Methods To Combat Elder Abuse 

AG: Upstate caregiver charged with beating resident at senior living facility

According to the attorney general, Pearl at Five Forks Memory Care Center reported this incident to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.  

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AG: Upstate caregiver charged with beating resident at senior living facility 

Attorney General Alan Wilson announces caregiver charged with beating vulnerable adult

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Robin C. Hatley, 61 years old, of Laurens, S.C., for Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult {43-35-0085 (D)}. Hatley was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on July 18, 2025.

A joint investigation by VAMPF and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office alleges that on June 14, 2025, Hatley, a caregiver at Pearl at Five Forks Memory Care Center in Simpsonville, S.C., struck a vulnerable adult resident multiple times on the head, face, and nose. The victim, classified as a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law, was a resident of the facility at the time of the alleged incident.

Pearl at Five Forks Memory Care Center reported this incident to law enforcement and cooperated fully with investigators. This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult is a felony and, upon conviction, has a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. 

Pursuant to federal regulations, VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting; and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. 

Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, dba VAMPF, receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,889,252 for federal fiscal year 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $963,084 for FFY 2025, is funded by South Carolina. 

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Attorney General Alan Wilson announces caregiver charged with beating vulnerable adult 

Police: Fake nurse worked at several Pennsylvania healthcare facilities

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Police: Fake nurse worked at several Pennsylvania healthcare facilities 

Woman accused of taking $100,000 from her own mother

Tammy Burfield is charged with aggravated exploitation of an elderly person.

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Woman accused of taking $100,000 from her own mother 

Woman sentenced to 20 years for exploiting, stealing $260K from College Station elderly

By: Taylor Helmes 

BRYAN, Texas (KRHD) — On Monday, a judge sentenced a woman to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for her role in a scheme that defrauded a 64-year-old College Station woman of $260,000, nearly all her life savings.

Crystal Allen pled guilty to theft of property $150,000-$300,000, theft from the elderly $2,500-$30,000, and possession of a controlled substance.

The investigation started in September 2021 after the victim was in the hospital for an injury. The Brazos County District Attorney Office said in a press release that a family member caring for the elderly woman noticed large amounts of money missing from her accounts and contacted the College Station Police Department.

Detectives found that over the course of a year, Allen emptied the victim's finances.

Allen first met the victim in October 2020 and started offering to help her with errands, cleaning, and deliveries.

"As she gained the victim's trust, Allen secretly obtained access to her personal and financial information. She fraudulently opened bank accounts, paid her own bills using the victim's money, and transferred funds to herself using digital payment platforms such as PayPal and Square," the press release said.

At the beginning of Allen and the victim's relationship, the victim had over $260,000 across three bank accounts. When the theft was discovered, the three bank accounts had a combined balance of less than $4,000.

At the time of the exploitation and theft, Allen had a prior conviction for burglary of a habitation which she previously served a prison sentenced for. While these charges were pending, Allen was also arrested in Burleson County for theft by check charges, showing a continued pattern of dishonest and criminal behavior.

As part of the judge's sentence, Allen is to pay the $260,000 in restitution to compensate the victim for her losses.

The Brazos County District Attorney's Office says that there could potentially be more victims of Allen, since she continued to advertise that she was an elderly assistant even after this arrest. The District Attorney's Office asks that if people believe they are a victim to come forward and to contact the College Station Police Department.

"This case highlights how financial predators can insert themselves into the lives of vulnerable individuals under the guise of helping. This defendant didn't just steal money - she stole security, peace of mind, and years of trust. We are grateful to the College Station Police Department for their thorough and diligent investigation."

- Rachel Porter and Kevin Capps, Assistant District Attorneys

This case was investigated by Detective Stephen Schoellman with the College Station Police Department. Assistant District Attorneys Rachel Porter and Kevin Capps prosecuted the case of behalf of the State of Texas with the help of Investigator Tiffany Graves and Victim Assistance Coordinator Shae Cooks. 

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Woman sentenced to 20 years for exploiting, stealing $260K from College Station elderly

Assisted-living facility where fire killed 10 temporarily lost certification for mistreatment

by The Associated Press

A Massachusetts assisted-living facility where a fire killed 10 people earlier this month temporarily lost its certification nearly a decade ago due to resident mistreatment, according to state regulators.

The documents obtained by The Associated Press show the staff failed to treat residents with “consideration, respect, personal dignity and privacy.” Other specific details of what prompted the monthlong suspension were redacted in documents the state Executive Office of Aging & Independence provided Tuesday. The facility in Fall River was barred from accepting new residents until it took corrective action.

The report adds to a list of issues raised with the Gabriel House facility over the years. A resident filed a lawsuit recently alleging the facility was not properly managed, staffed or maintained and that “emergency response procedures were not put in place.” The son of another resident said an elevator had been out for as long as nine months at one point.

The state’s deadliest blaze in more than four decades has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents. Gov. Maura Healey declined last week to weigh in on the efficacy of state and local inspections. Instead, Healey has touted that a state commission is currently working on recommendations to improve assisted-living facilities.

State records released Tuesday include about two dozen complaints about the facility during the last decade, including several related to “abuse, neglect or financial exploitation” but details are redacted. Other complaints involved a resident getting stuck for hours in an elevator that was then out of service for months, and staff members who threatened residents and withheld medication.

There also were complaints about a nurse withholding medication, “environmental safety” and a cook: “The cook is obsessive, controlling and abusive.”

The most detailed complaint is from 2015 and appears to have been written or dictated by a resident. It lists more than a dozen issues, including bed bugs, roaches over-medicated residents and fist fights in common areas.

“It is a place where you can’t feel safe due to other patients and corrupt staff,” the complaint states. “The staff treat the people there very cruel and show no respect for them or their needs.”

Dennis Etzkorn, the owner of Gabriel House, has said he will not speak to journalists and is focused on helping families of the victims and cooperating with the investigation into the fire.

Most recently, documents show that state officials were alarmed about the ongoing elevator issues as of spring 2025. A field supervisor with Massachusetts’s long-term care ombudsman made a plea in February to the state to investigate Gabriel House’s faulty elevator, saying that every time he made a call about the problem he was met with “excuses.”

“Please call this place and see if this is true … if so we need a remedy /plan asap,” an unnamed official wrote to the office’s assisted living certification specialist.

Etzkorn later wrote to the office detailing the timeline of the elevator problems that said work would begin in March after it was first alerted in September 2024.

Before the July 13 fire, the most recent compliance review found numerous repeat violations, many related to record keeping. After the facility submitted a corrective plan, the state renewed its certification in December 2023.

Investigators said last week that the fire started unintentionally by either someone smoking or an electrical issue with an oxygen machine. The blaze left some residents of the three-story building hanging out of windows and screaming for help. 

Full Article & Source:
Assisted-living facility where fire killed 10 temporarily lost certification for mistreatment

See Also:
9 dead in Fall River assisted living home fire. "Unfathomable tragedy," chief says. 

Missouri Attorney General sues contractor for allegedly scamming the elderly

by: Drew Tasset

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a felony complaint against Harlin Dilday Jr. in Morgan County Court for targeting the elderly with his businesses.

Dilday Jr. is charged with financial exploitation of the elderly and deceptive business practices in connection with his business. He owns two home repair businesses in Missouri: D&D Outdoors and Dilday & Sons.

“My office will not tolerate the exploitation of Missouri’s most vulnerable residents,” said Attorney General Bailey in a statement. “We are committed to holding bad actors accountable and protecting Missouri consumers from fraud and abuse.”

According to Bailey, D&D Outdoors allegedly provided unrequested home repair services in febuary 2025. In Versailles, the company offered a homeowner $1,000 for asphalt repair and tree trimming services. After the homeowner accepted, the company then turned around and demanded $15,000 from them.

“We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who target elderly Missourians through deception and intimidation,” said Attorney General Bailey.

The charges in this case are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

To contact the Missouri Attorney General’s Office about potential scams, call the Consumer Protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or submit an online complaint at ago.mo.gov.

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Missouri Attorney General sues contractor for allegedly scamming the elderly