Elder Fraud and Financial Exploitation

Resources | Websites | For Professionals

Elder fraud is an act targeting older adults in which attempts are made to deceive with promises of goods, services, or financial benefits that do not exist, were never intended to be provided, or were misrepresented. Financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of an older adult's funds or property.

In addition to the resources listed below, please visit the Department of Justice's Elder Justice website, which contains information for victims, their families, practitioners, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and researchers.

Protecting Elders from Financial Exploitation

From the Office for Victims of Crime, this video is a government sponsored PSA on financial exploitation.

Resources

22 Tips for Avoiding Scams & Swindles

National Council on Aging (NCOA)

This webpage provides 22 tips that can help you steer clear of scams and swindles and stay safe.

AAAs/Title VI Agencies

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A)

Find AAAs/Title VI agencies in your state.

Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation

This brochure is produced by the Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation (EIFFE) prevention program, sponsored by Investor Protection Trust, a nonprofit investment and education organization.

Eldercare Locator or call 1-800-677-1116 weekdays

Administration on Aging

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families.

Financial Self-Defense Guide for Seniors

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

This guide describes the most common real-life situations in which older Americans are vulnerable to financial abuse by a financial advisor, and provides advice for seniors and their families for guarding against such abuse, including ways to report it to proper authorities.

Managing Someone Else’s Money Guides

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released four guides to help individuals who are managing someone else’s money.  Guides are available for powers of attorney, court-appointed guardians, trustees, and government fiduciaries (e.g., representative payees).

Money Smart for Older Adults: Prevent Elder Financial Exploitation

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Curriculum with resource guide to raise awareness among older adults and on how to prevent elder financial exploitation.

• Money Smart for Older Adults Participant/Resource Guide
• Money Smart for Older Adults Training Curriculum
  

National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) State Resources

National Center on Elder Abuse (Administration on Aging)

State reporting numbers, government agencies, state laws, state-specific data and statistics, and other resources. Click on the state or territory to see directory listing.

Protect Your Pocketbook: Tips to Avoid Financial Exploitation

US Administration on Aging

Protect Your Pocketbook is a government-funded document with financial exploitation protection tips.

Protecting Your Income: Tips for Elders

Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER)

Find information on fraudulent scams and con games.

Protecting Your Mother from Financial Fraud and Abuse

Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement

Protecting Your Mother from Financial Fraud and Abuse provides tips and information for family members to prevent and identify financial exploitation.

Senior Citizens' Resources

USA.gov

Find government resources for seniors on money, housing, health, consumer protection, and more.

Top 8 Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams

National Council on Aging (NCOA)

Tips from NCOA on how to protect yourself or an older adult you know from scams.

Top 10 Scams Targeting Seniors

National Coalition on Aging (NCOA)

NCOA, a nonprofit service and advocacy organization for older adults, publicizes the top 10 scams targeting seniors.

Use Your Home to Stay at Home: The Official Reverse Mortgage Consumer Booklet Approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

National Council on Aging and Housing and Urban Development

A Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reverse mortgage guide for seniors and disseminated by the National Council on Aging.

Websites

Do Not Call Registry

Federal Trade Commission

Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry, maintained by the Federal Trade Commission, to prevent telemarketers from calling (verification does require an email address).

Free Credit Reports

Federal Trade Commission

Get your free annual credit report to keep track of your credit score and check for suspicious activity.

National Center on Elder Abuse

US Administration on Aging

The National Center on Elder Abuse website is funded by the Administration on Aging and contains information and resources on elder abuse generally, and financial exploitation specifically.

For Professionals

Home Equity Conversion (Reverse) Mortgages Exploited to Defraud Senior Citizens

Federal Bureau of Investigation

This FBI-produced website describes several reverse mortgage scams targeted at senior citizens.

Protecting the Elderly and Vulnerable from Financial Fraud and Exploitation

BITS Financial Services Roundtable (April 2010)

BITS Financial Services Roundtable created this document for vulnerable seniors to prevent financial fraud.

The Problem of Financial Crimes against the Elderly

Center for Problem-Oriented Policing

The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, funded by the COPS Office (US Department of Justice), describes what is known about financial exploitation.

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