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 Initiative website, which contains information for victims, their families, practitioners, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors and researchers.
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.
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.
Protecting Your Income: Tips for Elders
Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER)
Find information on fraudulent scams and con games.
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.
Fraud Fighter Call Center
1-800-646-2283
This program accepts reports of telemarking fraud and uses peer counselors to help callers figure out how to distinguish legitimate businesses and charities from bogus ones.
FTC Complaint Assistant
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, identity theft, and episodes of violence in the media.
Legal Aid Attorney Locator (by state)
Legal Services Corporation
The Legal Services Corporation provides an online legal aid locator to assist low-income individuals, including elderly victims of financial fraud.
National Foundation for Credit Counseling Services or 1-800-388-2227.
Para ayuda en EspañolIlama al 1-800-682-9832
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
NFCC Member Agency Network includes more than 700 community-based offices located in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. NFCC Member Agencies provide financial counseling and education to millions of consumers each year in person, over the phone, or online.
Senior Legal Hotlines
Center for Elder Rights Advocacy
Hotline provides legal assistance or referral on certain issues for some older adults.
Submit a Complaint
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
File a complaint about financial fraud on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Older Americans webpage.
Taking Action: An Advocate’s Guide to Assisting Victims of Financial Fraud
FINRA Investor Education Foundation, SaveAndInvest.org and National Center for Victims of Crime
This guide is designed to assist victim advocates by providing information on financial fraud generally, as well as action steps that can be taken after an individual has been the victim of fraud.
The National Telemarketing Victims Call Center
1-855-322-9218
This program accepts reports of telemarketing fraud and uses peer support to provide follow up in an attempt to prevent subsequent instances of financial fraud.
US Department of Justice Approved Credit Counseling Agencies
US Department of Justice
List of approved credit counseling agencies on U.S. Department of Justice website.
US Department of Justice Victim Services Locator
Office for Victims of Crime
The Office for Victims of Crime provides an online directory for locating services for victims of elder abuse, including financial exploitation.
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.