U.S. Attorney's Office Launches Campaign in Conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia launched a public messaging campaign today in conjunction with the observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), announced Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston.

A video entitled “Financial Scams -- Deceit and Devastation” is accessible through the office website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv. Additional messages will soon be broadcast on radio and television stations throughout the district. 

The outreach campaign is designed as part of the District’s Elder Justice Initiative (EJI) to highlight various types of schemes that individuals are using to target older Americans and warns the elderly and their family members to be on guard.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to both preventing and prosecuting fraud on our seniors through outreach and enforcement. Raising public awareness is an important step in preventing potential victims from engaging and falling victim to fraudsters.

For more information about the Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative (EJI), please go to https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps.  Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis.  Reporting is the first step.  Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses.  The hotline is staffed 10am-6pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.   

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. 

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