Abstract
In the United States, seniors face unprecedented risks of financial abuse (i.e., financial exploitation, fraud, and scams). In recognition of these risks and the consequences of victimization, federal, state, and local community service agencies are working together to prevent, detect, and respond to these inexcusable acts. The primary response system consists of Adult Protective Services (APS) agencies and their partnerships with other community agencies and organizations that serve seniors. The resources provided by these agencies and organizations promote short- and long-term protection for seniors against financial abuse as well opportunities for recovery and resilience for those affected. To promote public awareness, this chapter highlights APS and other common community resources that victims and others can turn to for financial abuse prevention, detection, and response support. Recommendations for increasing accessibility and utilization of these agency and community service resources around the United States are provided.
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Appendices
Appendix A: Federal Agencies
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a government agency that combines multiple services to focus on providing protection to consumers, including seniors by enforcing mandatory reporting, accountability, and federal financial laws on banks, lenders, and other financial companies to ensure fair treatment of seniors. CFPB provides resources to caregivers, service providers, and consumers to prevent fraud and financial abuse. CFPB takes legal action against unlawful practices of companies and aims to protect consumers from delivery of poor quality and services by unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices.
1-855-411-2372 (TTY/TTD: 1-855-729-2372)
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the nation’s consumer protection agency that takes legal action to ensure privacy of financial and online security by providing resources for online security, identity theft, and targeting marketers to stop unsolicited email and mail, as well as phone calls (National Do Not Call Registry is a free resource to stop unsolicited telemarketing calls).
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Privacy, Identity, and Online Security
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/privacy-identity-online-security
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National Do Not Call Registry
1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236)
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Unwanted Email and Mail
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0262-stopping-unsolicited-mail-phone-calls-and-email
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Victim Services Division (VSD) works in conjunction with a FBI victim specialist, FBI agent, and an employee from the US Attorney’s Office to ensure investigation of financial exploitation and crime. The VSD aims to assist with victim empowerment and justice by contending with the aftermath of the financial offence.
https://www.fbi.gov/resources/victim-services
1-202-324-3000
Elder Justice Initiative (EJI)
The US Department of Justice promotes federal, state, and local resources to enhance response, investigation, and prosecutions of financial entities targeting older adults. EJI coordinates investigations and prosecutions of financial fraud to maximize recovery and obtain proper retribution for the perpetrator for older adults.
https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation
1-855-484-2846
US Postal Inspection Service
Postal inspectors are federal law enforcement officers that work with the US Attorney’s Office and local prosecutors to educate consumers, as well as safeguard mail by forensic investigation and conviction of criminal cases. Since 1775, this federal law enforcement agency upholds security and safety to prevent and fight against criminal endangerment, mail and identity theft, and mail and financial fraud within the US Postal System.
1-877-876-4455
Social Security Administration (SSA)
The Social Security Administration provides financial support and protection of personal information and financial contributions to detect and identify fraudulent behavior. https://www.ssa.gov/antifraudfacts
The Social Security Administration also assists with people that need help managing their finances via the Social Security’s Representative Payment Program. This program designates a Representative Payee to an individual beneficiary who is incapable of managing or appointing the management of their Social Security and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Representative Payee appointed by the Social Security Administration must furnish the SSA with documentation of all payments and expenses exchanged.
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
SSA works with the lead agency for fraud detection and prevention and the Office of the Inspector General to collect stolen money and prosecute the criminals. The OIG also combines resources of the federal, state, and local law enforcement to prevent and combat Medicare Fraud.
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Medicare. Reporting Medicare Fraud.
https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/help-fight-medicare-fraud/how-report-medicare-fraud
1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Fiduciary Program
The VA’s Fiduciary Program protects veterans and other beneficiaries that are incapable of managing their finances by appointing a fiduciary. The beneficiary can choose a beneficiary, either family or friend, which undergoes criminal investigation, credit report, interview, and references. If no one is available, the VA will assign a fiduciary.
1-888-407-0144
Appendix B: Legal Services
National Eldercare Locator
The Eldercare Locator is a national referral and information resource of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the US Administration for Community Living and National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). The Eldercare Locator connects state-, local-, and community-based agencies with older adults and their caregivers.
1-800-677-1116
Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
The Legal Services Corporation is a nonprofit, grant-making governmental organization that provides older adults with high-quality civil legal assistance involving unlawful financial lenders, bankruptcy, and management of debt.
https://www.lsc.gov/what-legal-aid/find-legal-aid
1-202-295-1500
Fee-for-Service Lawyers .
The American Bar Association’s Legal Services Division provides a public service that provides resources to older adults and assists low-income, active military service members, military families, veterans, and unbiased referrals to affordable lawyers.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_services/flh-home
1-800-285-2221
Appendix C: Accounting Services
American Institute of Certified Professional Accountants (AICPAs)
The American Institute of CPAs is the largest association representing the CPA profession that provides tax planning and financial education, as well as supports advancement of the financial reporting system, and identifies and prohibits financial fraud.
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Find a Certified Public Accountant
https://www.aicpa.org/forthepublic/findacpa.html
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Elder Planning and Life Transitions after Retirement
https://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/personalfinancialplanning/resources/elderplanningservices.html
1-888-777-7077
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Burnett, J., Nauls, S., Albee, L., Flores, R.J. (2021). Addressing Senior Financial Abuse: Adult Protective Services and Other Community Resources. In: Factora, R.M. (eds) Aging and Money. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67565-3_11
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