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    Elder Abuse Prevention: Avoiding and Reporting Financial Scams

    Financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, and attorneys are particularly well positioned to educate older adult clients on how to identify and avoid scams.

    The Elder Abuse Prevention Committee has crafted a brochure, poster and flyer to inform clients about common scams targeting older adults and how to prevent and report them effectively. Intended for display and distribution at attorney's offices, these materials can serve as a tool for initiating conversation between attorneys and their clients around issues of financial security and asset protection, as well as facilitating disclosure of past or present victimization.

    Brochure | Flyer | Poster

    Reporting Scams

    Financial Fraud

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    • Internet Crime Complaint Center
    • Email: https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
    • The IC3 accepts online Internet Crime Complaints from either the actual victim or from a third party to the Complainant. This website processes complaints and may refer them to federal, state, local or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for possible investigation.

    The United States Dept. of Justice

    • Email: https://www.justice.gov/fraudtaskforce
    • This Task Force work extends to bank fraud, mortgage fraud, and other loan fraud and discrimination; securities and commodities fraud; retirement plan fraud; mail and wire fraud; tax crimes; money laundering; False Claims Act violations; and unfair competition. 

    Federal Trade Commission

    • Website: https://www.ftc.gov/
    • Online Form: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
    • The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. The Commission also enforces federal antitrust laws that prohibit anticompetitive mergers and other business practices that could lead to higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation.

    Bankruptcy Fraud

    Department of Justice, U.S. Trustee Program

    Commodities, Investment and Securities Fraud

    U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Center for Complaints and Enforcement Tips

    • Email: https://www.sec.gov/tcr
    • Phone: (800) 732-0330
    • You can file a complaint or provide the SEC with tips on potential securities law violations though the links on their page.

    U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    • Online Form: www.cftc.gov/complaint
    • Phone: (866) 366-2382 (Consumer Hotline) (202) 418-5514 (TTY)
    • If you have questions, are aware of suspicious activities, or believe you have experienced commodity futures trading, commodity options trading or foreign currency trading (forex) fraud, please let the CFTC know immediately.

    Mass Marketing/Telemarketing Fraud

    Federal Trade Commission

    • Website: https://www.ftc.gov/
    • Phone: 1 (877) FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
    • Online Form: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
    • If you have a complaint about any type of consumer fraud, including any type of mass-marketing fraud, you can file a complaint through a toll-free Consumer Help Line, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or online with the Federal Trade Commission.

    Mortgage Fraud or Loan Scams

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Identity Theft

    Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

    • Email: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central
    • The IRS has joined with representatives of the software industry, tax preparation firms, payroll and tax financial product processors and state tax administrators to combat identity theft refund fraud to protect the nation's taxpayers.

    Social Security Fraud

    US Social Security Administration (SSA) Fraud Hotline

    • Phone: (800) 269-0271 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
    • Online Form: https://oig.ssa.gov/report-fraud-waste-or-abuse/fraud-waste-and-abuse
    • The SSA National Fraud Hotline provides an avenue for individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse within SSA programs and operations. Additionally, the misuse of a Social Security number can also be reported.

    Tax Fraud

    Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

    For noncompliance with tax laws:

    For abusive tax promotions and/or promoters: