Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost addressed the annual Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, emphasizing the importance of protecting older residents from abuse and exploitation. The event, held at the Sharonville Convention Center, was attended by 160 advocates and professionals dedicated to elder protection.
“You answer the call to weed through fact and fiction to save the vulnerable,” Yost told attendees. “You are heroes to these people, and to me.”
The conference theme, "Dollars and Sense: Financial Exploitation of Older Adults," was presented by the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Commission in collaboration with the Ohio Coalition of Adult Protective Services.
“Our elders are treasures,” Yost said. “They provide us with history, fill in our blanks, and impart wisdom from lives long-lived. But these folks too often become victims, losing their sense of security, their dignity, and often even their homes. Thankfully, that’s where you all come in.”
Yost recounted a case involving a 73-year-old military veteran who sought help from his office's Elder Justice Unit after being exploited by a relative. With intervention from ProSeniors and local law enforcement, charges were brought against the relative.
Studies indicate that older adults are particularly vulnerable to scams due to technological challenges and reluctance to report crimes. FBI data reveals that individuals aged 60 and above lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 alone.
“What is alarming is that only one in 44 cases of financial crimes against older adults gets reported,” Yost added.
The Attorney General stressed the importance of awareness and reporting in combating financial exploitation.
“Awareness is key to solving the problem,” he said. “There should be no shame in being ripped off; it happens. But failure to report gives the bad guys a better chance of getting away with it.”
In response to increasing cybercrime issues, Yost established a Cyber Crimes Unit within the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) earlier this year. This team has already achieved significant results, including recovering $17,619 for a woman defrauded by a Bitcoin scam.
“The takeaway message is simple. Report the crime – there are people who can help,” Yost concluded.
For assistance or more information about elder justice issues or supporting victims of abuse or financial exploitation, contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
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