The Justice Department has released its sixth Annual Report to Congress, detailing efforts to combat elder fraud and abuse. Covering the period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, the report outlines various initiatives undertaken by the department.
The department collaborated with local, state, Tribal, and federal partners to pursue over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants. These individuals were charged with stealing nearly $700 million from over 225,000 older victims. The enforcement actions targeted fraud schemes such as romance scams, lottery scams, and government impersonation scams. Additionally, nursing home operators were held accountable for providing substandard care, and financial advisors, caregivers, or relatives who exploited their relationships with older adults for financial gain were pursued.
Efforts to support victims of elder fraud and abuse continued. Millions of dollars were returned to victims of elder fraud schemes. Financial institutions worked with the department to freeze over $27 million on behalf of older victims before funds could be transferred to fraudsters. The department also supported state and local organizations like elder abuse multidisciplinary teams and Elder Justice Coalitions in serving older adults. Over 4,600 victim assistance organizations received support to provide services to more than 200,000 older victims. The National Elder Fraud Hotline received over 50,000 calls last year.
To raise public awareness about elder fraud schemes, the department conducted nearly 1,000 events and trainings across the country. An example is the first Elder Justice Law Enforcement Summit which gathered representatives from state and local law enforcement organizations nationwide to share best practices in combating elder abuse and financial exploitation. A coordinated public awareness campaign was also launched in collaboration with other federal agencies.
For those needing assistance or wanting to report elder financial fraud, the National Elder Fraud Hotline can be reached at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). More information on the department's activities is available at www.elderjustice.gov.