The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
If an older adult’s money or property may have been taken or misused, act promptly: contact the financial institution involved, report suspected exploitation to local Adult Protective Services (APS), and call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger. Use the reporting route that fits the situation; reporting can help, but it does not guarantee repayment. This guide covers U.S. options. Legal remedies and account protections vary by state.
What to do first
- Address immediate danger. Call 911 if the older adult or someone else faces an urgent risk of harm. If there is no immediate danger but you suspect a crime, contact local police or the sheriff’s office using its non-emergency number or reporting site.
- Contact the financial provider quickly. Work with the older adult, if possible, to call the bank, credit union, card issuer, or other provider connected to the money. Use a phone number or website you already trust, such as one on a statement or payment card. Ask how to secure the account, dispute or stop a transaction, and document the case. The provider may be able to help recover money depending on the circumstances, but repayment is not assured.
- Make reports without waiting to assemble a complete case. Tell the appropriate agencies what you know so far. You do not need to conduct a full investigation or have every document before reporting.
Where to report financial abuse or fraud
Different agencies handle different parts of a suspected exploitation case. You may need to contact more than one; one report does not necessarily notify the others.
| Contact | Use it for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Protective Services (APS) | Suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an older adult or an adult with a disability who needs assistance. | Contact the local APS program. Its name and structure differ by location; there is no single national APS office for these reports. |
| Local police or sheriff | Suspected crime, such as theft, fraud, forgery, or embezzlement. | Use 911 for urgent danger; otherwise use the local non-emergency contact or reporting process. |
| Federal Trade Commission (FTC), ReportFraud.ftc.gov | Scams and fraud generally. | Use the FTC’s ReportFraud service to report the scam. It is a reporting route, not a guarantee of individual reimbursement. |
| FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), ic3.gov | Crime involving the internet, including online scams. | It can be another reporting route for internet-enabled crime. Also contact the financial provider if an account or transaction is involved. |
| State attorney general | Consumer fraud or other suspected unlawful conduct within the state. | Contact the office for the state where the older adult lives or where the conduct occurred, as applicable. |
| U.S. Department of Justice National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-372-8311 | Help reporting elder fraud to appropriate government agencies. | The December 2024 interagency statement identifies this hotline as a possible source of reporting assistance. |
| U.S. Postal Inspection Service | A suspected scam involving U.S. mail. | The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) identifies postal inspectors as an option for mail scams. |
| Social Security Administration (SSA): local Social Security office or 800-772-1213 | Suspected misuse by a Social Security representative payee. | The CFPB directs people to the local office or SSA for this type of concern. |
| Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) | Suspected misuse by a VA-appointed fiduciary. | Report the concern to the VA. |
| Court that appointed a guardian or conservator | Suspected misuse by a guardian or conservator. | Raise the concern with the court responsible for the appointment. |
| Facility and state oversight bodies | Suspected abuse connected to a nursing home or assisted-living community. | Depending on who is involved and where the conduct occurred, possible contacts include the facility administrator or designated abuse-report recipient, state nursing-home survey agency, assisted-living licensing board, professional licensing board, or state long-term care ombudsman. |
Use contact details from official agency sources or another trusted source. If you are unsure which local agency handles a report, ask local government offices or police to direct you to the appropriate program.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWhat information to include
Give the agency the facts you have, distinguish what you saw from what you suspect, and say when information is uncertain. The CFPB says not to wait until every detail is available. Useful information includes:
#1 Best Overall
- Dates, times, and locations of the suspected incidents.
- Names of people involved and anyone who witnessed events.
- A plain-language description of the suspected financial abuse and any related abuse or neglect.
- Relevant disabilities or health conditions, including memory loss or decision-making ability when pertinent.
- Whether anyone remains at urgent risk of danger.
Keep relevant account statements, transaction records, messages, letters, and other communications where available. Ask the financial provider and each investigating agency how to submit supporting documents. Do not alter original records, and do not put yourself or the older adult at risk to obtain more evidence.
How money might be recovered
The CFPB’s 2022 framework describes four stages that are often part of recovery: identify that exploitation occurred, report the suspected exploitation, investigate, and return funds. These stages are not individually sufficient to ensure money comes back. The outcome depends on the facts, how soon the issue is reported, whether funds can be traced or frozen, and the financial and legal processes that apply.
Timely reporting can improve the chance of recovery. In a December 2024 interagency statement, federal financial regulators described the FBI’s IC3 Recovery Asset Team as a domestic program intended to streamline communication between financial institutions and FBI field offices and assist with freezing funds sent to fraudulent accounts under false pretenses. The statement also describes FinCEN’s international Rapid Response Program for certain cyber-enabled financial crimes, including business email compromise. These are targeted programs, not a general recovery service or a promise that every loss can be reversed.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The scale of reports is not the same as the scale of proven or recoverable losses: the CFPB reported that financial institutions filed more than 180,000 suspicious activity reports involving suspected elder financial exploitation from 2013 through 2017, associated with more than $6 billion. Those figures describe reports and associated amounts, not a complete count of incidents, verified losses, or money victims could recover.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Legal and protective options depend on the state
Some states allow survivors to bring civil cases to seek money back; some provide ways to temporarily freeze accounts or pause property transfers; and some allow a financial institution to place a temporary hold on a transaction when it suspects elder financial abuse. A civil court may also issue a restraining or protective order. These remedies are not uniform nationally: availability, eligibility, standards, and procedures depend on state law and the individual facts.
Local civil legal services may provide free help to eligible people. A private lawyer or elder-law attorney may also explain possible claims, protective measures, and deadlines. Contact local legal aid, an attorney, or the relevant court promptly to learn what applies in the state; the national guidance does not establish a particular state’s deadline or remedy.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
