Detecting Fraud Against Older Adults Building Awareness and Resources for Library Staff - 1 LEU

Financial fraud and exploitation results in the loss of billions of dollars every year. These crimes often go unreported because victims are scared, embarrassed, or don’t know who to call. The U.S. Department of Justice National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, provides services to adults aged 60 and older who experience financial fraud and exploitation to help them report the crime and access appropriate resources. In addition to the financial impact of these crimes, the emotional toll older adult victims of fraud suffer can be devastating. Professionals that interact frequently with older adults can play a critical role in identifying potential frauds and scams and utilize the opportunity to raise awareness of and share resources that may be available to assist victims of financial fraud, such as the NEFH. This presentation will cover some common scams, warning signs to look for, available resources, and steps to take should one suspect a fraud or scam is taking place.
Presenter: Helen Supanich, Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline
Ms. Supanich has ten years’ experience providing services to older adults. She is currently a Case Management Shift Supervisor for the Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline. Previously, Ms. Supanich worked as an Advocate for the VOCA-funded Holistic Elder Abuse Response Team (“HEART”) at the non-profit WISE & Healthy Aging, where she partnered with Adult Protective Services and Long Beach Police Department; she provided case management and advocacy services to older/dependent adult abuse survivors. Prior to this, Ms. Supanich was an Ombudsman with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in Los Angeles County (Region II), where she investigated abuse, neglect, and other issues at long-term care facilities in her assigned region and served as an advocate for residents at these facilities.