Examining the Victim Service Experiences of Older Adults Who Have Experienced Fraud

• In Event: Contemporary Issues in Victimization: Religion and Fraud

Abstract

In 2023, 24% of fraud complaints filed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation involved older adults, accounting for more than $3.4 billion in total losses. Although financial fraud impacts people of all ages, older adults are at greater risk for certain types of scams and have been shown to be the age group with the highest median financial loss. Older adults who experience financial fraud are also more likely to be re-victimized by fraud perpetrators. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative supported the National Elder Abuse Victim Services Needs Assessment to explore the types of services provided to individuals who have experienced elder abuse, gaps in services, barriers to accessing and providing services, and the capacity-building needs of elder justice professionals through surveys and focus groups. Of the 125 participants who responded to the National Survey of Individuals Who Have Experienced Elder Abuse, 80% (n = 100) had experienced fraud, and 55 focus group participants experienced fraud. This presentation will share findings about the services accessed by older adults who had experienced fraud, their experiences with those services, and the existing gaps in service provision for this form of elder abuse.

Authors

• Rachel Castellano, ICF

• Christine Doelger, ICF

• Alana Henninger, ICF

• Erica Fissel, ICF

• Melissa Rorie, ICF

• Claire McDowell, ICF