Correlates and Incident Characteristics of Different Types of Elder Financial Fraud

• In Event: New Contexts, New Risk Factors: Examining Risks for Victimization

Abstract

Research consistently suggests that elders are at an increased risk of experiencing financial fraud, yet little empirical endeavors have focused on exploring how correlates and characteristics of elder financial fraud compare across types. Using two years of call data from the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline (NEFH), we explore correlates (e.g., personal characteristics), along with incident characteristics associated with different types of elder financial fraud (e.g., romance scams, government imposter, business imposter, etc.). These results can identify who may be at a higher risk of experience each type of financial fraud, which can be used to inform prevention education and strategies. Moreover, the findings contribute to the understanding of how elder financial fraud types differ in terms of characteristics and outcomes.

Authors

• Jessica Garcia, ICF

• Jordan Ekstrom, ICF

• Erica Fissel, ICF

• Alana Henninger, ICF