Reporting

How to report elder financial abuse

6 min read

By Nora Hale, OwlGuardian Safety DeskPublished October 14, 2026How we research

The short answer

Call 911 if someone is in danger now. Otherwise, report financial exploitation of an older adult to Adult Protective Services in the state where they live, and to their bank. For fraud by strangers, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. You don't need proof or every detail to report.

Who to call depends on who's taking the money

Danger right now, or someone coming to collect cash: 911.
A stranger scam (phone, email, romance, tech support): The National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and ic3.gov for online fraud.
Someone they know (relative, caregiver, neighbor, new "friend"): Adult Protective Services, plus local police for theft.
Money taken by staff at a nursing home or assisted living: The facility administrator first, then the state licensing agency and the long-term care ombudsman. Find the ombudsman at theconsumervoice.org.
A Social Security representative payee misusing benefits: Your local Social Security office.
A VA fiduciary misusing benefits: The VA.
A guardian or conservator: The court that appointed them.
Fraud by mail: The US Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report.
Any bank, card, or account involved: The financial institution, as soon as possible. The CFPB notes they may be able to recover money.

How to find Adult Protective Services in your state

Every state has APS, but the name and the way you report differ by state. Some take reports online, some by phone, some both. The Justice Department points people to NAPSA, which lists APS contacts for every state and territory.

Use NAPSA's state list
Go to napsa-now.org/help-in-your-area and pick the state where your parent lives, not where you live.
Or call the Eldercare Locator
Call or text 1-800-677-1116. You can also chat online at eldercare.acl.gov. Staff can point you to local APS and aging services.
Or use the DOJ resource locator
The Justice Department lists elder abuse resources by state at justice.gov/elderjustice/support.

Free recovery checklist

Get the step-by-step plan in your inbox

The printable C.A.L.M. checklist and who to call. No sales pitch. Or open the checklist now (PDF).

What to gather before you call

The CFPB suggests noting these. Get what you can, but don't wait if you're missing some. The CFPB says investigators "do not expect you to know everything."

Dates, times, and places of each incident.
Names of the people involved and any witnesses.
What happened with the money: amounts, accounts, and how it was sent.
Any other abuse or neglect you've noticed.
Health conditions, especially memory loss or trouble making decisions.
Whether anyone is in danger right now.
Copies or photos of statements, checks, receipts, and messages.

What to say when you call APS

A simple opening

"I'm calling to report suspected financial exploitation of an older adult."

"My [mother/father], [name], is [age] and lives at [address]."

"Here's what I've seen: [two or three facts with dates and amounts]."

"I'm worried because [memory changes / they keep sending money / this person controls their mail]."

"Can you tell me what happens next, and whether my name will be shared?"

The National Elder Fraud Hotline

Phone: 1-833-372-8311 (833-FRAUD-11).
Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm Eastern.
What happens: A case manager is assigned to you, helps you report, and connects you with other help. They stay your point of contact.
Who can call: Victims, or people who know a victim. You can call for your parent.
Languages: English, Spanish, and other languages.

Other options the CFPB lists

Ask the local district attorney about prosecution.
Contact legal aid or a private attorney. Some states allow civil cases to recover money, temporary account freezes, or protective orders.
Ask a social worker or patient advocate at your parent's doctor's office or facility to help.

State laws on elder financial abuse vary. What counts as a crime, who must report, and how APS investigates are different from state to state. Your state's APS office can explain its process.

Questions people ask

How do I report elder financial abuse?

Call 911 for immediate danger. Otherwise, report to Adult Protective Services in the state where the person lives (find it through NAPSA or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116), and contact their bank. For scams by strangers, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

How do I report elder abuse anonymously?

Rules vary by state. When you call APS, ask whether your name will be shared with the person or family.

Who investigates elder financial abuse?

Adult Protective Services investigates in most cases. Police and district attorneys handle crimes. Long-term care ombudsmen advocate for nursing home and assisted living residents.

What do I need to report elder financial abuse?

Whatever you have: dates, names, amounts, how money was moved, and any health concerns. You don't need proof. The CFPB says authorities don't expect you to know everything.

How do I report elder abuse in my state?

Use NAPSA's state-by-state list at napsa-now.org/help-in-your-area, or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. Report in the state where the older adult lives.

Need to act right now?

Use the free recovery wizard.

Who to call, what to say, in order.

Open the wizard

The Night Watch · weekly

One short email a week about the scams going around

What's hitting inboxes and phones right now, what it looks like, and the one thing to tell your parents. Written in plain English.

Sources

OwlGuardian provides general safety information, not legal or financial advice. Policies differ by bank and by state, so confirm details with your bank or a qualified professional.