Protecting older adults from fraud and financial exploitation

Losing money or possessions to scams, fraud, and exploitation can be especially devastating to older adults, who may be not be able to earn back what they’ve lost.

Money Smart for Older Adults

Older adults can be attractive targets for financial predators both known and unknown to them. "Money Smart for Older Adults" is designed to help older adults, family caregivers and others prevent, recognize, and report financial exploitation.

English

Download or order free bulk copies of COVID-19 Scams and Planning tips handout

Download or order free bulk copies of "Money Smart for Older Adults" Resource Guide (Updated June 2021)

Download Instructor Guide and PowerPoint

Spanish

Download COVID-19 Scams and Planning tips handout

Download or order free bulk copies of "Money Smart for Older Adults" Resource Guide

Download Instructor Guide and PowerPoint

Consumer advisories: Preventing fraud

Title	Action
Choosing a trusted contact person can help you protect your money	Read the consumer guide Order bulk copies
Work with your bank or credit union to protect older adults from financial exploitation	Download the consumer advisory
How to avoid becoming a victim of an asset recovery scam	Download the consumer advisory
Planning for diminished capacity and illness	Download the consumer advisory

Resources for caregivers and service providers

Title	Action
Preventing elder financial abuse: Guide for nursing homes and assisted living communities	Download the guide Order bulk copies
Preventing elder financial abuse: Guide for family and friends of people living in nursing homes and assisted living communities	Download the guide Order bulk copies
Reporting elder financial abuse: Help for family and friends of people living in nursing homes and assisted living communities	Read the bifold Download the bifold Order bulk copies
Placemats with consumer protection tips to use with older adults	Order placemats
Support your community’s fight against elder financial exploitation	Read the report

Resources for financial institutions

Title	Actions
Financial institutions can help prevent elder financial exploitation with alerts to trusted contacts	Download the advisory Download or order the consumer guide
Age-friendly promotional toolkit for banks	View the toolkit
Age-friendly promotional toolkit for credit unions	View the toolkit
Reporting of Suspected Elder Financial Exploitation by Financial Institutions	Read the advisory update
Suspicious Activity Reports on Elder Financial Exploitation	Read the report
Advisory and report for financial institutions on preventing and responding to elder financial exploitation	Read the advisory and report
Interagency guidance on privacy laws and reporting financial abuse of older adults	Read the document
Memorandum on financial institution and law enforcement efforts to combat elder financial exploitation	Read the memorandum

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Legal disclaimer

The content on this page provides general consumer information. It is not legal advice or regulatory guidance. The CFPB updates this information periodically. This information may include links or references to third-party resources or content. We do not endorse the third-party or guarantee the accuracy of this third-party information. There may be other resources that also serve your needs.