Rushmore State News

Alison J. Ramsdell, the U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota, has joined forces with federal, state, tribal, and local advocates to recognize June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. The initiative aims to raise awareness about elder abuse and highlight resources available to those at risk.

"Millions of seniors are affected by elder abuse each year, which robs them of their finances, their security, and their dignity," stated U.S. Attorney Ramsdell. "The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those that target our vulnerable friends, family and neighbors. It is crucial that the public also join the effort by checking on older adults and watching for signs of abuse or unusual financial transactions."

Several warning signs may indicate a loved one is experiencing elder fraud. These include unexplained charges or withdrawals from a bank account, suspicious signatures on checks or other financial documents, abrupt changes in a will or other financial document, and unpaid bills despite having adequate financial resources.

To assist older individuals and their families in identifying and avoiding fraudulent activity, the Justice Department offers Senior Scam Alerts with information about various tactics used in scams or frauds. Common examples include calls from unknown individuals claiming a loved one has been kidnapped or arrested; requests for money from an online romantic partner who has never been met; and requests to buy and forward gift cards.

For more information on the Department's elder justice efforts, individuals can visit the Elder Justice Initiative page.

To report elder fraud, contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 or 1-833-372-8311. Additionally, reports can be made through the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center at IC3.gov.