How to Report Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation in the U.S.

Elder abuse can involve physical harm, neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, or the misuse of an older adult’s money or property. It may happen at home, in a care facility, or through a phone call, text, or online scam. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, reports can go to local Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, a long-term care ombudsman, or a financial institution, depending on the circumstances. Acting promptly and sharing specific facts can help protect the person and preserve evidence.

What Counts as Elder Abuse or Financial Exploitation?

There is no single definition that applies to every U.S. reporting system. States set their own laws and eligibility rules, and the term “elder” may have a specific age threshold in a particular program. Adult Protective Services (APS), for example, generally investigates reports involving adults who meet state criteria for age, disability, or vulnerability. A person does not necessarily have to be over 65 for a report to be appropriate.

Abuse may be committed by a family member, caregiver, acquaintance, professional, or stranger. It can include intentional harm, failure to provide necessary care, or taking advantage of a person who may have difficulty protecting their interests. Financial exploitation can happen alongside other forms of abuse, but it can also occur on its own.

• Physical abuse: Hitting, pushing, restraining, or causing other bodily injury.
• Neglect: Failing to provide essential food, shelter, hygiene, medical care, or supervision when responsible for doing so.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: Threats, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or controlling behavior.
• Sexual abuse: Sexual contact or conduct without valid consent.
• Financial exploitation: Unauthorized use of money, accounts, benefits, property, or personal information; coercion to change a will or transfer assets; or deception to obtain financial access.

Unusual spending or a change in a person’s finances may have an innocent explanation. A report does not require proof, but it should describe reasonable concerns and observable facts rather than treating suspicion as a confirmed finding.

Where to Report Elder Abuse

The best reporting route depends on where the abuse is happening, whether there is immediate danger, and the type of conduct involved. More than one agency may need to be contacted. Reporting to a bank, for example, does not automatically notify APS or law enforcement.

Call 911 for Immediate Danger

Call 911 if an older adult faces an immediate threat, needs urgent medical attention, is being assaulted, or is unable to get away from a dangerous situation. Give the dispatcher the person’s location, the nature of the danger, any injuries, and whether weapons or urgent medical needs are involved. Do not put yourself at risk by confronting a suspected abuser.

If the situation is concerning but not an emergency, use the appropriate local reporting channel. For a suspected crime, contact the police department or sheriff’s office using its non-emergency number. If a person is in a care facility, contact facility leadership and the relevant state oversight agency as well as the ombudsman when appropriate.

How to Report to Adult Protective Services

APS is a state or local social services program, not a single nationwide agency with one reporting number. The U.S. Administration for Community Living provides an Eldercare Locator to help people find local services. Call 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov to locate the appropriate agency. APS contact details and procedures vary by state and may differ between reports involving a person’s home and those involving a facility.

When contacting APS, explain what was observed, when it happened, where the person lives, and why the situation raises concern. Share the person’s name and contact information if known, and identify the suspected abuser or caregiver if relevant. If details are uncertain, say so. A reporter generally does not need to establish that abuse occurred before making a good-faith report.

APS usually screens reports to determine whether the person and allegations fall within its authority. If a report is accepted, the agency may assess safety, interview the adult or others, and connect the person with services. APS programs generally aim to respect an adult’s right to make decisions, subject to state law and circumstances involving immediate safety or legal authority. A report does not guarantee an investigation or a particular outcome.

Reporting Abuse in a Nursing Home or Care Facility

For suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a nursing home, contact the facility administrator and the state’s long-term care ombudsman program. Ombudsmen advocate for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other settings covered by their state program. They can explain residents’ rights, help raise concerns, and work toward resolution. Find local contact information through the Administration for Community Living’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Serious injury, suspected assault, theft, or immediate danger may also require a police report. For a Medicare- or Medicaid-certified nursing home, concerns about care or regulatory violations can be reported to the state survey agency. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides state contacts and information through Care Compare and its nursing home resources. An ombudsman is not a substitute for emergency services or a criminal investigation.

How to Report Financial Exploitation

Contact the financial institution’s fraud department promptly if an account, card, check, benefit, or investment may be compromised. Ask what steps are available to secure the account, dispute unauthorized transactions, stop payments, replace cards, or add alerts. The institution may have deadlines and specific documentation requirements. Use contact details from the institution’s official website, statement, or card rather than a number supplied in a suspicious message.

Also consider reporting the concern to local law enforcement and APS. If the suspected conduct involves an online scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For suspected internet crime, including online financial fraud, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Suspected investment fraud can be reported to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports help authorities and agencies identify patterns, but submitting a complaint does not guarantee recovery of money.

For fraud involving Social Security benefits, contact the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General through oig.ssa.gov. For suspected misuse of a person’s identity or tax information, use the relevant official federal agency reporting process. Avoid sharing sensitive details on unofficial websites or with callers claiming they can recover stolen funds for an upfront fee.

What Information to Include in a Report

A clear, factual report is more useful than a conclusion about what happened. Report what was seen, heard, or documented, and distinguish direct observations from information received from someone else. If there is a possible immediate risk, say so at the start of the call.

• The older adult’s name, location, and safe contact information, if known.
• The dates, times, and locations of concerning events, including whether the concern is ongoing.
• Specific observations, such as unexplained injuries, missing funds, unpaid bills despite available money, or restricted access to food or medication.
• The names and roles of people involved, such as a caregiver, relative, facility employee, or financial adviser.
• Relevant documents or records, including messages, account statements, receipts, photographs, and police or medical records.
• Any immediate safety concerns, communication barriers, medical needs, or steps already taken.

Ask for the report or case number, the agency’s name, and a safe way to follow up. Keep copies of documents and a dated record of calls. Do not alter original records, access accounts without authorization, or secretly record conversations without checking applicable state law.

Steps to Reduce Further Financial Harm

When it is safe and appropriate, help the older adult contact their bank, credit union, brokerage, or benefits provider using a verified number. Ask whether the institution can flag suspected exploitation and explain its procedures. A person who still has decision-making capacity should generally remain involved in choices about their money; concern alone does not give another person authority to take control of an account.

• Change compromised passwords and use unique passwords for important accounts; enable multifactor authentication where available.
• Review recent transactions and account statements for unfamiliar withdrawals, transfers, checks, or new payees.
• Secure checks, payment cards, identity documents, and devices without restricting the person’s lawful access.
• Contact the relevant company promptly to dispute unauthorized charges and ask about deadlines.
• For suspected identity theft, follow the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance at IdentityTheft.gov.
• Do not pay a supposed “recovery specialist” who promises to retrieve funds in exchange for an upfront fee or more personal information.

Do not move money, cancel access, or change legal documents on someone else’s behalf unless the older adult consents or the person has lawful authority, such as a valid power of attorney for the specific action. If capacity or authority is unclear, seek advice from an attorney or the appropriate social services agency rather than improvising.

Confidentiality, Consent, and Mandatory Reporting

Reporting rules differ by state. Some professionals, such as health care workers, social workers, or facility staff, may be required by law to report suspected abuse in certain circumstances. Other people may make voluntary reports. The person receiving a report can explain the local process, including whether the reporter’s identity may be kept confidential and what information may be shared.

When possible and safe, involve the older adult in decisions and ask what help they want. Respect privacy, but do not delay contacting emergency responders when someone faces immediate danger. If the suspected abuser monitors the person’s phone, email, or movements, use a safer way to communicate and mention that concern to the agency.

Federal resources provide starting points, but APS eligibility, reporting duties, confidentiality rules, and investigation procedures are determined largely by state and local law. For current contacts and guidance, consult the official APS, police, state survey agency, or ombudsman website for the person’s location.