How to Report Elder Abuse and Senior Fraud: Complete U.S. Guide
Last reviewed: June 1, 2026·
Written by James Carter, Consumer Rights Researcher
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Reviewed by HowToReport Editorial Desk·Independent resource — not a government site
Quick answer
Report elder abuse to Adult Protective Services at 1-800-677-1116 and nursing home abuse to your state Long-Term Care Ombudsman. This complete guide covers all forms of senior fraud and abuse with all 50 state APS contacts.
Important: Elder abuse and senior fraud notice
This guide is for general educational guidance only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Elder abuse and senior fraud reports may involve immediate safety, finances, caregiving, medical care, or criminal investigation.
If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services. Preserve evidence, avoid confronting a suspected abuser when it could increase risk, and use official adult protective services, law enforcement, or fraud reporting channels.
Quick answer: For elder abuse emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency elder abuse, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to reach your local Adult Protective Services. For nursing home abuse, contact your state Long-Term Care Ombudsman. For financial exploitation, also report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state AG.
🚨Emergency: Call 911 immediately if the senior is in danger
💰Cost: All APS reports are free and can be anonymous
Elder abuse is one of the most underreported crimes in America — estimates suggest only 1 in 14 cases is ever reported. Seniors over 65 are the top target for financial fraud, romance scams, Medicare fraud, and caregiver abuse. Financial exploitation alone costs seniors an estimated $28.3 billion annually. Medicare fraud costs the program over $60 billion per year — whistleblowers can receive 15–30% of recovered funds under the False Claims Act. Every U.S. state has mandatory reporting laws — in most states, healthcare workers, financial professionals, and social workers are legally required to report.
Physical, Emotional, and Caregiver Abuse
Elder abuse includes physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and abandonment. It can be perpetrated by family members, paid caregivers, neighbors, or strangers. In-home abuse is reported to Adult Protective Services (APS). Abuse in facilities is reported to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are regulated by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). Every state has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman program — federally mandated — that investigates complaints against nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Complaints are confidential and may be filed anonymously.
Issue
Report To
Detailed Guide
Nursing home abuse, neglect, or poor care
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman + state Health Dept
Financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse — costing seniors an estimated $28.3 billion annually. It includes theft by family members, undue influence, unauthorized use of power of attorney, and predatory financial products. Report to APS, local law enforcement, AND the FTC or state AG simultaneously.
Issue
Report To
Detailed Guide
Theft or financial exploitation by family/caregiver
Seniors are disproportionately targeted by scammers because they’re more likely to be home, more trusting, and more likely to have retirement savings. The most common scams targeting seniors are romance scams, grandparent scams, Medicare scams, lottery scams, and tech support fraud.
Medicare fraud costs the program over $60 billion annually. Common schemes include billing for services not rendered, fake durable medical equipment, pill mills, and identity theft to bill Medicare under a senior’s name. Whistleblowers may qualify for rewards under the False Claims Act.
Elder Justice Act (2010): First federal law specifically addressing elder abuse — funds APS programs and mandates reporting for federally funded long-term care facilities
Older Americans Act: Funds the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in every state
False Claims Act: Allows individuals to sue on behalf of the government for Medicare/Medicaid fraud; whistleblowers receive 15–30% of recovered funds
Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (2017): Directs DOJ to prioritize elder abuse cases and requires training for federal prosecutors
How to Report Elder Abuse: Step by Step
Call 911 immediately for emergencies. If the senior is in immediate danger, don’t wait — call 911. Police can intervene and APS will be contacted.
Document signs of abuse. Photograph injuries, record dates, note behavioral changes, collect financial statements if exploitation is suspected. Detailed records strengthen investigations.
Call the Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116. This free national service connects you to your local APS office and can answer questions about reporting options.
File with your state APS (contacts below). APS investigators visit within 24–72 hours for urgent cases. Reports can be anonymous in all states.
Report nursing home abuse to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman — separate from APS, specifically for facility-based abuse. Find yours at theconsumervoice.org.
File with local law enforcement for physical, sexual, or serious financial abuse. Elder abuse is a crime in all 50 states.
Report financial exploitation to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your state AG. For bank fraud, contact the financial institution’s elder fraud team immediately — many banks now have dedicated lines.
Contact your state AG’s elder fraud unit. Many state AGs have dedicated senior protection divisions with investigators who specialize in elder financial exploitation.
📄 Download Free Elder Abuse Reporting Checklist
Signs to watch for, documentation tips, and agency contacts
All 50 State Adult Protective Services (APS) Contacts
Adult Protective Services (APS) is the primary agency for elder abuse reports in every state. The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can also connect you to your local APS if you’re unsure who to call. Reports can be made 24/7 for emergencies.
✔ Elder abuse is a felony in all 50 states — physical abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect by caregivers can result in years of imprisonment and full restitution orders
✔ Medicare fraud recoveries — DOJ and HHS OIG recovered $2.9 billion in health care fraud judgments in 2023; False Claims Act whistleblowers received hundreds of millions in rewards
✔ Financial exploitation civil remedies — victims (or their estates) can sue for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees under elder abuse statutes in most states; some states provide for triple damages
✔ APS intervention — investigators can obtain emergency guardianship, freeze accounts, remove abusive caregivers, and facilitate criminal prosecution within 24–72 hours of an urgent report
✔ Bank liability — financial institutions that fail to report suspected elder exploitation may face regulatory penalties; many now proactively freeze suspicious transactions
What To Do If Agencies Don’t Respond: Last Resort Options
If APS has investigated but the abuse is continuing, or if financial exploitation has gone unaddressed, here are your escalation paths:
Consult an elder law attorney immediately. Elder law attorneys handle guardianship, conservatorship, financial exploitation recovery, and can obtain emergency court orders to protect a senior’s assets within days. Many offer free initial consultations. Find one via the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org).
Petition for emergency guardianship or conservatorship. If a senior is being financially exploited and lacks capacity to protect themselves, a family member or APS can petition the court for emergency guardianship — this can freeze accounts and remove abusers within 48–72 hours in many states.
Contact the financial institution’s elder fraud team directly. Major banks (Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, etc.) have dedicated elder financial exploitation units. A call from the senior or an authorized family member can freeze suspicious transactions same-day.
File with your state AG’s elder fraud unit. Many state AGs have dedicated senior protection divisions. A direct call — not just an online form — with a specific case description gets faster action than a general consumer complaint.
Contact your local FBI field office. For large-scale financial exploitation ($10,000+), the FBI investigates elder fraud cases. The DOJ Elder Justice Initiative coordinates federal prosecution.
Contact investigative journalists covering elder fraud. Local TV consumer reporters, AARP publications, and ProPublica actively cover elder exploitation. Media coverage can trigger emergency agency response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of elder financial abuse?
Warning signs include: sudden changes in financial accounts or estate documents, unpaid bills despite adequate income, missing checks or cash, new “friends” who seem to control the senior, confusion about finances, reluctance to discuss money, and changes to beneficiaries on accounts or insurance policies.
Can I report elder abuse anonymously?
Yes — all 50 states allow anonymous reports to APS. For nursing home complaints, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman also accepts anonymous reports. You should still provide as much detail as possible to assist investigators, even without giving your name.
What happens after I report elder abuse to APS?
APS must acknowledge your report and begin an investigation. For urgent cases (immediate danger), response is typically within 24 hours. For non-urgent cases, within 3–10 days. Investigators visit the senior, assess safety, and can arrange emergency shelter, medical care, legal intervention, or law enforcement referral.
Who is required to report elder abuse?
Mandatory reporters vary by state but typically include: healthcare workers, social workers, law enforcement, financial institution employees, and staff of care facilities. Some states make all adults mandatory reporters. Anyone — mandatory reporter or not — can report suspected abuse voluntarily in all 50 states.
