District Attorneys Seek to Protect Seniors from Fraud and Abuse

By PDAA Executive Director Kelly Callihan

As a former district attorney, I have seen too often older Pennsylvanians being victimized by scammers taking advantage of their kindness and empathy.

Our older neighbors are especially vulnerable to becoming victims of crime. Their financial stability, caring nature, ease in trusting others – and sometimes loneliness or desire for meaningful connections – make them attractive targets to thieves.

Many victims lose their life savings to scams.  Criminals target and manipulate those who have accumulated wealth for their retirement years as they become more dependent on others and often experience health and mental declines.

Last September, I submitted testimony on behalf of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) before the Pennsylvania Senate Aging & Youth and Banking & Insurance Committees. I reiterated why prosecutors’ offices actively participate in anti-fraud and abuse programs, and why the Commonwealth needs to do much more to protect seniors.

In the past the legislature recognized the vulnerable status of older adults by enhancing penalties when victims of fraud are 60 years or older.  With the advancements in technology including common use of cell phones, social media, phishing scams, and most recently the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), seniors are even more at risk.

Our communities need to do all that we can to educate seniors and their extended family members or caregivers on how to be safe on the internet, in their homes, and while using their phones or email accounts.

Law enforcement needs training and resources, along with better working relationships and information-sharing with financial institutions.  Elder abuse task forces are vital and have enhanced collaboration at the local level between local, state and federal partners leading to more successful prosecutions.

Prosecutors will continue to work with police and local service providers, including county Area Agencies on Aging, to identify elder physical, sexual, and financial abuse and hold offenders accountable.

We need everyone to do more to protect our older family members, friends and neighbors.

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PDAA Executive Director Kelly Callihan is the former district attorney of Cambria County. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently appointed Callihan to its Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts.