Texas Elder Justice Coalition is a network of Texas professionals from multiple fields and disciplines working together to end financial exploitation of older adults in Texas. Our work focuses on education, advocacy, accountability and collaboration with state and community partners to ensure that older adults age with dignity and financial security.
TEJC is a growing coalition of professionals serving and safeguarding older adults from becoming victims of exploitation and losing their precious wealth and health. Our central goal is to enlist as many types of organizations across Texas as possible to educate one another and improve systems of communication for identifying and reporting fraud and exploitation directed at older adults. In addition, our coalition focuses on deterring, interrupting and addressing financial exploitation of older adults.
Older adults in the U.S. lose approximately $28 billion every year to financial exploitation.
For every one case of financial exploitation of an older adult reported, another 43 never come forward.
72% of financial exploitation of older adult cases are committed by someone known to the older adult.
Texas is home to the third largest population of adults 65+ in the nation.
Sources: AARP Bank Safe Initiative. AARP Report Finds $28.3 Billion a Year is Stolen from U.S. Adults Over 60. AARP Press Room (June 15, 2023). Peterson, J.C., Burnes, D.P., Caccamise, P.L. et al. Financial Exploitation of Older Adults: A Population-Based Prevalence Study. J GEN INTERN MED 29, 1615–1623 (2014). AARP Bank Safe Initiative. AARP Report Finds $28.3 Billion a Year is Stolen from U.S. Adults Over 60. AARP Press Room (June 15, 2023). FBI. 2023 Elder Fraud Report (April 30, 2024).
Elder justice is when the collective actions of professionals, older adults, family and friends eliminate financial exploitation of older adults.
Financial exploitation is unauthorized or improper use of an older adult’s funds, property or assets for someone else’s benefit, often to the detriment of the older adult. All types of financial exploitation of older adults are, in short, theft.
Being financially exploited can be devastating to an older adult — not only because of financial losses, but also because there are significant emotional, psychological and physical consequences. Financial exploitation jeopardizes an older adult’s financial security, independence and quality of life. According to data from the National Elder Justice Law Enforcement Summit, even mild abuse, neglect or exploitation increase premature deaths in the elder older adult population by 300%.
Perpetrators can be family members, caregivers, financial advisors or strangers.
Recognizing the signs of financial exploitation and taking proactive measures to prevent and address it are crucial in safeguarding the financial well-being and dignity of older adults.
Examples of financial exploitation typically used by family, friends, caregivers or people they trust include:
Taking money or property from an older adult without their consent or knowledge.
Deceiving or tricking an older adult into giving away money or assets through false promises, misrepresentation or manipulation.
Pressuring or forcing an older adult to make financial decisions against their will, often through threats or intimidation.
Persuading or manipulating an older adult to change their will, sign over assets, or make financial transactions that benefit the influencer at the expense of the older adult's best interests.
Using a legally appointed power of attorney to access an older adult's finances for personal gain rather than for the benefit of the older adult.
Examples of financial exploitation typically used by strangers include:
Conning older adults through phone, mail, email or online schemes, such as lottery scams, grandparent scams or investment scams.
It Can Be Agony When a Loved One Is a Scam Victim — But Refuses to See It
Some chronic fraud victims deny that they’ve been targeted by scammers, frustrating the people who care about them
Tips to protect yourself Create a secret word or phrase with your family to verify their identity. Look for subtle imperfections in images and videos, such as distorted hands or feet, unrealistic teeth or eyes, indistinct or irregular faces, unrealistic accessories such as glasses or jewelry, inaccurate shadows, watermarks, lag time, voice matching, and unrealistic movements. Listen closely to the tone and word choice to distinguish between a legitimate phone call from a loved one and an AI-generated vocal cloning.
To avoid fake shipping notification scams:
Don’t click on links in messages about an unexpected delivery. If you get a message about an unexpected package delivery that tells you to click on a link for some reason, don’t click.
One of the most critical risks facing older Americans, and indeed, Americans of all ages, is the problem of fraud. Fraud is devastating to the
Dana Hoffman
Coordinator, Texas Elder Justice Coalition
682-235-5354
PO Box 11481
Fort Worth, TX 76110
This is a Texas-focused coalition website. Information may not be accurate for other locations. This website is not to be substituted for legal advice. This disclaimer will be governed by and construed in accordance with Texas, and any disputes relating to this disclaimer will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Fort Worth, Texas.
