The Civil Rights and Elder Justice Section protects District elders and vulnerable adults from financial exploitation, including scams that target or disproportionately affect elders. The Section investigates and pursues civil cases to stop financial exploitation, seeks restitution for victims, and obtains civil penalties against perpetrators, under the District’s Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults and the Elderly Act and other statutes. The Section also works with agency and nonprofit partners to address systemic issues affecting older District residents and conducts community outreach to raise awareness of financial exploitation.
To report scams targeting seniors or elder financial exploitation in DC, contact our office by calling 202-727-3807 or by emailing ElderJustice@dc.gov.
Elder Abuse
This District of Columbia is home to approximately 83,000 seniors and that number is expected to double by 2050. As the elder population grows, so does the potential for an increase in the number of elders who are abused, neglected, and exploited. We must remain vigilant and aware of the signs of abuse to our elders and vulnerable adults. An elder or vulnerable adult may be reluctant to report abuse because of fear of retaliation, lack of the physical or cognitive ability to report the abuse, or because they do not want to get the alleged abuser in trouble. With knowledge of how to detect, prevent, and report abuse, you can help stop it.
Warning Signs of Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation
- Look for changes in:
- personality, such as apologizing excessively or depression
- behavior, such as fearfulness, anxiety, withdrawal, self-harm, irritableness, or repetitive movements, such as rocking or swaying
- physical appearance, such as being underweight, frail, or unclean
- living conditions, such as clutter, disconnected utilities, or disrepair
- Unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, wounds, and other physical injuries
- Transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family
- Overpayment for goods or services
- Unexplained changes in power of attorney, will, or legal documents
- Missing checks, money, or belongings
- Making sudden transactions or needing immediate access to accounts, which could be signs of a scam
- Mentioning that “the government” or law enforcement needs the elder to move money around
- A new “best friend” who causes the elder to act in a manner that is inconsistent with their financial, emotional, mental or physical well-being
Preventing Elder Abuse
Caretakers, family, friends, medical professionals, and others providing support for seniors should watch for warning signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Keep in contact with the individual and their other caregivers, ideally through face-to-face contact. If you become overwhelmed with caregiver duties, find resources at:
Keep in contact with banks and other financial institutions that the elder frequents. Get to know bank staff, investment advisors, and others handling the elder’s money.
To seek a protection order or have an abusive person removed from a senior’s home:
Visit Domestic Violence Intake Centers
- DC Superior Court
500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Suite 4235
202-879-0152
- Domestic Violence Intake Center, SE (Satellite Intake Center)
Anacostia Professional Building
2041 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, Room 400
To seek a Guardian or Conservator if the elder or vulnerable adult is incapacitated:
- Contact Adult Protective Services
Call the 24-hour Hotline at 202-541-3950
- File an Intervention Petition in the Probate Division of DC Superior Court
515 Fifth Street, NW, Third Floor
202-879-9460
