ELDER JUSTICE UNIT

The Elder Justice Unit was established to protect senior citizens from fraud, scams and financial exploitation. Too many of our Hamilton County seniors have suffered significant financial harm and emotional trauma from scams. Unfortunately, these crimes are under-reported because the elderly victims are often too embarrassed to make a report or tell anyone.

Our team of highly skilled attorneys and professionals work closely with Adult Protective Services and law enforcement agencies to fight fraud by identifying, investigating and prosecuting offenders when appropriate while also connecting these seniors to community services and supports. Our team, including our public and private partners, will work tirelessly to identify emerging scams and disrupt technology and other methods used to prey on vulnerable seniors.

If you, your loved one or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, fraud or financial exploitation, you can call 513-946-SCAM(7226) for assistance.

Crimes against older adults are underestimated and underreported.  You can help.

• If you believe the elder person is in immediate danger call 911.
• Cases of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation should be reported to Hamilton County Adult Protective Services @ 513-421-LIFE (5433) or click here to File a Abuse/Neglect (Adult Protection Services APS) online complaint with Adult Protective Services.
• Contact your local law enforcement agency if you believe an elder person has been the victim of fraud, financial exploitation or any other crime.  (Local Police Agencies link) 

Information regarding all of the programs and services available to Seniors in Hamilton County

• Council on Aging of SW Ohio  513-721-1025

Independent living services.

• Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY  513-244-5485

Evictions/Landlord/Tenant Disputes

• Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati  513-241-9400            

Nursing home complaints

• Pro Seniors   513-244-5485

Guardianship:

• Judge Ralph Winkler, Hamilton County Probate Court 513-946-3600

Reporting Elder Abuse/Neglect/Financial Exploitation

• Hamilton County Adult Protective Services  513-421-5433
• Local Police Agencies See List
• Dave Yost Ohio Attorney General  800-282-0515

1. Physical Abuse – means one person intentionally hurts another through physical force. This can include hitting, slapping, pinching or other acts that cause physical pain or injury.
2. Sexual Abuse-means someone is forced into a sexual or intimate situation by another person. This can include rape, unwanted sexual contact or talk, forced to be naked or partial undressed, and forced to do sexual or intimate acts in front of another.
3. Emotional Abuse – means to threaten, humiliate, intimidate, or psychologically harm an adult by words or actions. This can include insults, threats, intimidation, being placed in humiliating situations, violating privacy and ignoring an individual’s rights to make their own decisions.
4. Neglect or Isolation– means a vulnerable adult’s basic needs are not being met placing them at higher risk for getting sick or hurt. This can be the result of the person’s own choices (self-neglect) or due to the actions or inactions of someone or a caregiver who is supposed to help meet their needs (neglect by others).
5. Financial Exploitation – means the use of an older adult’s money, information or belongings for that person’s personal benefit. This can include stealing money, selling or trading their property, keeping money and property away from the older adult, accessing bank accounts, using credit cards or targeting them in a scam.  A vulnerable adult can be exploited by a stranger or someone they know and trust.
6. Emergency – means that the adult is living in conditions which present a substantial risk or immediate and irreparable harm or death to self or any other person.

For more information on elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, see https://aging.ohio.gov/care-and-living/get-help/elder-justice/elder-abuse-neglect-and-exploitation-1

Abuse/Neglect

• Elder Abuse Commission
• Elder Abuse Commission Palm Card
• Recognize and Report Patient Abuse and Neglect
• Older Adult and Elder Abuse
• Elder Abuse and Neglect
• Older Adults and Medication Safety

Fraud/Scam/Identify Theft

• Beware Phone Call Scams During Covid
• Consumer Scams
• Consumer Tips, Resources on Avoiding Scams
• CyberSmarts for Older Adults Flyer
• Cyberspace Security
• Elder Fraud and Financial Exploitation Brochure
• Financial Fraud and Exploitation Affecting Older Adults Brochure
• Home Improvement Scams: Tools to Reduce Your Risk
• Identity Theft Basics
• Notary Scams
• Phone Scams Checklist
• Protect Your Financial Information
• Protect Your Pocket Book
• Robocall Basics
• Steer Clear of Covid-19 Scams
• We All Play a Part to Stay Cyber Smart

Aging in General

• Before You Give Up the Keys Create a Roadmap for Transportation Independence
• Brain Health: You Can Make a Difference!
• Caring Across the Miles: Resources for Long-Distance Caregiver
• Council on Aging – Guide to Programs and Aging
• Eldercare Locator Brochure
• Elderly Services Program
• Fast Track Home
• Healthcare Power of Attorney
• Healthy Aging in a Pandemic World: What Older Adults and Caregivers Need to Know Now
• Helping Older Adults Weather the Storm Before, During and After Disasters
• Hospital to Home: Plan for Smooth Transition
• Housing Options for Older Adults: A Guide for Making Housing Decisions
• Lemon Law Booklet
• Let’s Talk
• Living Well with Dementia in the Community
• Living Wills
• Modifying Your Home for Healthy Aging
• Ohio Homebuyers Protection Act
• Ohio’s Do not Resuscitate Order Law
• Pro Seniors General Brochure