News Summary
As June marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, San Diego is addressing the urgent issue of elder financial scams. A free educational event will take place on June 6 at the John D. Spreckels Center. With California facing legislative setbacks in protecting seniors, advocates hope increased awareness will help combat the rising crisis of elder abuse and financial exploitation, where seniors have lost millions in scams. Community leaders emphasize the importance of recognizing warning signs and reporting suspicious activities promptly.
San Diego – As June marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the San Diego community is rallying to address the rising issue of elder abuse, particularly financial scams that disproportionately affect older adults. A free presentation aimed at educating the public about recognizing and preventing elder abuse is scheduled for Friday, June 6, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at the John D. Spreckels Center.
The event, organized by the County of San Diego’s Aging & Independence Services, is open to older adults, caregivers, family members, neighbors, and community advocates. Participants can expect to learn about the prevalence of elder abuse, warning signs, and effective prevention methods. Interested individuals can register online at ca-coronado.civicrec.com, by calling 619-522-7343, or by visiting the Spreckels Center front desk.
The urgency of this awareness campaign comes in light of recent legislative setbacks in California. A San Diego family expressed their disappointment following Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of a bill intended to safeguard elderly victims from financial scams. This legislation aimed to combat financial elder abuse, which can lead to substantial losses of savings for vulnerable seniors.
In June 2024, Ave Williams testified before the California Assembly advocating for the legislation after her father was deceived in a scam that nearly depleted $700,000 of his savings. Despite this compelling testimony, the governor dismissed the bill due to concerns that a “mandatory three-day hold” on suspicious transactions could yield unintended consequences.
State Senator Bill Dodd, who authored the bill, criticized the veto as unjust and expressed deep disappointment with the decision. The lack of enhanced protection has left many advocates and families searching for alternative methods to combat this escalating problem.
In response to growing concerns, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the San Diego FBI have intensified their efforts to aid victims of elder fraud and recover lost funds. The collaboration has reportedly succeeded in recovering $3.3 million for fraud victims since the beginning of the year. Tara McGrath, the U.S. Attorney of California’s Southern District, underscored the importance of early reporting in potentially recovering lost funds. Victims are advised to report any scams as soon as possible, ideally within 12 hours of suspicion.
In 2023, California had the highest incidence of fraud victims and monetary losses across the United States, with seniors collectively losing an estimated $2.1 billion. In San Diego County alone, elderly victims of fraud are estimated to lose between $3 to $6 million each month, with many incidents going unreported due to the stigma surrounding these crimes. Common scams targeting seniors are executed through email, phone calls, and text messages, prompting experts to advise that legitimate companies do not request personal information through these channels.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported over 880,000 complaints in 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $12.5 billion nationwide. Individuals over the age of 60 suffered losses totaling $3.4 billion, marking an alarming 11% increase compared to the previous year. The most prevalent type of crime affecting seniors was tech support fraud, with approximately 18,000 complaints that led to losses nearing $600 million.
Amid these troubling statistics, community efforts, such as the upcoming presentation, highlight the importance of education and awareness in preventing elder abuse and aiding those affected. The hope remains that increased public knowledge and legislative support will help to combat this growing issue, protecting vulnerable populations from financial exploitation and abuse.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- 10 News: San Diego Family Disappointed by Veto of Elder Financial Abuse Bill
- Wikipedia: Elder Abuse
- County News Center: County Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
- Google Search: Elder Abuse Awareness
- NBC San Diego: Jewelry Theft Suspect Arrested on Elder Abuse Charge
- Google Scholar: Elder Abuse Financial Scams
- New York Post: Scammers Get Away with Billions from Elderly Americans Every Year
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Elder Abuse
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
