Preventing Elder Financial Exploitation: How Banks Can Help

Since its inception in 1995, the Elder Financial Exploitation Prevention Project has grown to be a nationally recognized and replicated program, putting Oregon "on the map". It is a successful public/private partnership that strives to prevent, detect and report suspected financial abuse of seniors in Oregon. In addition to the OBA, partners in the project include the Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon Department of Human Services - Office of Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations.

The major product of the project is a finely crafted, comprehensive toolkit for bankers.  The kit includes a training manual and a DVD with information for bank personnel about how to recognize and report possible elder financial exploitation.  The DVD contains scenarios in bank settings based on actual events experienced by OBA members.

The banker toolkit was updated in 2013 and distributed to every bank in Oregon. The kit and DVD are available online and free of charge for use by financial institutions and the general public. The toolkit components can be accessed below.

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Toolkit Materials

Training Manual (PDF)
Brochure (PDF)
DVD (full version) or view individual chapters:

• Welcome from the Oregon Bankers Association
• Scenario 1: ATM Fraud
• Scenario 2: Power of Attorney Fraud
• Scenario 3: Lottery Fraud
• Scenario 4: Intimidation Fraud
• Scenario 5: Checking Fraud
• Scenario 6: Account Fraud
• A Message from Oregon's Attorney General
• A Message from the Oregon Department of Human Services

Reporting Abuse

If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, call your state's elder abuse hotline or reporting number. Help is available. For information on reporting abuse in the state of Oregon, please click here. In an emergency, call 911 or the local police.

If the elder lives in another state, call the protective services agency where the elder lives. Information and referral is also available from the national Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging. Call toll-free 1-800-677-1116, Monday through Friday 9am to 8pm ET (except U.S. federal holidays) or click here to chat with one of their information specialists.