INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— Indiana’s Secretary of State, Diego Morales, is warning elderly Hoosiers of scams targeting them.
June 15 isn’t just Father’s Day, but it is also known as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Indiana Securities Division, which Morales oversees, works year-round to educate the public on elder abuse, especially when it comes to financial exploitation. They do this through local events at churches, retirement homes, and local civic organizations across the Hoosier State.
“We continue to work closely with financial institutions, investment professionals, and law enforcement to protect Indiana’s senior citizens,” said Marie Castetter, Indiana Securities Commissioner. “Knowledge is power—we want to equip older Hoosiers with the information they need to spot red flags and stop scams before they happen.”
Some ways the Securities Division recommends to keep the elderly safe from financial exploitation are:
- Naming a trusted contact on all financial accounts
- Shredding documents that contain personal information
- Recognizing common scam tactics such as threats of arrest or demands for payment via wire transfer, crypto ATMS, or gift cards—and hanging up immediately if contacted
“Respecting our senior citizens is a fundamental value,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State. “Unfortunately, some bad actors specifically target our most vulnerable citizens. My office is committed to protecting Hoosier seniors by offering tools and resources to help them and their families avoid these harmful scams.”
The Secretary of State’s Office is also a member of IN-CASE, the Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation. This group also works to raise awareness among older adults and professionals who work with them. If you are interested in scheduling a fraud prevention presentation, you can call 317-232-6681 for more information.
