As someone who has been the primary caregiver for a disabled elderly parent, I know firsthand how vulnerable seniors can be to abuse, neglect, and financial scams, and how challenging it can be for seniors and their families to keep them safe. Crime reports suggest that about 10% of adults over age sixty in Massachusetts are victims of some form of abuse, but experts estimate that far more incidents go unreported due to fear or isolation.

Financial Crime

According to the FBI, 3,224 cases of elder fraud were reported in Massachusetts in 2024, with total losses of approximately $99.8 million. Yet identifying and prosecuting scammers is often challenging due to technologies that allow them to commit crimes from anywhere and hide their identities. District attorneys can only prosecute crimes that take place within their own districts, but many white-collar crimes cross county, state, and even international lines. If an offender is outside Massachusetts, prosecution is even more difficult.

Abuse and Neglect

Seniors are also vulnerable to emotional and physical abuse and neglect from caregivers, whether in their own homes or in institutional settings. Families and friends must be alert to signs that their senior is being abused or neglected and report concerns promptly. 

Preying on the vulnerable is the worst of criminal behavior. As District Attorney, I will aggressively prosecute crime against our seniors whenever possible. When prosecution is not feasible, I will collaborate with community partners and financial institutions to redress harm and ensure seniors are referred to appropriate community services to prevent future victimization. I will also:

• Ensure that all staff working with seniors are trauma-informed and receive specialized training to understand the issues and challenges faced by seniors and their families and caregivers 

• Collaborate with state and federal law enforcement to identify and prosecute scammers

• Invest resources in forensic financial and technology experts to help prosecute financial crime in Norfolk County 

• Invest in high-quality, interactive trainings for community members to protect themselves and their loved ones against scams and other forms of abuse

• Create a portal on the District Attorney’s website where residents can report scams, learn about current scams, receive training to protect themselves from scams and sign up for Consumer Alerts

• Issue real-time Consumer Alerts to notify the community about the latest scams