How to Report Elder Abuse & Get Free Legal Help (2025)

How to Report Elder Abuse & Get Free Legal Help (2025)

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Disclaimer: This guide is educational, not legal advice. If you’re in danger, call 911. For legal decisions, speak with a licensed attorney or your local Legal Aid office. lsc.gov

If you suspect elder abuse—at home, online, or in a care facility—the fastest way to help is to report it now. This guide shows exactly who to call, what to write down, and how to get free legal help to protect an older adult’s safety, money, and rights—today and over the long run. HHS.gov+1

Start here—Is it abuse & who to call right now?

What elder abuse means. Abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect. It’s an act—or failure to act—that causes harm or risk of harm to someone 60+, often by a caregiver or trusted person. CDC

Step 1: If anyone is in immediate danger → call 911. Police can respond, remove a threat, and coordinate with APS or prosecutors. Don’t wait. HHS.gov

Step 2: If it’s not an emergency, report to the right program:

  • Home/community setting: Call Adult Protective Services (APS) in your state. If you don’t know the number, call the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) for a warm transfer. Source: ACL/Eldercare Locator, last checked: Sept 14, 2025. eldercare.acl.gov
  • Nursing home/assisted living: Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for resident advocacy and (for nursing homes) file a complaint with your State Survey Agency (health department) that enforces federal standards. ACL Administration for Community Living+1

Bottom line: Emergency = 911. Otherwise, APS for abuse at home, Ombudsman + State Survey for facilities. If you’re unsure, call Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) and they’ll route you. Source: ACL, last checked: Sept 14, 2025. eldercare.acl.gov

How to report elder abuse—by setting

A) Home or community

  • Who handles it: Adult Protective Services (APS) in every state. APS investigates maltreatment of older adults and adults with disabilities, offers safety planning, and connects to services. Services are generally voluntary; people can decline unless a court orders otherwise in narrow circumstances. ACL Administration for Community Living+1
  • How to reach them: Use your state APS line, or call Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) to be connected. Source: ACL, last checked: Sept 14, 2025. eldercare.acl.gov
  • Confidentiality: APS case records are confidential; reporters typically don’t receive detailed updates. In many states, you can report anonymously; ask when you call. pfs2.acl.gov

Bottom line: APS can investigate, safety-plan, and coordinate help while respecting an adult’s rights. ACL Administration for Community Living

B) Nursing homes and assisted living

  • Who handles it:
    • Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO)—free, confidential resident advocates who resolve complaints. ACL Administration for Community Living
    • State Survey Agency—regulators who investigate and enforce nursing home rules; they take formal complaints. CMS maintains a current state-by-state contact list. CMS
  • How to reach them: Call your local Ombudsman (via Eldercare Locator) and the State Survey Agency to open a regulatory complaint if care quality or safety is at issue. ACL Administration for Community Living+1

Bottom line: In facilities, call the Ombudsman for advocacy and the State Survey Agency to trigger a regulatory investigation. ACL Administration for Community Living+1

Financial scams & identity theft—where to report (and why multiple reports help)

  • Report consumer fraud/scams: FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov (online or phone). This creates data used to spot patterns and refer cases. ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • Elder financial exploitation (bank/brokerage):
    • Call your bank/credit union/card issuer immediately to freeze/flag accounts; institutions have guidance on responding to elder exploitation and can act fast. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
    • FINRA Securities Helpline for Seniors®: 844-57-HELPS (844-574-3577) for brokerage account concerns. Source: FINRA, last checked: Sept 14, 2025. FINRA
    • CFPB guides explain how and where to report elder financial abuse and how institutions may share information to protect older adults. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau+1
  • Online/cyber scams (tech support, romance, crypto, account takeovers): FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov). Early reporting can aid funds recovery. Internet Crime Complaint Center+1
  • Mail scams or theft: U.S. Postal Inspection Service (online or via hotline). United States Postal Inspection Service
  • State Attorney General consumer protection: Many AGs mediate consumer complaints and bring enforcement actions—file with your state AG. NAAG

Bottom line: File at least two reports for scams—FTC (nationwide trends) and the agency closest to the money (bank/FINRA/IC3/USPS)—to boost your chance of stopping losses and helping others. ReportFraud.ftc.gov+2FINRA+2

Health care & Medicare fraud

  • HHS-OIG Hotline (1-800-HHS-TIPS / 1-800-447-8477) and online complaint form for Medicare/Medicaid fraud. Office of Inspector General
  • Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)—free help to review statements and report fraud/errors; national line 877-808-2468 and online reporting. Senior Medicare Patrol+1

Bottom line: If you see odd Medicare charges, call SMP to sort it out and report to OIG for enforcement. Senior Medicare Patrol+1

  • APS investigation & services: APS receives the report, screens for urgency, and may visit, coordinate services, and safety-plan. Adults generally can accept or refuse services; APS should explain rights, privacy, and appeal options. ACL Administration for Community Living+1
  • Confidential records: APS case files are not public. Reporters usually won’t get case details, though you can ask whether a case was opened/closed depending on state law. pfs2.acl.gov
  • Mandatory reporters: Many states require certain professionals (e.g., clinicians, bank staff) to report suspected abuse; check your state rules when in doubt. napsa-now.org

Bottom line: Expect limited feedback (confidentiality rules), but know the adult’s autonomy is respected while safety risks are addressed. ACL Administration for Community Living

  • Legal Services Corporation (LSC) finder—civil legal aid by income/need in every state. Use the national lookup to find your local office. lsc.gov
  • Older Americans Act (OAA) legal assistance—Area Agencies on Aging fund legal help for adults 60+, even if income is modest; find your local AAA via Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116). ACL Administration for Community Living+1
  • LawHelp.org—state portals for legal information, forms, and referrals. lawhelp.org

How legal aid can help:

Bottom line: If cost is a barrier, start with LSC and AAA/OAA legal services—they exist to help older adults at little or no cost. lsc.gov+1

Comparison table—Who to contact by situation

SituationFirst callAlso report toWhy it matters
Immediate danger (violence, threats)911—Rapid response & safety. HHS.gov
Abuse/neglect at homeAPS (via state line or 1-800-677-1116 for referral)Local police if criminalAPS investigates & coordinates services. ACL Administration for Community Living+1
Nursing home/assisted living issueLong-Term Care OmbudsmanState Survey Agency (formal complaint)Advocacy + regulatory enforcement. ACL Administration for Community Living+1
Consumer scam/telemarketingFTC ReportFraud.ftc.govState Attorney GeneralTracking & enforcement/mediation. ReportFraud.ftc.gov+1
Online/cyber fraudFBI IC3.govBank/credit cardHelps fund-recovery efforts. Internet Crime Complaint Center
Brokerage/investment concernFINRA Senior Helpline 844-57-HELPSState securities regulatorFast guidance for seniors. FINRA
Medicare/Medicaid fraudHHS-OIG 1-800-HHS-TIPSSMP (877-808-2468)Enforcement + counseling. Office of Inspector General+1
Mail fraudU.S. Postal Inspection Service—Postal crime investigators. United States Postal Inspection Service

Phone sources last checked Sept 14, 2025.

60-second reporting checklist (print-ready)

  • Safety first: If danger is present, call 911. HHS.gov
  • Write down facts: Who/what/when/where, names, dates, times, locations.
  • Describe the harm: Injuries, missing money, unsafe conditions, threats—be specific.
  • Keep evidence: Photos (if safe), bank statements, messages, caller IDs, envelopes.
  • Healthcare/Medicare: Gather EOBs/Medicare statements; call SMP for help reading them. Senior Medicare Patrol+1
  • Scams/transactions: Contact your bank/credit card to freeze/flag accounts; change passwords; place credit freezes/fraud alerts as needed. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
  • Report to the right agency (see the table) and ask for a case/complaint number.
  • Follow up with legal aid (LSC/AAA) if you need protective orders, contract rescission, or to contest POA/guardianship misuse. lsc.gov+1

Bottom line: A clear timeline + documents + fast reporting to the correct agency speeds protection and recovery. ReportFraud.ftc.gov

What to expect when you file facility complaints

  • Ombudsman process: Tries to resolve issues with the resident’s consent and keeps identities confidential to the extent possible. ACL Administration for Community Living
  • State Survey investigations (nursing homes): Regulators triage complaints, investigate, and may cite deficiencies; CMS provides current state contacts. CMS

Bottom line: Use both channels: Ombudsman for resident-centered problem-solving and Survey Agency for enforcement when standards are violated. ACL Administration for Community Living

Extra resources (when the situation overlaps with family/intimate-partner violence)

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE) for safety planning and referrals, 24/7. The Hotline
  • VictimConnect (1-855-4-VICTIM) offers confidential referrals for any crime victim. Victim Connect Resource Center

Bottom line: Abuse can be complex. Pair abuse hotlines with APS and legal aid for full coverage. ACL Administration for Community Living

Sensitive facts & hotlines (source notes)

3–5 takeaways & next steps

Takeaways

  1. Emergency? 911. Otherwise, APS for home, Ombudsman + State Survey for facilities. HHS.gov+2ACL Administration for Community Living+2
  2. Scam? Report to FTC and IC3, and call your bank; consider FINRA Helpline for brokerage issues. ReportFraud.ftc.gov+2Internet Crime Complaint Center+2
  3. Medicare charges look wrong? Call SMP and report to HHS-OIG. Senior Medicare Patrol+1
  4. Legal help is available—start with LSC and AAA/OAA legal services via Eldercare Locator. lsc.gov+1

Next steps

  • Save dates, names, documents, and photos if safe.
  • Make the right report(s) using the table above and keep your case numbers.
  • Contact Legal Aid to discuss protective orders, financial recovery, and stopping POA/guardianship abuse. lsc.gov

FAQ Section

What qualifies as elder abuse—and who investigates?
Physical, emotional, sexual, financial exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect. APS investigates in home/community; Ombudsman/State Survey address facility issues. Call 911 for danger. CDC+2ACL Administration for Community Living+2

How do I report elder abuse if I don’t know my state’s APS number?
Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to be connected to APS or local resources. eldercare.acl.gov

Can I report elder abuse anonymously? Will I get updates?
Many states allow anonymous reporting. APS records are confidential, so you typically won’t receive detailed updates. pfs2.acl.gov

Who handles abuse in nursing homes or assisted living?
Contact your Long-Term Care Ombudsman and file a complaint with your State Survey Agency (find contacts on CMS). ACL Administration for Community Living+1

Where do I report elder financial scams?
File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, contact your bank immediately, consider FINRA’s Senior Helpline (investments), and submit online fraud to FBI IC3.gov. Internet Crime Complaint Center+3ReportFraud.ftc.gov+3Consumer Financial Protection Bureau+3

How do I report Medicare fraud?
Call HHS-OIG 1-800-HHS-TIPS and get free help from Senior Medicare Patrol (877-808-2468) to review statements. Office of Inspector General+1

Where can seniors get free or low-cost lawyers?
Use the LSC legal-aid finder, AAA/OAA legal services (via Eldercare Locator), and LawHelp.org for state resources/forms. lsc.gov+2ACL Administration for Community Living+2

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