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Resources for Fighting Elder Abuse and Fraud

Fraud against seniors and elder abuse can take many forms. The resources below can help you or someone you care about avoid being taken advantage of.

Additional information on reporting elder abuse is also available on this website.

Fraudulent of Unwanted Mail or Telemarketing Solicitations

The resources below may be helpful in preventing fraud through telemarketing, unfair business practices, mailed solicitations or in preventing identity theft:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC can be reached by telephone at (877) 382-4357 or (877) 322-8228.
  
  
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This service can be reached by phone at (800) 372-8347 or (888) 877-7644.
  
  
• To have your name removed from marketing lists, contact the Do Not Call Registry or call them at (888) 382-1222.

• To have your name removed from lists offering unsolicited credit card or insurance offers, contact OptOutPrescreen.com the consumer credit reporting industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to opt-in or opt-out of firm offers of credit or insurance. They can be reached by telephone at (888) 567-8688.

Health Care Issues or Possible Fraud

The following resources may be helpful in dealing with issues or potential fraud relating to health or health insurance:

• TIPS Hotline for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the Inspector General. They can be reached by calling (800) 447-8477 or emailing HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov.

• Bureau of MediCal Fraud and Elder Abuse of the California Department of Justice. The Bureau can be reached at (800) 722-0432. The California Department of Health Services can be reached at (800) 822-6222

• To check the license of a doctor, dentist, nurse or many other types of health care professionals, contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs or call them at (800) 952-5210.

• California Health Advocates (HICAP)
  offers counseling on Medicare and health issues. Their telephone number is (800) 434-0222.

• Center for Health Care Rights (CHCR)
  dedicates to assuring consumer access to quality health care through information, education, counseling, advocacy and research programs. Their toll-free number is (800) 824-0780 (Los Angeles County) or (213) 383-4519. Their email address is center@healthcarerights.org.

• For insurance concerns, contact the California Department of Insurance The Consumer Assistance phone number is (800) 927-04357. The Fraud Division can be reached at (323) 278-5000.

• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Older Adult Services - Genesis has resources for dealing with hoarding and other mental health concerns affecting the elderly. Their telephone number is (800) 854-7771.

Elder Law Resources

Elder law is a growing and increasingly complex area. The resources below offer help in stopping or preventing elder abuse and in dealing with other legal issues affecting seniors:

• Los Angeles City Attorney's Office has an Elder Abuse Hotline that can be reached at (877) 477-3646.

• Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has an Elder Abuse Unit that can be reached at (213) 974-3783; an Elder Abuse Section that can be reached at (213) 580-3383; and a Victim-Witness Assistance program that can be reached at (213) 974-7499.

• Bet Tzedek Legal Services can be reached at (323) 939-0506.

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles can be reached at (800) 399-4529.

• California State Attorney General can be reached at (800) 952-5225.

• State Bar of California has a "Seniors & The Law" section that can be reached by email at seniors@calbar.ca.gov

Financial and Credit Card Issues and Fraud

The resources below offer help in dealing with fraud and other issues related to Social Security, credit cards and selecting financial advisers:

• Social Security Administration has a Fraud Hotline at (800) 269-0271.

• California Department of Corporations can address concerns about investment and financial advisers (securities brokers and agents, investment advisers and financial planners); finance lenders and brokers offering loans; bill payers; check sellers; proraters (consumer credit counselors, mortgage lenders and servicers); and escrow agents. Their phone number is (866) 275-2677.
  

• County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs address issues that include elder abuse, independence and safety at home, fraud, scams and identity theft. Their phone number is (213) 974-9778.

• Get your FREE annual credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com or (877) 322-8228.
  Credit card fraud should be reported to the credit reporting companies: Experian at (888) 397-3742; Equifax at (800) 525-6285; and TransUnion at (800) 680-7289.

Doing Business Wisely

It is all too easy to be taken in by people who appear -- and claim to be -- something that they are not. The following resources can help verify claims made by people asking for your business:

• California Public Utilities Commission addresses complaints about utility companies. They can be reached at (800) 649-7570.

• California State Contractors Licensing Bureau can address concerns regarding licensed and unlicensed contractors as well as schemes and scams offered by people claiming to be contractors. They can be reached at (800) 321-2751.

• Better Business Bureau of the Southland can help you check to see what the complaint history is on various businesses. Their Customer Service number is (909) 835-6064.