Best Elder Abuse & Protection in California — 14 resources

14 Resources

1. California: Report elder abuse or neglect — Free

Report elder abuse or neglect — operated by California — handles Adult Protective Services reporting, fraud prevention, scam alerts, and abuse intervention for residents 60+. The state agency page links to applications, FAQs, and local field offices. Open at no cost to California residents who qualify for the program. Worth contacting after spotting unexplained bank withdrawals, new "friends," missing belongings, or sudden POA changes. Anonymous reporting is allowed but limits APS's ability to follow...

Statewide · Varies · Visit Website

2. National Center on Elder Abuse — Free

NCEA — federally funded resource on preventing elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Banks now have safe harbors to refuse suspicious transactions on senior accounts; ask about elder financial protection at the branch. Scams targeting seniors stole over

billion in 2024 alone — IRS impersonation, grandparent scams, and romance scams lead the list. No cost to older...

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

3. NAPSA - Adult Protective Services — Free

National Adult Protective Services Association — find your state APS to report elder abuse. Relevant for hospital staff, banks, and care workers required by law to report suspected abuse — APS shields good-faith reporters. Online and phone reporting are both available; for life-threatening situations, call 911 first. Self-neglect (refusing food, hygiene, medical care) is the most common form of "abuse" — APS handles it when capacity is in question. Free of charge — no eligibility paperwork required to...

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

4. DOJ Elder Justice Initiative — Free

US Department of Justice resources on prosecuting elder abuse and financial fraud. A starting point for any senior, family member, or neighbor who suspects something is wrong but isn't sure what to do. Most reports lead to a home visit by an APS caseworker within 24-72 hours; emergency situations are prioritized. Self-neglect (refusing food, hygiene, medical care) is the most common form of "abuse" — APS handles it when capacity is in question. Free service; donations support but never gate access.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

5. AARP Fraud Watch Network — Free

Free helpline 1-877-908-3360 for fraud help. Scam alerts and prevention. Built for reporting suspected elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or financial scams targeting older adults. Adult Protective Services intake is confidential; reporters' names are not shared with the suspected abuser. AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline and the FTC's IdentityTheft.gov are practical resources before and after a scam. All services free of charge to qualifying seniors and family caregivers.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

6. FTC Consumer Information — Free

Federal Trade Commission scam alerts and consumer protection. Pass It On for older adults. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Anonymous reporting is allowed but limits APS's ability to follow up — leaving contact info helps the investigation. Most elder abuse is financial and most perpetrators are family members — adult children with substance abuse or gambling problems are the most common pattern. Free,...

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. FBI Elder Fraud — Free

FBI resources on common scams targeting seniors. Report fraud to ic3.gov. Built for reporting suspected elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or financial scams targeting older adults. Banks now have safe harbors to refuse suspicious transactions on senior accounts; ask about elder financial protection at the branch. Scams targeting seniors stole over billion in 2024 alone — IRS impersonation, grandparent scams, and romance scams lead the list. Open at no cost to California seniors and the families...

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker — Free

Report and search reported scams in your area to protect yourself and others. A starting point for any senior, family member, or neighbor who suspects something is wrong but isn't sure what to do. Adult Protective Services intake is confidential; reporters' names are not shared with the suspected abuser. Adult guardianship can be appointed by a court when capacity is gone; emergency guardianship is faster but temporary. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. National Consumers League Fraud — Free

Fraud.org — report telemarketing and internet scams to NCL. A starting point for any senior, family member, or neighbor who suspects something is wrong but isn't sure what to do. Adult Protective Services intake is confidential; reporters' names are not shared with the suspected abuser. Scams targeting seniors stole over billion in 2024 alone — IRS impersonation, grandparent scams, and romance scams lead the list. Free service; donations support but never gate access.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Identity Theft Resource Center — Free

Free help for identity theft victims and prevention information. A starting point for any senior, family member, or neighbor who suspects something is wrong but isn't sure what to do. Most reports lead to a home visit by an APS caseworker within 24-72 hours; emergency situations are prioritized. Most elder abuse is financial and most perpetrators are family members — adult children with substance abuse or gambling problems are the most common pattern. Free, confidential, and available to any...

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. CFPB Older Americans — Free

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office for Older Americans — financial protection. A starting point for any senior, family member, or neighbor who suspects something is wrong but isn't sure what to do. Banks now have safe harbors to refuse suspicious transactions on senior accounts; ask about elder financial protection at the branch. Scams targeting seniors stole over billion in 2024 alone — IRS impersonation, grandparent scams, and romance scams lead the list. Free service; donations support...

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. National Crime Prevention Council — Free

Tips and resources on preventing crime against seniors. McGruff the Crime Dog. Built for reporting suspected elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or financial scams targeting older adults. Most reports lead to a home visit by an APS caseworker within 24-72 hours; emergency situations are prioritized. Adult guardianship can be appointed by a court when capacity is gone; emergency guardianship is faster but temporary. No cost to older adults or the people helping them.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. California Adult Protective Services — Free

Report suspected elder abuse in California. Find your state APS via NAPSA. Built for reporting suspected elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or financial scams targeting older adults. Banks now have safe harbors to refuse suspicious transactions on senior accounts; ask about elder financial protection at the branch. Adult guardianship can be appointed by a court when capacity is gone; emergency guardianship is faster but temporary. Free, confidential, and available to any California resident who needs...

Statewide · Varies · Visit Website

14. California AARP Fraud Watch — Free

AARP fraud helpline 1-877-908-3360 — scam help available to all California residents. Useful for family members worried about a senior being isolated, controlled, or financially manipulated by a caregiver or relative. Anonymous reporting is allowed but limits APS's ability to follow up — leaving contact info helps the investigation. Self-neglect (refusing food, hygiene, medical care) is the most common form of "abuse" — APS handles it when capacity is in question. Free of charge — no eligibility...

Statewide · Varies · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many elder abuse & protection resources are in California?
Elders Corner tracks 14 elder abuse & protection resources for seniors and caregivers in California.
Are elder abuse & protection resources in California free?
14 of the 14 listed elder abuse & protection resources in California are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in California have elder abuse & protection resources?
Resources serve multiple cities and counties in California.
What are some examples of elder abuse & protection resources in California?
Featured entries include California: Report elder abuse or neglect, National Center on Elder Abuse, NAPSA - Adult Protective Services, DOJ Elder Justice Initiative, AARP Fraud Watch Network.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
0 of 14 California elder abuse & protection listings include phone numbers.