Fighting Elder Financial Abuse: Legal Help for New Jersey Seniors Facing Scams and Medical Debt
June 2, 2025
Authored by: Adaneka Witter Judge
This article is made possible by the generous support from Taylor Tufano at 9Sail.
Adaneka Witter Judge
What should be a time of rest and enjoyment is increasingly becoming a battle to safeguard dignity and financial security for many older adults in New Jersey. For a growing number of New Jersey seniors, their golden years are dimmed by financial abuse and overwhelming medical debt. This troubling trend is growing urgent with New Jersey residents, aged 65 and older, projected to make up roughly 20% of the state’s population by 2030. Continue reading this article to learn how to recognize the signs of elder financial abuse, understand what to do if you or an older adult you love is affected, and explore the legal resources available to our aging population.
What is Elder Financial Abuse
Elder financial abuse is the illegal taking or improper use of an older adult’s money or assets for the personal gain of someone else. Elder financial abuse is the fastest growing form of abuse that deprives older adults of not only their financial resource but their independence. This abuse is often carried out by someone the victim knows and trusts, but can also be perpetrated by scammers. Scammers frequently target older adults with false claims related to Social Security, the Internal Revenue Services (IRS), Medicare, or fabricated emergencies involving family members. Understanding elder financial abuse is the first step to prevention.
Common Types of Elder Financial Abuse in New Jersey
Recognizing elder financial abuse can be difficult, especially if the abuser is someone close to the victim. There are common types of scams and warning signs that New Jersey older adults and their families should be aware of:
•Misuse of a power of attorney by a relative or caregiver to withdraw funds for personal benefit or to coerce the older adult into transferring assets.
•Telemarketing scams that pressure seniors with sales tactics for unnecessary services.
•Unusual bank activity such as unexplained withdrawals or new joint bank accounts with unfamiliar names.
•Unexpected revisions to wills, powers of attorney, or beneficiary designations.
Combatting elder financial abuse requires vigilance. Recognizing these warning signs can make the difference between prevention and irreversible loss. It is crucial to maintain oversight of financial statements and legal documents, and to consult with a professional when concerns arise. Don’t ignore the red flags!
The Hidden Toll of Medical Debt That Seniors and Their Families Encounter
Medical debt is another major concern for New Jersey residents. According to recent reports, nearly 11% of New Jersey families have reported medical debt exceeding $10,000, despite having some form of health insurance. Many reported incurring this debt because their insurance would not cover needed services. As a result, some seniors delay or avoid medical care altogether due to the fear of overwhelming medical debt. Adding to this crisis, about 40% of those dealing with medical debt reported not being aware of their legal rights regarding debt collection or resources such as hospital financial assistance programs for hospital-related debt. In response, New Jersey has partnered with organizations like Undue Medical Debt to increase awareness and access to financial assistance. Seniors, if you are facing medical debt, there are legal remedies and supportive services available to you.
Resources and How to Get Help If You’ve Fallen Victim to Elder Financial Abuse
Taking immediate action is essential if you suspect that you, or an older adult in your life, have fallen victim to elder financial abuse. You can report suspected abuse to an organization aimed at identifying and responding to elder financial abuse.
Adult Protective Services (APS) offices are available in every New Jersey county. APS investigates reports of financial abuse of vulnerable adults. Concerned older adults or family members can report suspected abuse anonymously.
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) offers education and assistance related to fraud and financial scams targeting the elderly. The Division’s Anti-Fraud Toolkit provides a variety of documents containing information to assist older adults with recognizing and avoiding scam.
If a crime of theft or fraud has already been committed, contact your local law enforcement to file a report.
VLJ’s Role in Protecting New Jersey’s Seniors From Financial Abuse
At Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ), we are committed to and play an active role in supporting New Jersey’s older adults through our legal programs. For older adults seeking legal help with civil lawsuits for medical debt collection cases in the Special Civil Court, VLJ is here to help. For older adults who are veterans and require assistance with a power of attorney or will, VLJ is here to help. You can apply for VLJ’s services online at www.vljnj.org/get-help or call us at (973) 645-1955.
You are not alone and we are here to help!
