
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Jun. 8—Helping Ohio's seniors navigate the growing threat of financial exploitation
COLUMBUS — This year, older Ohioans are at risk of losing more than $60 million to scammers and fraudsters. In recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Month during June, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Securities and the Ohio Department of Aging are partnering to shine a spotlight on a growing issue involving the financial exploitation of older adults.
In 2024, the Division of Securities received 302 scam- and fraud-related complaints from older Ohioans, which was up 22% from the previous year's 247 complaints. In addition, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report, Ohio had the sixth largest volume of complaints in the country in 2023, with losses exceeding $64 million. Meanwhile AARP found that, nationwide, more than $28 billion is stolen from individuals over the age of 60 annually, with three-fourths of those losses involving individuals the victim knows.
In response to this alarming trend and the increased risk posed to older Ohioans, the Division is highlighting the warning signs of elder financial abuse to protect loved ones from becoming a statistic. These warning signs include:
Unexplained financial changes, such as large withdrawals or unexpected fund transfers.
Changes in banking practices, such as adding new names to accounts, or uncharacteristic attempts to wire money to unknown acquaintances.
Unpaid bills, sudden non-sufficient fund activity, and unexplained purchases or debts.
"Financial exploitation of the elderly is one of the most pervasive and heartbreaking issues we encounter at the Ohio Division of Securities," Securities Commissioner Andrea Seidt said. "The victims are often targeted by perpetrators who exploit their loneliness, trust, or lack of familiarity with modern technology. Recognizing the signs of this abuse is critical so we can protect our friends and loved ones from these crimes that carry devastating financial consequences."
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to a wide variety of schemes, including romance scams, tech support impersonations, and grandparent scams. Perpetrators often use mail, phone calls, and online communication to trick seniors into handing over money, personal information, or access to their financial accounts. Once a victim is targeted, the financial losses and emotional toll can be severe.
If you suspect either yourself or someone in your life has been the target of a financial scam, you should immediately contact the Ohio Division of Securities at 614-644-7381 or local law enforcement. In addition, the Division is highlighting the below resources for reporting fraud and securing assistance.
Additional Resources to Protect and Address Elder Financial Exploitation
—To report securities fraud, call the Division of Securities' Investor Protection Hotline at 877-683-7841.
—Ohio's Adult Protective Services Referral Line is available at 855-OHIO-APS (855-644-6277).
—The Ohio Attorney General's Elder Justice Unit can be reached at 800-282-0515.
—For concerns about abuse in nursing homes, contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 800-282-1206.
You Might Like
News
Man in cape, underwear breaks into West Portsmouth Dollar General
News
Proctorville woman killed in WV crash
News
Nearly $200K awarded in Healthy Communities grants to Lawrence groups by Pallottine Foundation
News
95-year-old woman killed in Pike County crash
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
State, federal cannabis changes threaten Ohio festival's future
WAVERLY, Ohio (WCMH) — Several thousand marijuana enthusiasts will descend upon Waverly next month for the second annual Stargazer Cannabis Festival. It may also be the last. 'We're very sad about that fact, and it would be very ironic that this festival was conceived out of a celebration for legalization, and then ironically, the law will make it illegal,' festival organizer Chad Thompson said. Dispensary reacts to Ohio marijuana limit changes Thompson is concerned about changes to cannabis laws in consideration at the state and federal level that would minimize or eliminate the three-day cannabis festival. Ohio lawmakers have weighed multiple changes to Ohio's recreational marijuana laws, which passed in 2023 with 57% of the vote. Federally, a provision currently included in the 'Big Beautiful Bill' would prohibit most products that use hemp-derived THC. Under the new federal proposal, the U.S. would redefine which hemp products are legal. Hemp was redefined in President Donald Trump's first term to mean cannabis that has minimal THC levels, 0.3% or lower. People have used this definition to synthetically manufacture cannabis products that are both legal and intoxicating. The budget draft would ban those hemp products, making ingestible hemp federally illegal again. 'There is an effort to eliminate that segment of the hemp market, which would really give a big hit to hemp businesses and us, as a cannabis festival, also would be greatly impacted by that,' Thompson said. 'It would take a big portion of our vendors and make them illegal.' Black bear spotted in Licking County for the first time in over two decades Thompson said changes to cannabis law would significantly harm Ohio's emerging marijuana industry, which is on track to be a $2 billion market. Among higher taxes and a decreased legal maximum THC level, legislators have also considered a ban on ingesting cannabis in public spaces, which would largely prevent the festival from taking place. Thompson said if the state changes cannabis laws, Stargazer Festival will have to consider relocating to a 'friendlier state,' taking its business with it. The festival will nearly double the population of Waverly for the weekend, and Thompson said visitors are coming from 35 states. 'This festival this year will cost us close to $200,000 to organize and put on, and that's all revenue that is being filtered in the state down through porta potties, tent rentals, local performers,' Thompson said. More than 400,000 Ohioans see driver's license suspensions lifted Thompson said he does not want to move the festival, saying it would be a 'sad day' if they had to leave their home state. Stargazer began as a celebration for Ohio activists after voters successfully legalized recreational marijuana. As part of the celebratory mission, many festival events involve giveaways for festival attendees, including a $1,000 bonus for five randomly selected cannabis judges and a giveaway dream cannabis wedding officiated by Afroman. Thompson said as this July 25-27 may be the last festival, people should get their tickets ahead of time, as they will likely be sold out at the door. He said he and other advocates are prepared to rally and adjust, but hope the laws will stay favorable. 'Even after legalization, the fight is not done to ensure the best possible cannabis laws on the books for the greater good of the people currently and into the future,' Thompson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Central Ohio mover claims Texas company stiffed him for work
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Some central Ohioans are raising the alarm about a Texas-based moving company, saying they didn't get paid for their work. Caddy Moving is based in Austin, Texas, but hires people all over the United States for moving jobs, including in Columbus. One man reached out to NBC4 Investigates after, he claims, the company did not pay him; NBC4 found dozens of complaints like his from central Ohio and beyond. The man who called NBC4 Investigates found a help-wanted ad on Craigslist looking to hire movers. He needed money for his kids. Multiple teenagers allegedly open fire at police officers near south Columbus park A long day of moving is hard enough, but what happened to this man, having to ask for his pay day after day, might be even harder. 'I don't think you should treat people that way,' Bruce Johnson, who did a job with Caddy Moving, said. Johnson got in touch with Caddy Moving. Texts show an understanding he was to be paid the day of the moving job, May 25, or at least within 24 hours. 'From my understanding that once the job was complete and they speak to the homeowners and then we'll be paid right after,' Johnson said. Final full moon of Spring, the 'Strawberry Moon,' glows over central Ohio Texts Johnson shared show he worked the job, moving someone into a home in Hilliard, but he did not get paid that day, like he was told. 'They keep saying we're going to pay you, and then I get a text at 1 in the morning saying, 'Hey, we sent you a pay,' then they didn't send the pay,' Johnson said. Then he got a text saying there was an issue with the payment system. 'Then I find their reviews,' Johnson said. NBC4 Investigates looked into Caddy Moving and found dozens of complaints just like Johnson's, across Google, the Better Business Bureau and Trust Pilot, a website that hosts reviews of businesses worldwide. Some read: 'Company is refusing to pay for labor,' 'This company does not pay what they're advertising on their website. After the work is complete and their customer is satisfied, they'll stop responding' and 'Promised that they'd pay me if I removed my Google review, and because I refused to remove it, they're still refusing to pay me.' Chemical leak at explosives manufacturing plant prompted evacuations in Vinton County 'I just felt bamboozled and just worried I wasn't going to get paid,' Johnson said. Caddy Moving responded to NBC4 Investigates on June 11. 'We had some issues with Venmo and PayPal recently,' Caddy Moving CEO Zach Richards said. 'We did have a couple of our systems actually get locked up on us and we worked through those with our guys. We actually launched a hotline for guys to reach out to.' Caddy Moving said that as a startup, it does not have everything figured out yet, but takes accountability for the payment issues. We asked about the reviews across the websites as well. 'As far as the Trustpilot, Yelp, we were not signed up on any of those platforms we don't monitor them so as you could imagine, those that have negative feedback to share they are going to go to those platforms, but we did not sign up on those platform,' Richards said. 'We don't have everything figured out. Of course. But no, we fully take accountability for having delays on payments.' Richards said those with complaints can reach out to him at zach@ or by calling the help line at 888-788-8542. More than 400,000 Ohioans see driver's license suspensions lifted under new law Caddy Moving is based out of Texas and NBC4 Investigates found the attorney general there has also received complaints. Johnson reached out to them and to NBC4 Investigates and finally, two and a half weeks after the job, he was paid the money he was owed, but said he knows others are still waiting. 'I just want to be done with them,' Johnson said. 'I hope they get it together and stop treating people like that.' Other reviews and those we have heard from are customers saying the company canceled last minute or movers stretched the time of the move and they had to pay more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Warrant Watch: Inside how U.S. Marshals arrest violent fugitives
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Warrant Watch is a partnership with NBC4 and the U.S. Marshals Service, highlighting violent fugitives in the community. On Wednesday, our team was there to see the Task Force arrest a criminal wanted for illegal discharge of a weapon into a dwelling. The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) searches for violent offenders and assists partner agencies in tracking those wanted suspects. Chemical leak at explosives manufacturing plant prompts evacuations in Vinton County The SOFAST team always makes sure to have its bases covered when executing warrants. Officers make sure to cover the front and back of the house and keep an eye on the top of the house because they never know where their intended target will pop out. The team was looking for Robert Liston. He was charged with illegal discharge of a weapon into a dwelling, harassment and death threats. After several minutes of trying to get Liston to come outside, he did not come out the front door. 'He's coming out the top. Hey, go back inside! He's running, He's running,' Deputy U.S. Marshal Kevin Deppe yelled at Liston. Liston tried running, but didn't make it far. He laid on the awning of the home he was at and within minutes, the team was inside the home and dragged him back through the window and into a cruiser. Liston was safely taken into custody after that. More than 400,000 Ohioans see driver's license suspensions lifted under new law 'There are times when people know that the game is up, the jig is up, and they come to the door and they surrender,' Deppe said. 'However, unfortunately, there are plenty of times where people do try to hide, they try to run, and sometimes they try to fight.' Deppe said that there was a chance Liston was likely armed, so when the intended target doesn't immediately surrender, the team may have to enter the home and get a suspect themselves. 'The scary part of these situations is that we are going into an unknown and the targets are in their known space, so they know all the little hidey holes,' Deppe said. 'They know what they can get away with. For us, we're going into an unknown situation. Our awareness and our level of threat is at maximum.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.