In June 2026, the federal government adopted a new, government-wide strategy to protect older adults, called the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan. It is a policy document, which does not sound like family news. But underneath it are a few things that are genuinely useful to know if you love an older adult, including one simple rule that stops a common scam cold.
Quick Answer
The Federal Elder Justice Action Plan is a government-wide strategy adopted in June 2026 to protect older adults from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. It coordinates seventeen federal agencies to prevent harm, strengthen enforcement, and make help easier to find. For families, the practical takeaways are knowing the warning signs and where to report a concern.
What the plan actually does
The plan was adopted by the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, a group that brings together seventeen federal departments and agencies, coordinated by the Administration for Community Living. It builds on a set of recommendations first issued in 2014, and its aim is to get those agencies working from the same playbook: to prevent harm, disrupt financial exploitation, hold offenders accountable, and make help easier for older adults and families to find.
The scale it is responding to is real. Federal officials estimate that scammers steal roughly $28 billion from older Americans each year, and research suggests about 1 in 10 older adults experiences some form of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The plan is not a cure for that. It is an attempt to make the federal response more coordinated, and to push resources and awareness out to the people who need them.
The one rule worth memorizing
Alongside the plan, the government launched a public awareness campaign called Never EVER, aimed squarely at the imposter scams that drain older adults’ savings. It comes down to a single, memorable rule, and it is worth saying out loud at a family gathering.
The one rule to remember
No government agency will ever call and tell you to move your money to keep it safe. That is always a sca
m. Real agencies do not call out of the blue demanding money, gift cards, or a transfer to a “safe account.”</ p>
That one sentence defuses a whole category of fraud, because nearly every government imposter scam eventually asks the target to move or send money to protect it. If a call heads in that direction, it is a scam, no matter how official the caller sounds or how urgent they make it feel.
The warning signs of elder abuse
Elder abuse is not only financial, and it is widely under-reported, often because the person experiencing it feels ashamed or is being isolated by the very person causing harm. Knowing what to look for is the first practical step.
Signs worth paying attention to
- ✓ Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries, or a caregiver who will not leave the person alone with others
- ✓ Sudden changes in finances, missing money, or new names added to accounts or documents
- ✓ Withdrawal from normal activities, or a marked change in mood or alertness
- ✓ Poor hygiene, weight loss, unfilled prescriptions, or an unsafe or unclean living situation
- ✓ Fear or anxiety around a particular person, or being kept from speaking privately
How to report a concern
If something feels wrong, you do not need proof to raise it, and you will not get anyone in trouble by asking for a wellbeing check. Here is where to turn.
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
- To report suspected elder fraud, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311, staffed Monday to Friday. Trained case managers can guide you through the next steps.
- For suspected abuse or neglect of an older adult, contact Adult Protective Services in the person’s state. The Eldercare Locator can connect you to the right local office.
- If money has already been sent, contact the bank, wire service, or gift card company immediately, then report it, since speed can sometimes help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report elder abuse?
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected elder fraud, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311. For suspected abuse or neglect, contact Adult Protective Services in the person’s state, which the Eldercare Locator can help you find. You do not need proof to raise a concern.
What is the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan?
It is a government-wide strategy adopted in June 2026 to protect older adults from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. Coordinated by the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, it aligns seventeen federal agencies to prevent harm, strengthen enforcement, and make help easier for families to find.
What is the Never EVER campaign?
Never EVER is a national awareness campaign launched alongside the 2026 action plan to help people recognize and avoid government and business imposter scams. Its central rule is simple: no government agency will ever call and tell you to move your money to keep it safe. That is always a scam.
What are the warning signs of elder abuse?
They include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in finances or accounts, withdrawal from usual activities, poor hygiene or weight loss, and fear or anxiety around a particular person. A caregiver who will not allow the older adult to be alone with others is another common sign.
What number do I call to report elder fraud?
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is 833-372-8311, staffed Monday to Friday. Trained case managers can help you report the fraud and guide you through what to do next, including contacting other agencies if needed.
How common is elder abuse?
Research suggests about 1 in 10 older adults experiences some form of abuse, neglect or exploitation, and federal officials estimate scammers steal roughly $28 billion from older Americans each year. Both figures are widely believed to understate the true scale, because so much goes unreported.
What should I do if my parent already sent money to a scammer?
Act quickly. Contact the bank, wire service, or gift card company right away and tell them it was a scam, since speed can sometimes help. Then report it to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311. And do not blame the person, because shame is what keeps these scams hidden.
Know the signs, know where to turn
The most protective thing a family can do is stay close and stay aware. Our caregiver’s guide walks through how to check in, spot changes early, and support an older adult’s safety and independence.
