June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales is recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, encouraging all Hoosiers to be vigilant against elder financial abuse, exploitation, and scams.

“Respecting our senior citizens is a fundamental value. Unfortunately, some bad actors specifically target our most vulnerable citizens. My office is committed to protecting Hoosier seniors by offering tools and resources to help them and their families avoid these harmful scams,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.

The Indiana Securities Division, under Secretary Morales’ oversight, works year-round to educate the public about preventing elder abuse, particularly financial exploitation. As part of continual outreach efforts, the Indiana Securities Division is actively educating Hoosier senior citizens about financial safety through events held at churches, retirement homes and local civic organizations across the state. By learning how scams operate and understanding warning signs, Hoosiers can help safeguard their loved ones and communities.

Financial exploitation often targets older adults who may not be aware of the risks. Some key steps to help prevent abuse include:

• Naming a trusted contact on all financial accounts
• Shredding documents that contain personal information
• Recognizing common scam tactics such as threats of arrest or demands for payment via wire transfer, crypto ATMS, or gift cards—and hanging up immediately if contacted