AG Paxton’s Office Participates In Largest Coordinated Sweep Of Elder Fraud Cases In U.S. History

“Today’s action is one of many steps my office has taken in the fight to protecting elderly Texans whose financial well-being is compromised by nefarious characters.”

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office joined the U.S. Department of Justice and National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) in the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. The multi-state actions charged a variety of fraud schemes, ranging from mass mailing, telemarketing and investment frauds to individual incidences of identity theft and theft by guardians.

“Anyone can be a victim of fraud, but senior citizens are targeted more often by scammers seeking to exploit someone for a quick buck,” Attorney General Paxton said. “Today’s action is one of many steps my office has taken in the fight to protecting elderly Texans whose financial well-being is compromised by nefarious characters.”

NAAG President and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said, “As attorneys general, working together to combat elder abuse and protect seniors from fraud and exploitation remains a critical priority. I commend Attorney General Paxton for his commitment to protecting Texas seniors and am grateful for his participation in this coordinated federal-state effort.”

According to a U.S. Census Bureau study, the number of Americans ages 65 and older has grown from 5 million to 40 million between the years 1900 and 2010. The same study estimates that over 12 percent of Texans are senior citizens. Every senior citizen deserves to be protected from fraud, abuse, and exploitation, as do all Americans. Texas is taking steps towards implementing that protection.

Since June 2017, NAAG’s presidential initiative has been “Protecting America’s Seniors: Attorneys General United Against Elder Abuse.” It is an ongoing, concentrated effort working with attorneys general around the country to help all states gather expertise and build capacity to fight elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Texas is joined in this coalition by the U.S. Department of Justice, Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota.

Find more information about scams that can affect Texas seniors on our website here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/seniors/senior-texans-page.