Attorney General Ashley Moody today announced Florida’s Senior Protection Team, an intra-agency group of experts working together to fight fraud and abuse. The team is comprised of leading members from the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, Consumer Protection Division and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Seniors v. Crime and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will also actively assist the team with investigations and outreach efforts.
The goal is to bring attorneys and investigators specialized in fighting civil, criminal and health care fraud together to develop strategies to protect Floridians 60 and older. The team is already meeting with experts and stakeholders across the state to develop aggressive ways to combat fraud against seniors.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This team of highly-skilled attorneys and investigators is laser focused on identifying, investigating and eliminating fraud and abuse harming Florida seniors. More than five million seniors call Florida home. Many of these great Americans have served our country and economy in countless ways. We owe it to them to make sure they can enjoy their golden years free from the threat of financial exploitation and physical abuse.”
Statewide Prosecutor Nick Cox is leading the Florida Attorney General’s Senior Protection Team. FDLE has committed to holding agents from regions across the state to aid the team in its efforts.
This team of experts is working together and consulting outside senior protection experts from law enforcement, other state agencies, and private advocates and stakeholders to focus on senior abuse; neglect; fraud; service related issues; long-term care; guardianship; law enforcement training; and educational outreach. The team will also work to identify emerging scams, spot trends and stay ahead of changes in technology used to prey on seniors.
For more information about how to tell if a senior may be a victim of financial fraud and how to guard against senior scams, click here.
Today’s announcement is part of Attorney General Ashley Moody’s week-long National Consumer Protection Week campaign. The Attorney General’s Office will make additional consumer protection related announcements this week.
To follow the campaign, and other Florida Attorney General news, follow Attorney General Moody, here and subscribe to the Week in Review, here.
