Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit
The mission of the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit (“Unit”) is to protect New Hampshire’s adult residents aged 60 and older (“older adults”).
The Unit investigates and prosecutes crimes, including, but not limited to, abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, committed against older adults. The Unit also educates the public on topics affecting older adults, including the legal requirement that all New Hampshire residents report abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
To report a crime committed against an older adult to the Unit, please contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at: 1-888-468-4454, or (603) 271-3641.
Mandatory reporting requirements
In New Hampshire, any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or financially exploited must report that information. During business hours, reports must be made to the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (“BEAS”) at 1-800-949-0470. During non-business hours, including weekends, reports must be made to the police department in the town/city where the suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation occurred. Failure to make a report is a crime.
Law Enforcement Resources
The investigation and prosecution of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation crimes can be complicated. The Unit is a resource for law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of these cases. Law enforcement is encouraged to contact the Unit with any questions related to these investigations. Questions should be directed to Unit Investigator Calice Couchman-Ducey, at (603) 271-3658.
The Unit has also created a comprehensive field guide to assist law enforcement here.
Elder Abuse Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team (E-MDT)
Elder abuse cases are often complex and require the collaboration of multiple agencies. As a result, the Unit has implemented an E-MDT process. The E-MDT process brings together professionals from a variety of disciplines and systems whose mission is to restore the safety and security of older adults. The E-MDT approach provides improved and effective cross-system collaboration and specialized responses for financial exploitation, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect by others.
Professionals, particularly law enforcement, working with older adults who are unsure how to proceed in assessing or assisting older adult victims and their families can request a case consultation. To make a case referral, please contact:
Christa Clapp, Elder Abuse Program Specialist
Christa.G.Clapp@doj.nh.gov
Public Outreach and Education
To further the Unit’s mission, members of the Unit travel across the State to present on relevant topics. The Unit has presented to, among others, older adults in long-term care facilities, medical staff, employees of financial institutions, and lawyers. Presentations offered by the Unit include topics such as:
- Best practices to protect older adults from common scams;
- Mandatory abuse, neglect, and exploitation reporting requirements;
- Services available to older adult victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation;
- Elder case investigation techniques for law enforcement; and
- Relevant laws to assist financial institutions in combating financial exploitation.
To request a presentation by members of the Unit, please contact:
Christa Clapp, Elder Abuse Program Specialist
Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau
Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit
Christa.G.Clapp@doj.nh.gov | (603) 271-3658
Scams
Scammers use the mail, internet, and telephone to target older adults. These scams often involve deception and impersonation. For instance, scammers will call pretending to be from a government agency and request money or personal identifying information. A list of common scams can be found here.
If you have fallen victim to a scam, please contact your local police department immediately. You are also encouraged to report to the following agencies:
To protect yourself from falling victim to scams, the Unit encourages older adults to verify the identity of any caller, texter, or emailer prior to sending money or providing personal identifying information. Be wary of callers, texters, or e-mailers requesting funds in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Further, we encourage older adults to identify a trusted person who they can contact if they suspect a scammer is targeting them. More tips to prevent falling victim to scams can be found here.
Related Resources
- Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services
- National Center on Elder Abuse
- National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse: What is Elder Abuse?
- National Consumer League Fraud Center
- National Do Not Call Registry
- ServiceLink Resource Center
- Stay Connected NH -- New Hampshire Financial Abuse Specialty Team (FAST)
- US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living
What is Medicaid Fraud?
Examples of Medicaid Fraud:
- Billing for services not rendered: A provider bills Medicaid for a procedure or service that was not actually provided.
- Billing for upcoded services: A provider misrepresents the diagnosis and symptoms on patient records or selects higher paying procedure codes to obtain greater reimbursement than allowed.
- Billing for uncovered services: A provider bills Medicaid for a service that requires the use of licensed or certified personnel but uses unqualified staff.
- Drug substitution: A pharmacist fills a recipient's prescription with a generic drug, but bills Medicaid for a higher cost brand name drug.
- Kickbacks: A provider offers or pays a kickback to induce someone to refer Medicaid recipients to that provider as patients or clients. Examples of kickbacks include cash, vacations, and gifts.
- Supplemental Charges: A provider charges a Medicaid recipient for a service which is covered by Medicaid and should be billed to Medicaid, and then charges the recipient the difference between the provider's usual fee and what Medicaid pays.
- Inflating the Usual and Customary Charges: A provider charges Medicaid more than their usual and customary charge for the same product or service billed to other insurers and the public. A provider might inflate the cost of the procedure, service or goods provided.
What is Resident Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation?
Resident abuse or neglect is any action or failure to act that causes unjustifiable harm to a healthcare facility resident. It includes physically assaulting a resident as well as withholding necessary food, care, or medical treatment. The Unit investigates reports of abuse and neglect in any in-patient or residential healthcare setting, including hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
Resident financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of the funds or assets of a healthcare facility resident. It includes the misuse of personal funds held at the facility and may also include the misuse of funds by a resident's designated financial agent.