This week is National Consumer Protection Week, a time to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams. Legal Services Corporation’s most recent Justice Gap Report shared that consumer and finance is one of the most common types of civil legal problems experienced by low-income older adult households. Advocates working with older adults may be seeing an increased need for services related to scams and fraud, particularly as scams associated with COVID-19 have been on the rise, coupled with increased isolation experienced by older adults in the pandemic environment. 

The ACL Elder Justice Resource Centers are offering a webinar this week, Thursday, March 10^th, on Money Mule Scams: Tips for Prevention, Identification, and Trauma-Informed Assistance. Register and get more information.

Additional resources for advocates:

• Federal Trade Commission: National Consumer Protection Week Resources and Social Media Outreach
• NCLER Training: Protecting Older Adults against COVID-19 Related Scams and Obtaining Relief from Financial Distress (Webinar Recording & Chapter Summary)
• NCLER Training: Defending Older Adults from Home Equity Theft, “We Buy Houses” and Foreclosure Rescue Scams (Webinar Recording & Chapter Summary)
• NCLER Training: Using Consumer Law to Help Survivors of Elder Abuse (Webinar Recording & Chapter Summary)
• NCLER Training: Using Consumer Law to Protect Nursing Facility Residents (Webinar Recording & Chapter Summary)
• National Consumer Law Center: Brochures for Advocates and Older Consumers
• National Center on Elder Abuse Scam Flyers: Looking for Love Flyer- Tips on How LGBT Older People Can Avoid the Sweetheart Scam, Tips for Avoiding Veterans Scams, and The Grandparent Scam.
• Federal Trade Commission Bulk Order Scam Brochures (free to order, including brochures in Spanish)