Honoring

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Building Strong Support for Elders

Join us each year in June to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Events 2025

This webinar is a recording of the 2025 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Virtual Event, hosted by the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA). Held in June 2025, it brings together experts, advocates, and community members to:

Highlight the scope and impact of elder abuse, including financial exploitation, neglect, and emotional harm.
Share data and trends gleaned from Adult Protective Services casework nationwide.
Present best practices and innovative strategies for prevention, detection, and intervention.
Showcase programs and collaborations that have effectively supported at-risk elders.
Offer resources and next steps for professionals, caregivers, and community members aiming to strengthen elder protection efforts.

Throughout the session, panelists emphasize a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach—connecting law enforcement, health care providers, legal advocates, and social services to build a robust support network.

If you’re looking to stay current on coordinated efforts in elder protection, this webinar is a strong resource with timely insights and actionable guidance geared toward anyone working with or caring for older adults.

WEAAD 2025 Virtual Event Recap

Thank you to all who joined us for this year’s impactful World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) event! Together, we spotlighted the essential work of Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals and the collective responsibility to prevent elder abuse across communities.

This year’s virtual gathering featured meaningful dialogue, powerful storytelling, and tangible next steps that we can all take to strengthen protection for older and vulnerable adults.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps:

Heroes of Adult Protection: Joe Applebaum is seeking additional funding partners to help distribute and promote the upcoming docuseries highlighting the important work of APS and ALLIED professionals. He can be reached at https://www.theclowdergroup.com/heroes-of-adult-protection
Policy Advocacy: NAPSA members are encouraged to reach out to their congressional representatives to advocate for APS funding. Helpful tools and language can be found on the NAPSA website.
Investigation Tools: APS professionals were reminded to utilize evidence-based tools like the ⁠California Undue Influence Screening Tool and the ⁠Financial Exploitation Investigation Suite of Tools.
Certifications & Growth: Consider becoming a ⁠Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) to deepen your expertise in financial exploitation cases.
Training Support: APS agencies may be able to use their remaining ARPA funds to support professional training and certifications.
Stay Connected: Check out NAPSA’s LinkedIn and Facebook pages for recent media coverage and community updates.
Upcoming Learning: Don’t miss the July 30th webinar focused on APS recruitment and retention strategies.
Let’s Meet in Bellevue: Make plans to attend the 2025 NAPSA Conference in Bellevue, WA! Learn more here.

We’re deeply grateful to our speakers, panelists, and attendees for your dedication and energy. If you missed the event or want to rewatch key moments, view the recording ⁠here (https://youtu.be/4cWCyY6cTog?si=9YFKK3bx09uubcdo).

Together, we are making a difference.

Protecting Senior Investors from Financial Exploitation: A Recap of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Webinar

Key Takeaways and Next Steps:

Podcast Summary: SIFMA’s latest episode highlights key takeaways from the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day webinar, focusing on protecting senior investors from financial exploitation. Listen here.

The SIFMA podcast recaps a webinar held on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, focusing on the urgent need to protect senior investors from financial exploitation. Experts from SIFMA and NAPSA discuss rising fraud tactics, the importance of cross-sector collaboration, and tools like HelpVul and BankSafe that support prevention and reporting. The episode underscores the shared responsibility of financial institutions, regulators, and communities in safeguarding vulnerable adults.

Why This Issue Matters: Older adults are increasingly targeted by sophisticated financial scams, often resulting in devastating losses. As the population ages, protecting senior investors is not just a regulatory concern—it’s a moral and societal imperative.

SIMFA’s Role:
- Leadership & Advocacy: SIFMA, represented by President & CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr. and Lisa Bleier, emphasized its long-standing commitment to senior investor protection through legislative and regulatory advocacy.
- Education & Resources: SIFMA provides training, toolkits, and best practices to financial professionals to help them detect, prevent, and report elder financial exploitation.
- Technology & Innovation: SIFMA co-developed the HelpVul platform, a secure, standardized reporting tool that connects financial institutions with APS and regulators to streamline intervention and case management.
NAPSA’s Role:
- Co-hosted the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day webinar with SIFMA, highlighting the growing threat of financial abuse targeting older adults.
- Advocated for stronger collaboration between APS, financial institutions, and regulators to improve prevention, detection, and reporting.
- Highlighted tools and best practices that APS professionals and financial firms can use to protect vulnerable adults, including the importance of training and streamlined communication platforms.
- “Adult Protective Services professionals are on the front lines every day, responding to complex cases of financial exploitation. Our collaboration with financial institutions is critical to identifying red flags early and ensuring seniors receive the protection and support they deserve.” – Jennifer Spoeri (NAPSA)
Podcast Highlights:
- Guest Experts: Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr. (SIFMA), Lisa Bleier (SIFMA), and Jennifer Spoeri (NAPSA) share insights.
- Fraud Trends: Discussion of how scammers are using AI, social engineering, and digital platforms to exploit seniors.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Emphasis on the need for coordination between financial firms, APS, and regulators.
- Real-World Tools: Introduction of platforms like HelpVul and training programs like AARP’s BankSafe.
- Policy Focus: Advocacy for stronger protections and reporting mechanisms for vulnerable investors.
Key Takeaways
1. Rising Threats: Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including AI and digital platforms, to exploit senior investors.
2. Collaborative Solutions: Financial institutions, regulators, and Adult Protective Services must work together to detect and prevent exploitation.
3. Practical Tools: Resources like HelpVul and AARP’s BankSafe training help streamline reporting and empower frontline professionals.
4. Policy Advocacy: Continued support for stronger regulations and proactive education is essential to protect vulnerable adults

Listen to the full conversation on The SIFMA Podcast—available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.

Explore related resources including the webinar replay and SIFMA’s Senior Investor Protection Toolkit on the SIFMA website.

Together, we are making a difference.

US Securities and Exchange Commission: 2025 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Virtual Event

This webinar focused on the growing threat of romance and relationship investment scams—particularly those involving cryptocurrency—and how to protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps:

🔐 Key Themes

Victim-Centered Fraud: Scams often start with fake relationships and escalate into fraudulent “investment opportunities.”
Crypto’s Role: Scammers direct victims to transfer real funds into fake crypto platforms or wallets. These sites often mimic legitimate dashboards.
Sophisticated Tactics: Criminals use AI, spoofed websites, pressure tactics, and emotional manipulation to gain trust.
Isolation & Vulnerability: Social isolation increases susceptibility. Scammers often isolate victims further to control them.
Hard to Recover Funds: Crypto transfers move fast and become harder to trace the longer they go unreported.

💡 Top Tips to Protect Yourself & Others

Pause Before Sending Money
Don’t act on urgency. Legit investments don’t pressure you.
Verify Everything
Double-check identities, websites, and payment addresses—even if they look real.
Talk to Loved Ones
Create open conversations before fraud happens. Avoid blame if someone’s been victimized.
Report Quickly
If scammed, report to IC3.gov, SEC.gov/TCR, or cryptofraud@secretservice.gov.
Stay Engaged
Combat isolation—encourage social activities, senior centers, and community groups.
Limit Access, Not Oversight
Assign trusted “view-only” financial contacts—not full control over funds.

🔗 Resources

Investor Scams Info: Investor.gov
Report Fraud: SEC.gov/TCR
Find APS Help: NAPSA “Get Help” Map

The History of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was first acknowledged at the United Nations in 2006 by Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks (August 5, 1929-February 2, 2024). She wanted to promote awareness of elder abuse and declared it “one of the most unrecognized, underreported, and unaddressed issues of our day.”

Each year on June 15, international policymakers, APS workers, advocates, financial service institutions, media, social services organizations, and individuals from all over the world come together to raise awareness and to help address a growing global problem.

A black and white photo of a woman with large, chunky glasses.

Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks

Previous Recordings of WEAAD Virtual Events

ABOUT NAPSA

The National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) is a national non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with members in all fifty states, D.C., and the territories. Formed in 1989, the goal of NAPSA is to provide Adult Protective Services (APS) programs a forum for sharing information, solving problems, and improving the quality of services for victims of elder and vulnerable adult mistreatment. Its mission is to strengthen the capacity of APS at the national, state, and local levels, to effectively and efficiently recognize, report, and respond to the needs of elders and adults with disabilities who are the victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and to prevent such abuse whenever possible.

NAPSA OFFICES

NAPSA (National Adult Protective Services Association)

Address:
1612 K Street NW #200
Washington, DC 20006

Phone:
(202) 370-6292

Hours:
9 am – 5 pm EST

Contact NAPSA

NAPSA AI Policy

MYNAPSA

Log In

Join Now | Lost Password?

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Events 2025

WEAAD 2025 Virtual Event Recap

Protecting Senior Investors from Financial Exploitation: A Recap of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Webinar

US Securities and Exchange Commission: 2025 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Virtual Event

🔐 Key Themes

💡 Top Tips to Protect Yourself & Others

🔗 Resources

The History of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

Previous Recordings of WEAAD Virtual Events

NAPSA WEAAD Global Summit 2025

NAPSA WEAAD Global Summit 2024

NAPSA WEAAD Global Summit 2023

NAPSA WEAAD Global Summit 2022

ABOUT NAPSA

NAPSA OFFICES

MYNAPSA

Log In

Washington

To Report a case in your area call:

Montana

To Report a case in your area call:

North Dakota

To Report a case in your area call:

Minnesota

To Report a case in your area call:

Wisconsin

To Report a case in your area call:

Iowa

To Report a case in your area call:

Missouri

To Report a case in your area call:

Illinois

To Report a case in your area call:

Indiana

To Report a case in your area call:

Ohio

To Report a case in your area call:

Pennsylvania

To Report a case in your area call:

New York

To Report a case in your area call:

Vermont

To Report a case in your area call:

Maine

To Report a case in your area call:

Texas

To Report a case in your area call:

New Mexico

To Report a case in your area call:

Arizona

To Report a case in your area call:

California

To Report a case in your area call:

Nevada

To Report a case in your area call:

Utah

To Report a case in your area call:

Colorado

To Report a case in your area call:

Kansas

To Report a case in your area call:

Oregon

To Report a case in your area call:

Idaho

To Report a case in your area call:

Wyoming

To Report a case in your area call:

Nebraska

To Report a case in your area call:

South Dakota

To Report a case in your area call:

Oklahoma

To Report a case in your area call:

Arkansas

To Report a case in your area call:

Louisiana

Are you concerned someone you love or care about may be the victim of abuse? Don’t be silent. Report it now. All calls are confidential.

To Report a case in your area call:

Mississippi