Background
A member of the FaceBook group “ALS – Patient and Caregiver tips for every day living” who has ALS, posted in late 2025 that her former friend (no longer) and case manager (no longer) stole from her ALS fundraiser over a long period of time, beginning just days after her ALS diagnosis. This crook continued to steal donations and hid the money in another person’s account. The crook was charged with Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult — a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The person writing this post said if you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult with ALS (or any other disease or incapacitating condition for that matter), you are a mandatory reporter. You don’t need proof — that’s not your job. It’s your duty to report concerns to protect the victim. Report to your local police department or Department of Family Services.
If you’re unsure or overwhelmed, ask for a victim advocate to help guide you.
Categories of Adult Exploitation and Abuse
There are many websites that cover vulnerable adult victims. Ascertain which of the following categories the victim is in before you contact authorities:
- Civil Financial Exploitation;
- Criminal Financial Exploitation;
- Civil Elder Abuse;
- Criminal Elder Abuse
Websites
I’ve given below some websites that you can go to for help if you or any vulnerable adult has been victimized. Make sure the website covers the victim’s situation, because these websites are federal, some are state-specific, some are dot-orgs, and some are dot-coms (like law firms).
Federal Bureau of Investigation
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services
The Victim Services Division (VSD) informs, supports, and assists victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.
VSD is responsible for ensuring that victims of crimes investigated by the FBI are given the opportunity to receive services and notification as required by federal law and the Attorney General Guidelines on Victim and Witness Assistance.
Victim Support Services
(This website is only for parts of Washington State, but the information is useful to victims when they go to the appropriate authorities).
https://victimsupportservices.org/help-for-victims/what-is-a-victim-advocate/
What Does A Victim Advocate Do?
“Victim advocates are trained to support victims of crime. They offer emotional support, victims’ rights information, help in finding needed resources and assistance in filling out crime victim related forms. Our advocates frequently accompany victims and their family members through the criminal justice proceedings. Advocates work with other organizations, such as criminal justice or social service agencies, to get help or information for the victims we serve. Our advocates staff the statewide crisis hotline. Victim advocates’ responsibilities vary depending on the situation.”
Department of Justice
https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/prosecutors/statutes
“The federal government, states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia all have laws designed to protect older adults from elder abuse and guide the practice of adult protective services agencies, law enforcement agencies, and others. These laws vary considerably from state to state.”
This site has two dropdown menus:
- The first one is to select your state.
- The second one is to select the category of abuse:
- Civil Financial Exploitation;
- Criminal Financial Exploitation;
- Civil Elder Abuse;
- Criminal Elder Abuse
National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA)
https://www.napsa-now.org/financial-exploitation/
“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.”
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
“Reporting elder financial abuse
Help for family and friends of people living in nursing homes and assisted living communities”
