Working Together, Fighting for Seniors

I often hear from Oregonians who care for aging parents while balancing work responsibilities and raising their children. One of the challenges they face is protecting a loved one from scams. As a former consumer protection attorney, I know that people with bad intentions frequently take advantage of older Americans.

In Congress I serve as a leader of the bipartisan Elder Justice Caucus, where I am fighting to help victims of fraud, hold scammers accountable, and recover stolen money for our seniors. 

Resources are available to you and your family if you need help. A call to my Beaverton office is a great place to start: 503-469-6010. You can also email me here. Below are some helpful websites and telephone numbers for organizations that can help you and your family.

Resources for Seniors and Families:

• Call Oregon’s Safeline to report abuse from anywhere in Oregon: 1-855-503 SAFE (7233).
• Oregon Department of Human Services has resources for how to report abuse and neglect.  
• Aging and Disability Resource Connection can help Oregonians find local resources and supports: 1-855-ORE-ADRC (673-2372).
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has lots of information on how to recognize, prevent, and report fraud and scams, or call 855-411-2372 for assistance.
• The Oregon Consumer Guide to Assisted Living and Residential Care Facilities may be helpful if you are choosing an assisted living or residential facility.
• To check the licensing status of a nursing home, assisted living, or residential care facility, use this tool from the Oregon Department of Human Services.
• If you suspect a scam or fraud is taking place, including Medicaid fraud, you can file a complaint or report about a business, charity, non-profit, or individual with the Oregon Department of Justice or call 877-877-9392 for assistance.
• If you suspect that a Representative Payee is misusing or abusing Social Security benefits, you can learn more and file a report here.
• If you suspect Medicare fraud, you can learn more and file a report with the Senior Medicare Patrol.
• If you suspect fraud in the construction industry, you can learn more and file a report with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board or call 503-934-2247 for help.
• If you suspect fraud in insurance or financial services, you can file a complaint with the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services or call 888-877-4894 (toll-free) for help.

Keeping seniors safe is about more than just protecting people from fraud. As your representative, I am also working to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. These programs are earned benefits that help seniors live their lives with dignity. And because expensive prescription drugs are often a barrier to staying healthy, I am fighting to lower costs by supporting a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate for better prices.