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Home ▸ Departments ▸ Job and Family Services

Adult Protective Services

Report Suspected Child/Elder Abuse or Maltreatment
(Reportar sospecha de abuso o maltrato de niños/ancianos)
FAQ

This Department is mandated to investigate referrals involving vulnerable adults 60 years of age and older who live in the community and who are alleged to be abused, neglected or exploited. The assigned social worker is responsible for meeting with the client to assess the alleged concerns and linking that client to appropriate services within the community, including but not limited to home delivered meals, in-home care, probate court and financial assistance.

Maltreatment of seniors may be intentional or unintentional.  Some forms are the result of action or inaction on the part of the older adult themselves which leaves them at risk.  Often, older adults neglect themselves by refusing supportive services, not taking their medication, or living in an unsafe or unsanitary environment.  Caregivers may abuse, neglect, or exploit those for whom they provide care.

APS Goals

  • To prevent, reduce, or remedy conditions causing endangerment to the older adult.
  • To maximize the adult’s independence and self-determination.
  • To keep the adult safe in the least restrictive environment possible, or their own home.
  • To educate family members about available supportive services in the community and assist in linking families to service providers.

Scams and Elder Fraud

Look out for Scams

Scammers use a variety of tactics to make their offers seem legitimate. Their initial contact usually occurs by telephone, letters, door-to-door solicitations, fliers, e-mails Agencies and Resources and phony websites. They often try to convince consumers to send them money or give personal information, such as bank account numbers and Social Security numbers. Look out for the common signs of a scam listed below.

Signs of a Scam

  • You’ve won a contest you’ve never heard of.
  • You’re pressured to “act now!”
  • You have to pay a fee to receive your “prize.”
  • Your personal information is requested.
  • A large down-payment is requested.
  • The company refuses to provide written information.
  • The company has no physical address, only a P.O. Box.
  • They insist you pay in cash.

Research Businesses and Charities

Before doing business with a company, check its reputation with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. You also should ask family and friends for recommendations of businesses and charities. Never do business with a company that refuses to give you information in writing or one that refuses to give you a phone number, a physical address or references. Check with the Ohio Secretary of State to make sure a company is registered as a business in Ohio.

Read the Fine Print

Read all the terms and conditions of any agreement before you sign. Look for exclusions. Always get warranties in writing. Review contracts with a trusted attorney, friend or family member. Monitor your financial accounts. If a fraudulent charge appears on your bank statement, immediately notify your bank.

Remember Your Rights

Ohio consumer law protects you from unfair, deceptive and unconscionable practices in consumer transactions. For example, advertisements must list a sale’s exclusions and limitations, and a store must post its return policy, if it has one. In Ohio, it is illegal to charge a fee for a prize. If you’ve actually won something, you won’t need to send any money to get it.

Reconsider the purchase: Take your time before you make a decision. Never give personal information to someone you don’t know or trust, even in a contest. Ask companies how they will use your personal information and ask them not to sell your information. Don’t give in to high pressure sales tactics. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never sign anything you do not understand. Ask questions and demand answers

Report Fraud

If you have a problem with a purchase you made, notify the company in writing. Explain your complaint, the facts of the situation, the resolution you desire, and give a deadline for the resolution. If you suspect fraud or if you cannot resolve the problem on your own, file a complaint with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.