The C.A.R.E. Program District Coordinators provide support and assistance to victims of consumer fraud by working with the regulatory agencies, Law Enforcement, and the court system. The C.A.R.E. Program is the only specialized unit of Adult Protective Services in the State to provide this advocacy. The C.A.R.E. Program Coordinators may meet with clients, help sort through documents, contact resources, help write letters and fill out forms, and provide general support through stressful times. The goal of this advocacy is to guard or regain seniors’ assets, preserve their dignity, protect their privacy, and provide support and assistance throughout the process.
As of August 2011, the C.A.R.E. Program has served 6,705 victims of fraud, and reported 1,478 cases of abuse and neglect to Adult Protective Services.
--- WHEN TRUST IS A WEAPON
25 page fraud information booklet (English).
35 page fraud information booklet (Spanish).
--- CASE EXAMPLES
This document illustrates some of the tactics the C.A.R.E. Program uses to combat fraud and abuse.
Alzheimer’s Association http://www.alz.org/
Better Business Bureau http://www.bbb.org/
Bureau of Automotive Repairs http://www.bar.ca.gov/
California Contractors State Licensing Board http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
California Department of Corporations http://www.corp.ca.gov/
California Department of Insurance http://www.insurance.ca.gov/
California Office of the Attorney General http://caag.state.ca.us/
California State Department of Consumer Affairs http://www.dca.ca.gov/
Equifax Credit Reporting http://www.equifax.com/
Experian Credit Reporting http://www.experian.com/
Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/
FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) http://www.finra.org/
HICAP, the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program http://www.cahealthadvocates.org/HICAP/index.html
Inland Counties Legal Services http://www.inlandlegal.org/
Medical Board of California http://www.medbd.ca.gov/
Securities and Exchange Commission http://www.sec.gov
TransUnion Credit Reporting http://www.transunion.com