Program Doubles Down on Halting Financial Abuse of Older Marin Residents

December 17, 2025
Source: https://www.marincounty.gov/news-releases/program-doubles-down-halting-financial-abuse-older-marin-residents

Marin County, CA – When someone walks into a financial institution and requests a huge withdrawal, red flags pop up for the staff. It’s especially concerning if the customer is an older person and the reason for the withdrawal seems uncharacteristic or suspicious.

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office hopes everyone stays alert about greedy bad actors looking to prey on the vulnerable. Scams are on the rise in every form – sometimes online, sometimes by phone call or text, sometimes in face-to-face transactions. On top of that, there is a seasonal surge in holiday-related scams.

District Attorney Lori Frugoli and her staff launched a new program with two local banks to prevent fraud, especially for older residents who are more likely to fall victim to financial abuse. The DA is working in partnership with Bank of Marin, WestAmerica Bank and the San Rafael Police Department on a pilot program designed to empower bank staff to share information with customers when a withdrawal appears questionable. The Aging Division of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also participating in the program.   

DA staff delivered informational cards to the banks for a two-month pilot.  The cards are designed to assist banking personnel with bank customers who appear to be or may be actively victimized by a scam or fraud scheme. Bank managers at six San Rafael branches – three at each institution – are training customer service staff to inform customers about possible fraud when big withdrawals are requested. 

The cards prompt customers to consider if a previously unknown person or party is connected with the withdrawal. If so, the customer is urged to contact San Rafael Police before giving any money away.

“Scammers capitalize on kindness and trust, two values our senior population so beautifully embodies,” Frugoli said. “Unfortunately, today’s sophisticated fraud schemes have turned these virtues into vulnerabilities, often resulting in losses of tens of thousands of dollars, sometimes one’s life savings. Our office is committed to protecting and fighting for our seniors and hopes this new collaboration with local banks and law enforcement agencies has an immediate impact on preventing these otherwise devastating financial crimes.”

The DA staff and the HHS Financial Abuse Special Team (FAST) have shared similar fraud alerts at public events, including the popular Marin Senior Fair in September. The educational campaign is driven by alarming statistics, including:

  • Nationally, 1 in 5 older adults becomes a victim of financial abuse.
  • Victims age 60 and older lose an estimated $28.3 billion each year to financial exploitation, according to a 2023 study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
  • About 72% of the losses (more than $20 billion) come from fraud by people the victim knows.
  • Losses from stranger-perpetrated incidents amounted to $8 billion, according to the same study.
  • Those incidents were reported to cause an estimated $4.8 billion in losses – a figure suspected to be much lower than the actual number because of shame associated with being victimized.
  • By 2030, it is projected that more than 35% of Marin's population will be age 60 or older. 

Often it is large withdrawals by cash, a cashier’s check, or a wire transfer that sends up the warning flares for bank staff. The bank personnel can review account history and spot unusual activity patterns. 

“It can be influential if one of their trusted sources says, ‘I wouldn’t do this if I were you’ or ‘At least pump the breaks and look further into it first,’” Reischel said. “In short, we’re basically saying, ‘Be suspicious’ and ‘Don’t let them trap you.’”

Longer-term plans include expanding the program beyond the two-month pilot. Local chambers of commerce, community centers, and houses of worship have expressed interest in helping spread awareness. The campaign targets not only older adults but also their family members, caregivers, and staff at retirement and senior care facilities. Even a young grandchild can play a vital role in stopping financial abuse within the family.

External Link: https://www.marincounty.gov/news-releases/program-doubles-down-halting-financial-abuse-older-marin-residents