Goddard's Work on Behalf of AZ Seniors

As Arizona’s Attorney General, Terry Goddard has been at work protecting the interests of Arizona’s seniors.  Some of his accomplishments:

• Aggressive prosecution of cases of elder abuse and exploitation.

• Prosecution of financial fraud cases targeting seniors:
  • Baptist Foundation of Arizona
    Executives of BFA were charged with and convicted of fraudulent investments, fraudulent real estate transactions and operating a ponzi scheme.
  • Internet/credit card scams cases
  • Investment fraud

• Created the Attorney General’s Senior Advisory Council.  The group guides the efforts of the AG’s office to educate seniors about scams including charity fraud, prize notification scams and telemarketing rip-offs.

• Created the Seniors Strike Back program in 2007.  The project enlisted the help of senior volunteers to save junk mail, and then allow the AG’s office to review mail solicitations to spot violations of Arizona’s consumer protection laws.  Seniors are targeted far more often than the general population for mail fraud.  

• Created the Senior Sleuths program, yet another innovative approach that helps seniors help themselves avoid fraud and scams, including Medicare fraud.  Training by the AG’s office prepared seniors to handle fraud prevention tasks from home; staff the AG Elder Help Hotline; work in satellite AG offices; and make presentations to a variety of community groups.

• Formed the Senior Anti-Crime University.  These more formal courses cover a wide range of topics including consumer fraud; life care planning & health care directives; financial exploitation; Medicare fraud; reverse mortgage scams; identity theft; elder abuse and neglect; personal safety and internet safety.  In 2009/10, 14 Senior Anti-Crime University training events were conducted statewide.

• Advocated for stronger state laws:
  
  • Successfully strengthened the Vulnerable Adult Financial Exploitation law   
  • Reverse Mortgage regulation strengthened to mirror Federal law