#United States #Washington #Elder Abuse #Janine Williamson #Larry's Law

Awareness and Advocacy Against Elder Abuse

As the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day approaches on June 15, Janine Williamson, a prominent advocate for preventing elder fraud and the administrator for the Larry W. Cook Estate, is intensifying her calls for immediate action. This renewed push coincides with the recently released FBI report detailing the severe rise in elder financial exploitation. Williamson, featured in an op-ed for CQ Researcher, emphasizes the urgent need for stronger legislative measures aimed at holding financial institutions accountable in cases of fraud. "Stronger legislation is essential to ensure banks return funds to their customers who fall victim to scams," she asserts, stressing that families should not face devastating financial losses without recourse.

The urgency of this message is underscored by the shocking statistics in the FBI's latest Internet Crime Report. In 2024 alone, there were approximately 147,000 reported complaints of elder financial exploitation—a staggering increase of 46% from the previous year. The losses associated with these scams reached an astounding $4.8 billion, representing a 43% jump, with victims losing an average of $83,000 each.

For Virginia, the rise is particularly alarming, marked by a 55% increase in complaints from 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $106.5 million. Williamson's personal connection to this issue stems from her late uncle, Larry Cook, a retired Navy commander who tragically lost millions due to a phishing scam designed to target the elderly. In response to this tragedy, she actively supported the passage of Virginia's "Larry's Law," which was critical for improving protections against this type of fraud.

Williamson has taken her advocacy a step further by lobbying key figures in Congress, including Senators Warren, Blumenthal, Kaine, Warner, and Representative Beyer. Her aim is to press for stronger federal protections that can effectively combat financial scams targeting the elderly. "The FBI's IC3 report reinforces the need for bipartisan legislation and the establishment of a federal fraud protection task force," she stated, highlighting the pressing need for accountability within the banking sector to keep up with evolving criminal tactics.

Janine's efforts have not gone unnoticed, as she has been featured in several reputable media outlets, such as Bloomberg, USA Today, and NBC Washington, amplifying the discourse around elder financial exploitation. Her work is driven by a commitment to elevate the voices of those affected and advocate for meaningful policy changes that can enhance protections for seniors.

To delve deeper into the issue of elder financial exploitation and explore the necessary policy reform to secure senior citizens, Williamson encourages individuals to visit larryslaw.org or connect with her on LinkedIn for further engagement.

Through her tireless advocacy, Janine Williamson exemplifies the power of individual action in confronting a systemic issue that impacts many families. As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day nears, her message resonates more than ever—emphasizing that prevention, awareness, and accountability are critical components in the fight against elder fraud.