Standing Together on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Every year on June 15th, communities across the country recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The goal is to raise awareness and take action to protect older adults.

At Bank Iowa, this day is about more than awareness. It’s about looking out for the people who helped build our communities and making sure they feel safe, respected and supported.

Understanding Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is more common than many people realize. It’s defined as any intentional or negligent act that causes harm or creates a serious risk of harm to an older adult. 

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it’s estimated that more than 10% of adults age 65 and older experience some form of abuse each year.

Elder abuse can take many forms, including:

• Financial exploitation – misuse of money, accounts or assets
• Emotional or psychological abuse – threats, intimidation or isolation
• Physical abuse – causing harm through force
• Neglect or abandonment – failing to provide basic care or support
• Sexual abuse – any form of non-consensual interaction

While these situations can happen anywhere, unfortunately, they often involve someone the individual knows, such as a caregiver, family member or trusted contact.

Why Awareness Matters

One of the biggest challenges with elder abuse is that it often goes unreported. Many individuals may feel embarrassed, afraid or unsure of how to speak up. Research suggests that only a fraction of cases are ever reported to authorities, meaning many people continue to experience harm without support.

That’s why awareness plays such an important role. Recognizing the signs and starting conversations can help protect individuals before situations escalate.

Signs to Watch For

Elder abuse isn’t always easy to spot, but there are some common warning signs to pay attention to:

• Sudden or unexplained changes in finances
• Unusual withdrawals or changes to accounts
• Isolation from family or friends
• Changes in mood, behavior or confidence
• Unexplained injuries or changes in living conditions

These signs don’t always mean abuse is happening, but they are a reason to pause, ask questions and take a closer look.

Financial Exploitation: A Growing Concern

One area Bank Iowa continues to see impacting older adults is financial exploitation. Scammers often target individuals through phone calls, emails or even personal relationships by building trust before taking advantage.

Common scams can include:

• Impersonation scams (posing as government agencies or financial institutions)
• Romance scams or trust-based schemes
• Tech support or “urgent” account issues
• Requests for gift cards, wires, or unusual transfers

These situations can feel urgent and convincing, which is exactly what fraudsters rely on. Taking a moment to verify before acting can make all the difference.

How Bank Iowa Can Help

Protecting customers and communities is at the core of what Bank Iowa does every day.

If something doesn’t feel right, Bank Iowa encourages customers to pause and reach out. Whether it’s a questionable transaction or an unusual request, having a conversation can help prevent loss and protect what matters most.

Bank Iowa also provides education and resources to help customers recognize scams, understand risks and make informed decisions with confidence.

If you ever wonder whether a situation is legitimate or think your financial information is at risk, contact Bank Iowa directly and our Client Experience team will be more than happy to assist you.