Why are adults repeatedly victimized by scams? What interventions can APS use?
Criminals use powerful psychological manipulation techniques to gain trust and create emotional dependency to financially exploit adults. These techniques are especially effective with adults who are vulnerable to financial exploitation due to mental health challenges, cognitive changes or who experience social isolation as a result of disability.
Accepting you have been scammed is hard. Denial can be strong to protect one’s self esteem. Accepting the scam and consequences of impacts from financial loss might feel unbearable for the adult.
There are approach and interventions APS can use in these circumstances.
- Start by engaging the adult. Listen, build trust, talk about your role and their rights as an APS client. Facts about exploitation can’t be heard without trust and feeling safe about the APS assessment process.
- Support the adult. Shame is a powerful inhibitor to accepting the trusted person is a scam.
- Plant seeds of doubt about the scammer.
- Help the adult understand they were targeted by an expert in psychological manipulation. The scammer’s techniques work on anyone. Put blame on the scammer, where it belongs. “Your feelings were hijacked by an expert criminal.’’
- Help the adult understand the contacts by a scammer can create an actual dopamine reward loop in the brain, which can be addictive for the brain who signals you to seek that contact and may take a long time to change.
- Help the adult find mental health, peer and social support to maintain “sobriety’ from scammers.
- Engage the adult or supports in identifying what actions can be taken to protect the adult’s financial interests such as changing phone numbers, moving accounts, limiting access to finances, having a trusted financial advisor review decisions about withdrawals, gifts, or transfers in advance of taking the action.
- Refer the adult and supports for legal advice on options to recover, protect, or preserve assets.
- Intervene with the Safe Senior Protection Act Minnesota Adult Protection Policy Manual 14-PA Program Administration
- Report to Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311. Coordinate with local law enforcement.
More information on supporting adults who have been revictimized is available through August Scam Advice Forum: Assisting and supporting chronically revictimized older victims of transnational fraud and their families - NAPSA
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Changing our words can change outcomes. When we change how we talk about fraud and remove language that blames victims, we demonstrate more compassion and understanding of the person's experience. Empathy and compassion are significant tools for connecting with APS clients and finding ways to connect adults with needed supports.
AARP Fraud Watch Network and FINRA Investor Education Foundation created a simple fact sheet with suggested language for talking about scams with victims using a trauma-informed lens, highlighting examples of of victim-blaming language in the context of financial fraud and suggesting better options. One example:
Instead of this:
How could you fall for that? Didn’t you see the flags?
Say this:
This isn’t your fault – you experienced a crime
A report from AARP Fraud Watch Network and FINRA Foundation explores how victim blaming exacerbates the deep sense of shame and low self-esteem many fraud victims experience and how it shifts the focus away from perpetrators.
Key findings from “Blame and Shame in the Context of Financial Fraud”:
- Over half (53%) of respondents identify victims as culpable and blameworthy.
- About a third (32%) of respondents agreed with the statement, “Honestly, if you fall victim ... a lot of that is on you.”
- Nearly half (47%) of respondents think that reporting a scam is a lost cause.
Small changes can make a big difference. Together we can shift the narrative to focus on the crime and the criminal, avoid victim-blaming, and help support APS clients who are victims of scams and financial abuse.
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Supporting Adults Impacted by Financial Scams and Fraud
Financial exploitation through scams continues to impact vulnerable adults across Minnesota. During an APS assessment, consider these additional helpful tools and resources:
A few intentional interventions can help adults regain control, insight, and confidence after experiencing financial fraud.
Questions? For more information, contact the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
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MN Adult Protection training courses support equity and consistency in service response and outcomes that safeguard and promote dignity for adults who are vulnerable, regardless of their location in Minnesota. Many of the following training opportunities support APS professionals meeting education requirements under 626.557 Subd. 9e (8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties).
DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialist (APRS)
DHS Adult Protection Resource Specialist (APRS) staff support adult protection workers and supervisors with policy clarification and case consultation regarding intake, assessment, service intervention, and assessment outcomes for the safety and dignity of adults vulnerable to maltreatment and reported as having experienced maltreatment.
Connect with an APRS today at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609.
MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan
The MN Adult Protection Recommended Training Plan introduces new adult protection professionals to important adult protection concepts, statues, and principles, and supports equity and consistency in service response and outcomes that safeguard and promote dignity for adults who are vulnerable, regardless of their location in Minnesota.
The recommended training plan contributes to successful onboarding for new APS professionals, as well as help APS professionals meet statutorily required education requirements, 8 hours annual training specific to adult protection duties (626.557 Subd. 9e).
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
MN Adult Protection Learning Management System and eLearning Courses
The MN Adult Protection Learning Management System is back online!
The MN Adult Protection learning management system (LMS), iSpring, is an application that manages and delivers training content. This dedicated MN Adult Protection LMS provides on-demand, self-paced eLearning courses for APS professionals across the state. Content includes foundational eLearning courses, Cultural Responsiveness Diversity Information Sheets, and more.
Complete the following steps to access the MN Adult Protection eLearning courses:
- Register for iSpring by selecting the iSpring registration link and filling out the sign-up form
- Select the “Catalog” tab to view the available courses
- To enroll in a course, click a course title and select “Add to My Courses”
- The “My Courses” tab will list all enrolled courses; select a course to begin!
Already registered for iSpring? Select the iSpring login link to access MN Adult Protection trainings.
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
MN Adult Protection Foundations eLearning Courses
Foundations eLearning courses address core competency training recommendations in the ACL Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems and align with Minnesota state adult protection policy. Foundations eLearning courses include:
- What is Adult Protection in Minnesota?
- Adult Protection Services Populations Served and Eligibility
- MAARC Functions and Duties
- Lead Investigative Agencies (LIA) and Jurisdictions for Maltreatment Response
- EPS Intake
- APS Intake
- MN APS SDM® Intake Assessment Training (for workers or supervisors)
- Assessment Response
- APS Assessment
- MN APS SDM® Strengths and Needs Assessment Training (for workers or supervisors)
- APS Coordination and Data Sharing
- Completing Protective Services and Case Closure
- Engagement Strategies
- Completing Final Disposition and Appeals
*Please note, the Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses are prerequisite for the MN Adult Protection Foundations Live Training
MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training
Foundations Live Training* is a 3-hour interactive online training facilitated by MN DHS Adult Protection Unit staff. The course reviews case examples and practical scenarios in order to apply foundational statutory definitions and MN state adult protection policy principles covered in the Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses.
*Please note, the Adult Protection Foundations eLearning courses are prerequisite for the MN Adult Protection Foundations Live Training
Click a link below to register for a MN Adult Protection Foundations: Live Training
Questions? Please connect with the DHS Adult Protection Unit at (651) 431-2609 or dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us.
Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard
The Vulnerable Adult Protection Dashboard provides annual state and county data on the number of reports, allegations, and investigation determinations to explain what happens after reports of suspected maltreatment are made to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC).
SSIS Essentials eLearning
SSIS Essentials eLearning is a collection of six courses that provide an introduction to basic navigation and functionality of core SSIS functions. SSIS Essentials eLearning is offered through TrainLink. Please visit the SSIS Essentials eLearning website for registration, TrainLink instructions, technical requirements, and more information about each of the courses.
SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training
The SSIS Adult Protection Worker course is a technical training that provides an overview of data entry in SSIS as related to APS. The training is offered in two half-day virtual classes and is designed for new adult protection workers, SSIS Mentors, and those seeking a refresher. Please visit the SSIS Adult Protection Worker Training website for available training dates, registration instructions, and more detailed information about the course.
APS Technical Assistance and Resource Center (TARC)
APS TARC provides a variety of free educational opportunities for adult protection professionals including podcasts, webinars, briefs, and toolkits. APS TARC offerings address a wide variety of topics including ethics, frauds and scams, interviews with experts, implicit bias, trauma informed practice, and more. Keep up to date with APS TARC offerings by joining their mailing list, and check out the APS TARC YouTube page for additional content.
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The DHS Adult Protection Newsletter shares knowledge specific to adult protection work in MN, answers common questions regarding adult protection work in MN, and provides awareness of DHS Adult Protection training opportunities. The DHS Adult Protection newsletter archive includes 12 months of past newsletters. Please contact us with any questions or to sign up for the newsletter at dhs.adultprotection@state.mn.us or (651) 431-2609
For more information, visit us online at DHS Adult Protection: Program Overview
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