NYC Aging and Popular Bank Launch World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event Series Focused on Financial Abuse

NYC Aging and Popular Bank Launch World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event Series Focused on Financial Abuse

Partnership will help older New Yorkers recognize, prevent, and report financial exploitation

New York, NY - The New York City Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) and Popular Bank will host a series of events throughout June in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), observed annually on June 15. The event series will focus on financial abuse and exploitation, the most common form of elder abuse and one of the most underreported.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day serves as an opportunity to promote a better understanding of elder abuse and its impacts. This year, NYC Aging and Popular Bank will focus on financial abuse and exploitation, one of the most common forms of elder abuse. Elder abuse remains significantly underreported, with research suggesting that just one in twenty-four cases is reported. Through educational workshops, community conversations, and resource-sharing events in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, NYC Aging and Popular Bank will raise awareness about financial exploitation and connect older New Yorkers to services and supports that can help protect their financial security.

The event series builds on a newly established partnership between NYC Aging's SAFE Initiative and Popular Bank. Beginning this spring, NYC Aging has been providing training to customer-facing Popular Bank staff to help them identify signs of financial exploitation, respond appropriately to concerns, and connect older customers to NYC Aging's Elder Justice providers and Crime Prevention and Support Services (C-PASS).

"Too many cases of financial exploitation go unreported, often because the harm is committed by someone the older adult knows and trusts, said NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie. Through this partnership with Popular Bank, we are equipping community members, bank staff, and older New Yorkers with the tools to recognize financial exploitation, prevent it whenever possible, and connect people to help when it occurs."

"We're proud to collaborate with the NYC Department for the Aging on such a timely and important initiative," said Bertha Rozier, Head of New York Metro Retail Banking at Popular Bank. "Equipping our elderly neighbors with the knowledge and tools to recognize and prevent financial abuse preserves their dignity and strengthens the financial health of our communities."

"Deed theft disproportionately affects older New Yorkers because fraudsters often prey on those they perceive as most vulnerable," said Peter White Director of the Mayor's Office of Deed Theft Prevention. "Our Office is committed to stemming the tide of deed fraud in our communities and working with our partners to implement strategies that prevent this type of theft against New Yorkers of all ages."

WEAAD Event Series Schedule:

Deed Theft Prevention

When: June 10, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: Diana H. Jones Older Adult Center, Brooklyn

Topics:

• Recognizing warning signs of deed theft
• Protecting property ownership
• Legal resources and support services
  
  

Panelists:

• Peter White, Director, Mayor's Office of Deed Theft Prevention
• Chi Osse, Councilmember, 35^th District
• Jenny Eisenberg, Senior Staff Attorney, Brooklyn Legal Services

Financial Safety Through Community

When: June 24, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: R.A.I.N. Boston Road Older Adult Center, Bronx

Topics:

• The connection between social isolation and financial exploitation
• Financial safety strategies
• Community resources and support services

Financial Abuse and Exploitation Prevention

When: June 30, 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Where: Popular Bank Jackson Heights Branch, Queens

Topics:

• Preventing financial abuse and exploitation
• Recognizing signs of financial abuse
• Financial safety resources
  
  

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day series is part of NYC Aging's broader WEAAD programming taking place throughout June. Additional events include:

• June 11: The United Nations' WEAAD Commemoration event and panel discussion at UN Headquarters
• June 14: CASC's Elder Abuse Awareness Walk in Staten Island
• June 17: Elder Abuse Awareness virtual training in partnership with Brooklyn Public Library and Apple Bank
• June 18: Harlem WEAAD Resource Fair co-hosted with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and State Senator Cordell Cleare's Office on June 18 at 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard
• June 25: Elder Abuse 101 virtual training for Family Justice Center provider staff

Together, these events will raise awareness about elder abuse and connect older New Yorkers, caregivers, professionals, and community members with information and resources available across all five boroughs.

NYC Aging's Elder Justice programs help older New Yorkers experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other forms of mistreatment. Services include legal assistance, case management, counseling, elder abuse and financial exploitation prevention, and connections to community-based supports. Older New Yorkers seeking assistance can call Aging Connect at 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).

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About NYC Aging:

The NYC Department for the Aging's mission is to eliminate ageism and empower older adults to live independently in their communities. Through a network of more than 300 older adult centers and naturally occurring retirement communities, NYC Aging provides programs and resources for more than 1.8 million older New Yorkers.