Elder ShieldFoundation

Greater Cincinnati · 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Safeguarding Ohio's elderly from financial exploitation.

We teach seniors and their care team how to spot financial exploitation before it happens, and help victims pick up the pieces when it does.

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If money is being taken right now

Cease all communication - Call for help.

Scammers rush you on purpose. Hang up, don't send money, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and talk to someone you trust. These free services can help today.

National Elder Fraud Hotline 833-372-8311 U.S. Department of Justice. Case managers help you report fraud and find next steps.
Ohio Adult Protective Services 855-644-6277 Statewide line for reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult 60 or older.
Ohio Attorney General 800-282-0515 Consumer Protection. File a scam complaint or ask for help.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. You can also report internet and cryptocurrency fraud to the FBI at ic3.gov.

What we do

Prevention first, recovery when it counts.

Community education

Free, plain-language sessions for senior centers, faith communities, libraries, and family groups on how today's scams actually work.

  • Romance, impostor, tech-support, and "grandparent" scams
  • Cryptocurrency, gift card, and wire transfer red flags
  • Guidance tailored for families and caregivers
  • Simple steps to lock down accounts and personal information

Request a session for your group

Victim recovery support

Being scammed is not a personal failing. We walk victims and families through what to do next, one step at a time.

  • Reporting to banks, law enforcement, and regulators
  • Securing accounts and stopping further losses
  • Tracing what happened, including cryptocurrency payments
  • Connecting families with legal, protective, and support services

Ask for help

Warning signs

What a scam usually sounds like

  • "Act now or else."Threats of arrest, frozen accounts, or a loved one in trouble, with no time to think.
  • "Don't tell anyone."Real banks, police, and family members don't ask you to keep secrets.
  • "Pay with gift cards, crypto, or a wire."Legitimate agencies never ask for payment this way.
  • "Move your money to keep it safe."No real bank or government office tells you to move savings to a "safe" account.
  • "I've never met you, but I love you."An online friend who always has an emergency and needs money.
  • "Let me into your computer."Pop-ups or calls about viruses that end with someone controlling your screen.

Founder

Mason P. Busch

Member, Ohio Attorney General's Elder Abuse Commission

Financial crimes investigator specializing in anti-money laundering, digital assets, and blockchain forensics.

  • CAMS
  • CCAS
  • CRC
  • CCE
  • TRM-ACI

About us

Built by a team of financial crime professionals.

Elder Shield Foundation was founded to put financial crime intelligence where it's needed most: in the hands of Ohio's seniors and their care team.

Scams targeting seniors are getting faster and more sophisticated, and more of them now run through cryptocurrency. We investigate these cases every day, in the financial services industry and in communities across Ohio.

Contact

Get in touch

To request an education session, ask for help with a scam, or talk about supporting our work, email us. We serve Greater Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio.

info@eldershieldfoundation.org

If money is being taken right now, don't wait for an email reply. Call one of these numbers.