"A silent crime is taking its toll on America -- silent because so many of these cases go unreported," said Kathleen Quinn, executive director of the protective services association. "This announcement is the first step in a partnership we hope will grow to close the gap on elder abuse."

Elder financial abuse can happen in a number of ways, according to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse:

-- Forging an older person's signature.

-- Getting a senior to sign a deed, will, or power of attorney through deception, coercion, or undue influence.

-- Using the elder person's property or possessions without permission.

-- Promising lifelong care in exchange for money or property and not following through on the promise.

-- Making charges against victims' credit cards without authorization.

-- Confidence crimes ("cons") in which victims are scammed by gaining their trust.

Following are some red-flag warnings NASAA will be providing to adult protective services workers to help them spot and stop potential elder financial abuse:

-- Is the senior receiving information about or being asked to invest in unregistered securities or start-up companies? (You'll have to do some research to find this out.) Securities fraud can be detected by checking with your state securities regulator. Contact information is available at www.nasaa.org.

-- Is the investment high risk or possibly speculative, such as oil and gas exploration, new or untested technologies, rare metals, or involve currency trading?

-- Has the senior been asked to sign blank paperwork or to give discretionary authority over her accounts to an adviser?

-- Is the senior complaining that his investment adviser won't give him his account statements or documentation?

-- Has the senior made out a check directly to the adviser or broker for the purchase of an investment?

There's information on NASAA's Web site that will assist you in helping seniors avoid these problems. Go to www.nasaa.org and search for "Senior Investor Resource Center." To report elder abuse you can contact an Adult Protective Services office at www.apsnetwork.org or through the National Center on Elder Abuse at www.ncea.aoa.gov or (800) 677-1116

"This type of crime just sets me off," Joseph said. "You get victims who are in their 70s and 80s being taken for their life savings. What do they do? They can't earn it back."

If you suspect a senior is being financially exploited, report it -- even if the suspected scoundrel is a family member.