Atlantic county officials host elder abuse, scam awareness program for seniors in margate

Atlantic County Officials Host Elder Abuse, Scam Awareness Program for Seniors in Margate

Posted by
1 min read
July 7, 2026
Senior citizens received practical guidance on recognizing fraud, preventing financial exploitation, and reporting elder abuse during a multi-agency community outreach event in Margate.

Margate, NJ – The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, in partnership with the Margate City Police Department, the Atlantic County Office on Aging, the New Jersey State Police, and the FBI, hosted an elder abuse and scam awareness program for senior citizens at the JCC in Margate.

The community presentation focused on helping older adults identify common fraud schemes, avoid financial exploitation, recognize warning signs of elder abuse, and learn how to report suspicious activity. Officials also shared information about resources available to seniors and their families throughout Atlantic County.

Agencies emphasize prevention and reporting

“Attendees learned how to recognize common fraud schemes, protect themselves from financial exploitation, identify warning signs of elder abuse, and report suspicious activity,” the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.

“The presentation also provided valuable resources available to seniors and their families throughout Atlantic County,” the office added, highlighting the importance of connecting residents with local support services before they become victims of fraud.

Detective shares investigative experience

Detective Kim McColligan participated as a guest speaker during the program. According to the prosecutor’s office, she shared her experience investigating elder abuse cases and discussed the importance of recognizing and reporting scams targeting older adults.

Photo: atlantic county officials host elder abuse, scam awareness program for seniors in margate

Officials encouraged seniors and their families to remain cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails, text messages, and financial requests, noting that awareness remains one of the strongest defenses against fraud.

K-9 demonstration highlights law enforcement tools

The event also featured a demonstration by Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office Officer April Kelso and K-9 Zara.

“The program also featured a K-9 demonstration by Atlantic County Sheriff’s Officer April Kelso and K-9 Zara, highlighting how specially trained detection dogs assist law enforcement in identifying currency that may be connected to criminal activity,” the prosecutor’s office said.

The outreach event brought together local, county, state, and federal agencies to educate residents about protecting themselves from scams while strengthening awareness of elder abuse prevention across the community.


Key Points

  • Atlantic County agencies hosted an elder abuse and scam awareness program for senior citizens at the JCC in Margate.
  • Detective Kim McColligan discussed elder abuse investigations and the importance of recognizing and reporting scams targeting older adults.
  • Officer April Kelso and K-9 Zara demonstrated how detection dogs assist investigators in locating currency linked to criminal activity.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version