In Norton Shores, we pride ourselves on being a safe, connected, and caring community—and that includes looking out for our older adult neighbors. To help protect some of our most vulnerable residents, the Norton Shores Police Department continues its ongoing partnership with the SafeSeniors program, a collaboration that began in 2018 as a Multi-Disciplinary Team and expanded in 2019 to include the SafeSeniors Task Force.
Detective Jared Passchier serves in this dedicated role, working closely with Adult Protective Services (APS), community organizations, and residents to investigate not only financial exploitation and scams—but also abuse and neglect that can occur at the hands of family members or caregivers.
“Seniors are often isolated and trusting—two things that scammers and abusers are quick to take advantage of,” said Det. Passchier. “We’re here to make sure our residents know what to watch for, and that they’re not alone if something doesn’t feel right.”
A Growing Problem: Scams Targeting Seniors
Scams targeting older adults come in many forms. Some of the most common include:
- Computer Virus Scams – Fraudsters pose as tech support, claiming your computer is infected and requesting remote access or payment.
- Grandparent Scams – Scammers pretend to be a grandchild in trouble, urgently asking for money.
- Romance Scams – Someone builds a fake online relationship with a senior and then requests money, often in the form of gift cards.
“One case we stopped involved a Norton Shores resident who was about to send an $11,000 check to someone pretending to be from Geek Squad,” Det. Passchier shared. “These scams can be incredibly convincing.”
Gift cards are a red flag. If someone you don’t know or trust asks you to buy gift cards and share the codes—it’s a scam. These funds are often untraceable and quickly transferred.
Be Careful Communicating Online
Another growing area of concern is communication through social media and messaging apps. Scammers will often steal or fake online profiles and pretend to be someone you may know. A major red flag is if they ask to move the conversation to apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Discord. These are Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platforms that allow scammers—often operating from outside the U.S.—to contact you directly and hide their identity. Always verify who you’re talking to, and when in doubt, pause and check with a trusted friend or family member.
Warning Signs of Exploitation or Abuse
Exploitation isn’t always committed by strangers. In many heartbreaking cases, it starts within the home—by family members or caregivers. Warning signs include:
- Unusual or large purchases
- Sudden changes in banking behavior
- Isolation or secretive behavior around money
- Emotional distress, fear, or depression
- Unexplained injuries or signs of neglect
“Some of the hardest cases involve someone being taken advantage of by a person they trusted,” said Det. Passchier. “But those are also the cases where we can truly make a difference.”
What You Can Do
If you’re a family member, friend, or neighbor of an older adult, you can help:
- Check in regularly and talk about financial and personal safety
- Encourage them to verify any requests for money or information
- Help monitor bank accounts for unusual activity
- Watch for emotional or physical signs of abuse
- Report concerns to APS or the Norton Shores Police Department
You can also take proactive steps, like freezing credit reports, reviewing statements regularly, and verifying suspicious messages or calls.
“If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t,” Det. Passchier advised. “Call us. We would much rather investigate something early than after it’s too late.”
Presentations & Community Education
SafeSeniors can provide a speaker at no cost to groups who want to learn more about elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Presentations cover red flags to watch for, common scams, how to stay safe, how to report concerns, and our team-based approach to elder justice. Presentations can be fit to your organizations needs.
To schedule a presentation or learn more, contact Chris Burnaw, SafeSeniors Coordinator, at 231-726-7104 or [email protected].
Visit the SafeSeniors website at safeseniors.info for resources, tips, and more information.
Reporting Concerns
If you suspect a senior may be the victim of a scam, abuse, or neglect:
- Call Adult Protective Services at 855-444-3911
- Contact the Norton Shores Police Department at 231-733-2691
- Report anonymously through Silent Observer at 231-72-CRIME or silentobservermuskegon.com
Because in Norton Shores, protecting our people—especially those who’ve built this community—is simply part of who we are.Norton Shores: The Good Life—It’s in Our Nature.
