Hannaford Leads the Way in Elder Fraud Awareness in Maine

Hannaford's Initiative Against Elder Fraud

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine recently announced an innovative new elder fraud awareness program that will utilize the inherent relationships of pharmacists and their customers to reach older Mainers. This collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, AARP Maine, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention aims to educate Mainers on common signs of scams and how to report elder fraud.

Program Implementation at Hannaford Pharmacies

The program will commence at Hannaford Supermarkets’ 60 in-store pharmacies across Maine, where informational brochures will be attached to prescription bags for distribution to pharmacy customers. “We recognize older individuals, as well as their caretakers, make up a large portion of our customer base, and that we are uniquely positioned to help reach this audience directly through our pharmacy services as a trusted source for health and safety information,” said Sara Lane, manager of pharmacy clinical services at Hannaford Supermarkets.

Addressing a Growing Problem

Elder fraud is a rising concern nationwide. In the past year, over 101,000 Americans aged 60 and above lost $3.4 billion to scams, including 397 Mainers who filed complaints totaling more than $7.1 million. “Pharmacists are consistently ranked among the most trusted healthcare providers,” noted U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee. This trust, combined with regular interactions, makes pharmacies essential partners in spreading awareness to older Mainers, their families, and caregivers.

Educational Resources for Prevention

The educational materials were created by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with support from the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention. They will detail common signs of scams and information on the National Elder Fraud Hotline. Hannaford's commitment as a community leader in fraud awareness serves as a proactive approach to combat this escalating issue.