Topeka ? Kansas Atty. Gen. Phill Kline on Tuesday announced beefed-up enforcement of crimes against people who are elderly or disabled, who he said have become increasing targets of fraud and abuse.

“We need to step up to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” Kline said at a senior center in Topeka.

Kline has formed a Vulnerable Adults Task Force composed of staff investigators and attorneys who deal with consumer protection and Medicaid fraud.

The task force also has enlisted the aid of Kansas Advocacy and Protective Services, AARP of Kansas and county departments on aging. The Elder Law Clinic at Kansas University has placed an intern with attorneys working on the project.

“The senior citizens of Kansas have dedicated their lives to rearing their families, to help build our community and working in a dedicated fashion to make Kansas a better place.

“Now in their golden years, when they should be able to benefit from the fruits of their labor, there are those who would prey upon them and target them for exploitation,” Kline said.

He said elderly Kansans were particular targets because many of them live in relative isolation, have cash assets and generally trust people.

The task force will fast-track complaints of fraud and abuse committed against people who are elderly or disabled, especially financial fraud, he said.

Since the task force started business in March, it has received more than 400 complaints of abuse of people who are elderly or disabled, Assistant Atty. Gen. Stacy Jeffress said.

Audio from Attorney General Phill Kline:¢ Clip 1 (:23)¢ Clip 2 (:28)

In addition to prosecuting crimes and filing lawsuits, the task force will try to educate the general public and businesses about the warning signs of abuse.

“We want to help others become eyes and ears of the community,” Jeffress said.

Possible indicators of financial abuse include a senior citizen making unusual bank withdrawals, failing to buy groceries or medicine, failing to pay bills, writing numerous checks to telemarketers, and buying merchandise or home repairs that he or she doesn’t need.

Nearly 17 percent of the Kansas population, or 455,394 people, are age 60 or older. In 2001, there were 964 cases of financial exploitation reported to state officials. National groups indicate the actual number of fraud committed against the elderly is probably five times what is reported to authorities.

In many instances, elderly people are either ashamed or too frightened to report the crime, officials say.

Molly Wood, a Lawrence attorney who is director of the Elder Law Clinic at KU, said she hoped the task force achieved results and was not announced and then forgotten.

“Things get done by folks rolling up their sleeves and doing them. If he (Kline) is going to focus more of the resources of the attorney general’s office on the elderly, I’m all for it,” she said.