F.A.S.T. Information

Dane County's Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) (Brochure about FAST 48KB PDF)is a group of professionals who volunteer their time to help prevent financial abuse of vulnerable adults and to assure that victims get adequate support, advocacy, and attention from the legal and human services systems.

It is challenging to respond to victims of financial crimes and exploitation due to the relationships between the victims and the perpetrators.  Sometimes the older adult victims and other family members are opposed to making changes.  In most situations, the circumstances are complicated and require a variety of perspectives to be successful at preventing future reoccurrence of financial exploitation.  That is why the FAST model is so successful.

Elder Victim Advocates

Dane County has made a commitment to provide support and advocacy to elder crime victims through a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant associated with FAST and the Area Agency on Aging of Dane County.  Crime victims are assigned an advocate who provides support and accompanies the victim as needed during the investigation and court hearings as well as helping them heal from the trauma and betrayal that is sometimes involved in these cases. 

Advance Bank Orders for Preventing Financial Exploitation

In 2002, FAST created the Advance Bank Orders form that could be used by banks to offer to customers.  It can be used by older customers to tell the bank or credit union to contact a specified person or persons in the event there is activity in their accounts that draw concern.  The customer would be the first person called about their accounts, but then the named person would be called as well.  This form is part of the Advance Directive Pilot Project implemented to underscore the important role banks can play in preventing financial abuse.  The project also includes bank training of officers and tellers to spot suspicious financial activities.

Elder Abuse Office
Area Agency on Aging of Dane County
2322 S. Park ST
Madison, Wisconsin 53713
(608) 261-9933
email: aaa@co.dane.wi.us