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Protect elders from financial fraud on World Elder Abuse Day

posted by Liz Little (Retired) on Thursday, June 13, 2019 in SHAZAM Blog

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15. 

According to the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day website, financial exploitation is the fastest growing form of elder abuse. In fact, older people throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion annually to financial abuse and exploitation. These crimes involve someone improperly using an older adult’s money or belongings for their personal use, and it can happen to seniors of all social and economic backgrounds.

This crime can do irreparable damage to its victims’ finances and may ultimately deprive them of basic needs such as food, medical care or housing. Often, the victims of these crimes choose not to report them due to embarrassment or fear of retribution. Community financial institutions are in a unique position to help protect their accountholders from financial exploitation.

Watch for these signs that may help you and your accountholders identify and ultimately prevent elder financial abuse:

  • Unusually large, frequent or unexplained account withdrawals, uncharacteristic attempts to wire large sums of money, or checks written as “loans” or “gifts”
  • ATM withdrawals by an older person who has never used a debit or ATM card
  • New “best friends” accompanying an older person to his or her financial institution for withdrawals
  • Sudden nonsufficient funds activity, unpaid bills, eviction notices, or loss of belongings or property
  • Closing accounts or CDs without regard to penalty
  • Statements no longer going to the accountholder’s home
  • An older accountholder with confusion, fear, lack of awareness, failure to make eye contact, shame or reluctance to talk about the problem, or implausible explanations given about the person’s finances
  • Suspicious signatures on checks or outright forgery
  • A caretaker, relative or friend who suddenly begins conducting financial transactions on behalf of an elder without proper documentation
  • Altered wills and trusts

We all play a part in protecting our elders, if you suspect financial fraud is happening, report it immediately:

  • Contact their financial institution and explain your suspicions. Enlist help to stop and prevent its recurrence
  • Contact the local adult protective services agency for help. For state reporting numbers, visit the NCEA State Resources site or call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116
  • Report all instances of elder financial abuse to local police

Tags

  1. community
  2. elder
  3. fraud

About the Author

Liz Little (Retired) Photo

Liz Little works alongside banks and credit unions to help them effectively manage fraud preventative techniques. By researching the latest fraud trends in the EFT industry, she can guide SHAZAM participants with strategies to prevent fraud and mitigate risk.

SHAZAM, Inc. and ITS, Inc. provide this blog for general informational purposes only. Our blog may be shared by a direct link wherein the content remains as originally presented and has not been altered. SHAZAM, Inc. and ITS, Inc. assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents on the blog. By using this blog, reader agrees that the information published does not constitute nor is a substitute for legal advice which should only be sought from a qualified, licensed attorney. 

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