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How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse
Fraud & Security

How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Last week’s column discussed telephone fraudsters and other senior scams to watch out for, especially this time of year. Unfortunately, older individuals are easy targets because we’re lonely and miss the constant companionship we enjoyed at work. Or we’re lonely because the spouse has passed and the adult children have busy lives. How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse
That leaves seniors open to a seemingly pleasant, trustworthy, and slick professionals who use the telephone in a friendly and engaging manner and traps us with kind words and attention. Scammers are smart and well-trained. They know exactly what to say to get you to listen and trust them.
Financial abuse is rampant, both online and on the telephone, and even via the mail. Since consumers shop via the computer, a lot of our private and personal information is accessible without us knowing about it.
The most favorable way to keep your money, credit cards, and other assets safe is to monitor the financial activity very closely. If you don’t bank online, have your adult child or a trusted family member to open an online account with your permission. Then they can keep tabs to see what goes out of the account. But obviously, you need to trust them very much before doing this step.
Here are other ways to stay safe and secure, ones that reduce the chances of financial abuse.

  • Never give out your personal information to anyone on the phone, mail or internet
  • Never respond to an offer that you do not understand
  • Ask for a work bid in writing and only pay when you receive the agreed upon work
  • Always shred credit card receipts or statements
  • Safeguard your Medicare, Social Security, and Credit Cards and Numbers
  • Do not sign any blank forms or give blanket authorizations
  • Do not do business with telephone or door-to-door salespeople (unless you know them or have done business with them)
  • Be wary of free deals
  • Do not let anyone pressure you into buying anything
  • Don’t buy from unknown businesses
  • Don’t fall for phone scams where the caller masquerades as your grandchild saying they need money

The FBI says if you are age 60 or older-and especially if you are an older woman living alone-you may be a special target of people who sell bogus products and services by telephone. Telemarketing scams often involve offers of free prizes, low-cost vitamins and healthcare products, and inexpensive vacations.
If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact the Adult Protective Services in your area, call the Eldercare Locator, a government-sponsored national resource line, at 1-800-677-1116, or visit their website at www.eldercare.gov.
Sign up for my newsletter – send an email to Carol@Seniorcare.com and write “sign me up” in the subject line.

How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse

How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse How to Spot Financial Elder Abuse

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Tips to Reduce Financial Elder Abuse
Fraud & Security

Tips to Reduce Financial Elder Abuse

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Each day there are more and more scams affecting the ones we love. Financial elder abuse is on the rise as scammers continue to target vulnerable seniors. With increased information on the Internet today, more of our personal information can be used to take advantage of us. Here are some great tips to reduce financial elder abuse:

Good general tips/reminders to prevent fraud:

  • Never give out personal information to anyone on the phone, mail or internet
  • Never respond to an offer that you do not understand
  • Ask for it in writing and pay only when you have received a performed service
  • Do not toss credit card receipts or statements in the trash whole – ALWAYS SHRED IT!

Healthcare & health insurance Fraud

  • Guard your cards (Medicare, Social Security, and Credit Card Numbers) – Do not give the information on any of these cards to just anyone.
  • Do not sign blank insurance forms or give blanket authorizations.
  • Do not do business with telephone or door-to-door salespeople.
  • Check with your doctor if your prescription bottle looks suspicious.
  • Medicare will not call you.

Investments & Reverse Mortgage Scams

  • Do not respond to unsolicited requests.
  • Do not sign any documents from unsolicited persons.
  • Be wary of anybody offering a free deal.

Funeral & Cemetery Fraud

  • Don’t let the salespeople pressure you into immediate purchases.
  • Understand contract terms, basic fees and extra services.

Telemarketing/Internet Fraud

  • Phone and Computer Scams- if it sounds too good to be true, hang up or log off.
  • Hang up if you hear phrases “free,” ‘’low cost,” or “act now.”
  • Don’t buy from unknown companies.
  • Don’t pay for anything until you receive it.
  • Grandparent phone scam- Caller masquerades as your grandchild saying they are in trouble and need money. Tips to Reduce Financial Elder Abuse
  • IRS phone scam- Caller masquerades as IRS you saying you owe back taxes- or a person acting as a detective that there is a warrant out for your arrest.

Charity Scams

  • Do not disclose any personal or financial information.
  • Check and see that the charity is registered with the state. Qualified charities will not ask for all this information.

 

Remember to check on elderly neighbors if they live alone or maybe their children live far away. If you start to notice another car in their driveway or a new friend- check it out. You can always call the Orange County Adult Protective Services (APS) if you feel something is not right and APS will perform a wellness check on your neighbor to make sure they are not being taken advantage of. If we look out for each other we can help stop some of the abuse that we hear about each day.

  • If you are unsure – Call First. There are many resources for you.
  • Adult Protective Services (APS) 1-800-451-5155
  • Local Police- Economic Crimes Division
  • Council on Aging (714) 479-0107 (Council on Aging Orange County, CA)

 

By MEGAN PIERPONT, Wealth Manager @ Apriem Advisors

Tips to Reduce Financial Elder Abuse

Tips to Reduce Financial Elder Abuse Tips to Reduce Financial Elder Abuse

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How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?
Caregiving

How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Assisted Care, Not Insisted Care: Where Do You Draw the Line When It Comes to Proper Care?

Elder abuse has become an unfortunate reality for our aging population. News stories of seniors becoming the victims of abuse or neglect are all too common these days. According to a recent study conducted by the Nursing Home Abuse Center, it is estimated that between one and two million Americans, age 65 and older have been mistreated, exploited or injured by a caregiver. Unfortunately, seniors become targets of abuse because they may not have a real voice or understand what is happening around them. You can prevent your aging family from being abused by following these tips. How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

Be Proactive

If you’re aging family member is placed in an assisted living or nursing home, the first step to take to prevent abuse is to be proactive by checking on your loved one regularly. Regularly visiting the nursing home can help you to spot red flags and address any issues before they become a problem. Frequent visits will also show the staff that you will be observing their activities, which can help to decrease the overall occurrence of abuse.

Encourage them to Talk to You

If your elderly family member is being abused, they may be embarrassed or unsure what to do if about the situation. This is why it is so important to keep the lines of communication open, so they will feel more comfortable talking to you about potential issues. If they do ever express concern, talk to them seriously and investigate accordingly. Unfortunately, all too often, we dismiss their complaints as being nonsense or untruthful, which can lead to the abuse continuing.

Keep an Eye out for Warning Signs

According to National Center on Elder Abuse neglect is the most common form of elder abuse, followed by physical abuse. If you notice any of the following physical or emotional issues, it may be a sign that your loved one is being abused.

  • Sudden weight loss
  • Withdrawn behavior
  • Unexplained changes in mood or behavior
  • Bedsores
  • Dehydration
  • Malnutrition
  • Unsanitary conditions
  • Unexplained bruises or cuts

If you notice any of these signs, it is crucial that you address it immediately.

Immediately Report Abuse and Neglect

If you believe that your loved one isn’t receiving the care they need and deserve, it is imperative to report it immediately. The sooner you report it, the sooner you can begin to make the appropriate changes to protect your loved ones. If you feel like your loved one might be in danger, don’t hesitate to call 911 and report the abuse immediately. If you uncover abuse or neglect, you may want to seek legal help with abuse in assisted care facilities to discuss your legal options.
If you suspect the nursing home or assisted living facility where you’re loved one life is abusing or neglecting them, it is up to you to stop it. Always be vigilant and take concerns seriously. Elder abuse has become a real issue, and you have the power to stop it and prevent it from happening to anyone else.

How do you spot Elder Abuse in Assisted Care?

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