Elder Fraud | Federal Bureau of Investigation
Millions of elderly Americans fall prey to financial fraud or deception schemes, such as romance, lottery, and sweepstakes scams, to name a few.
Elder fraud is likely to become a growing problem as the elderly population grows. Criminals will gain their targets’ trust through computer, phone, and mail, and once successful, scammers will likely keep a scheme going because of the potential for significant financial gain.
How do you report someone taking advantage of the elderly?
Call 1800 628 221 from anywhere in the world.
What is it called when you steal from the elderly?
Financial elder abuse (also known as “senior fraud”) is on the rise, and it can range from as simple as stealing money from an elderly person’s wallet to as complex as fraudulently taking control of an elder’s estate. And…as with many California crimes…
How do you prove exploitation of the elderly?
In order to win a financial elder abuse claim in California, you must show that the abuse occurred u201cmore likely than not,u201d that the victim was 65 (or dependent) at the time of the abuse, and that the perpetrator knew or should have known that their actions were likely to harm the elderly victim.
What is it called when someone takes advantage of an elderly person?
(7) The term “exploitation” refers to the act or process of a person or caregiver taking advantage of an elderly person for monetary, personal, or other gain, profit, or benefit.
What are signs of elder financial abuse?
Elder Financial Abuse Warning Signs
- Forgeries on legal documents or checks.
- Large bank withdrawals or transfers between accounts.
- Missing belongings or property.
- Mood changes (such as depression or anxiety).
- New changes to an elder’s will or power of attorney.
Who investigates elder financial abuse?
The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network also collects fraud reports for national metropolitan statistical areas, scam prevalence by region, and reports of fraud complaints from people aged 50 and up. National Institute of Justice site with research findings on elder financial abuse.
What is the fastest growing form of elder abuse?
There are a variety of reasons for this, including embarrassment, fear of losing their independence, or an inability to fully recognize that a fraud has occurred.
What to do if an elderly person is scammed?
There’s no need to be embarrassed; report senior citizen scams to Adult Protective Services as well as your local police. If you get a call from someone posing as an IRS agent or another government agency, report it to that agency as well.
Which act is considered financial abuse of an elder?
How difficult is it to prove elder abuse?
While state law requires that elder abuse be reported, the high level of proof required for criminal charges is often elusive. It is especially difficult to prove that a victim has been defrauded or stolen from if the abuser has legal documents such as a power of attorney.
What age is elderly abuse?
The crime of elder abuse is defined by California Penal Code 368 PC as inflicting physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation on a victim who is 65 years of age or older. It can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony, and it can result in up to four years in jail or prison.
Which are examples of financial abuse of the elderly?
Stealing money, jewelry, or personal belongings; intercepting cash or checks; fraudulently convincing an elder to hand over money and/or personal belongings are all examples of financial elder abuse.