In the past, we have written in-depth on our blog about how to spot financial abuse among elderly people you love. The second question many clients ask, which is perhaps an even more important question, is what to do in the face of possible financial elder abuse. There is no…
Elder financial abuse, by definition, is when an individual takes money or other assets away from an older person without permission. Unfortunately, when older people begin to exhibit signs of memory loss or decreased mental functioning, this kind of abuse is more likely to occur. Thus, as your loved ones…
Unfortunately, elder abuse is all too common. But the abuse is not only physical or psychological but also financial: seemingly legitimate brokers can manipulate and steal from aging communities, especially those with limited competence or memory issues. In 2019, $25 million was lost from individuals over 60 due to investment…
Medical emergencies, especially among aging individuals, can result in long-term rehabilitation and financial distress. Planning ahead for these emergencies is crucial, not only to preserve your assets and your independence but also to protect yourself from unscrupulous practices. According to a recent article, a woman has filed a lawsuit alleging…
“In 2018, 9.4% of all reports to BBB’s ScamTracker came from military personnel, veterans or their spouses, BBB of Metropolitan New York said.” The scam victims who were military personnel, veterans or their spouses reported higher median losses than non-military consumers, the BBB said. nj.com says in its recent article…
There are definitely advantages to all the perks of fame and fortune that come with being a celebrity. However, aging celebrities are just as vulnerable as regular people, when it comes to elder financial abuse. The major difference is that their stories are reported in the news. Recent news stories…
The number of seniors being exploited or abused quadrupled from 2013-2017. Tracked now by a number of financial institutions that submit data to FinCEN, a federal government watchdog agency, elder abuse has become a national epidemic. More than 180,000 Suspicious Activity Reports submitted by banks to the federal government were…
This is a cautionary tale about what can happen, when the wrong person is given power of attorney. The problem here is that a man changed his power of attorney without any review or oversight from any family members, including his own wife. Why Dorothy Jorgenson’s husband changed his power…
“Iowa Senator Charles Grassley is among those in Congress calling for a crackdown on elder abuse crimes in the country.” The witnesses of loved ones affected by elder abuse incidents testified at a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing in Washington. Those witnesses included Pat Blank, longtime Iowa Public Radio host,…
Virginia is taking steps to protect seniors and other vulnerable individuals against financial exploitation, by giving financial institutions more resources to prevent this growing crime. With bipartisan support, the state House and Senate of Virginia have passed versions of State Bill 1490, which encourages financial institutions to have more leeway…