Financial Abuse is a growing concern in the senior community. In this day in age and with the economy being the way that it is people have become more desperate and have turned to other means of living.  Seniors need to be more aware of their surroundings as they are vulnerable to these types of abuse. 

What is Financial Abuse?

Financial abuse includes the theft or misuse of someone’s money by a trusted individual.  This includes the following activities

• committing fraud
• getting money by lying what is needed
• forging checks
• cashing someone else’s check without permission
• using someone’s ATM card without permission
• forcing someone to transfer property
• keeping someone away from his or her own home or money
• providing healthcare services to a patient that are not really needed

Signs of financial abuse

• Can’t pay their bills for housing, food, basic clothing or medications even though they seem like they have enough money to do so.
• Get credit card bills for stores they have never been to.
• Seem anxious about or don’t know where their money is going.
• Talk about having to give money to others.
• Have a family member who complains constantly about how much the patients care is costing.
• Have family members who appear suddenly and claim they have a right to the patient’s money.

What can you do about financial abuse?

Watch your loved ones carefully for signs of financial abuse.

Call Elder Abuse Hotline at (866)800-1409