Stop Elder Financial Abuse Now!

What could be more despicable than stealing and deceiving the elderly for their money? Elder financial abuse, an issue that was recently brought to the spotlight by Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney, is a crime of exploiting senior citizens for monetary gain. Rooney sued his stepson and others for tricking him into thinking he was on the brink of poverty and forcing him to continue working while they swindle millions using his name.

After the case was settled, people were suddenly more aware of this urgent matter. So, how do you recognize this crime and stop it?

Elder Financial Abuse 101

This crime involves illegal and improper use of a senior citizen's funds, resources and property. Recognizing this crime is easy, however, they mostly happen within the family. Unless other parties observe and get involved, these crimes will go unnoticed.

The crimes involved in elder financial abuse involve trickery, deception, forceful access to funds and properties of a senior citizen. Most people who are guilty of this are caregivers, fraudsters and, sadly, family members.

Here are examples of the exploitations these fraudsters commit:

-Forging the signature of an elderly to access personal checks, credit cards and other financial accounts.

-Stealing prized possessions, cash, and pension checks

-Theft of identity- Most victims of this are senile elderly. Fraudsters take advantage of the elderly's confinement in a nursing facility and use his identity for personal or business transactions. Sometimes, even healthcare companies are guilty of this crime. Some charge excessively for unnecessary healthcare services. While there are those that offer special "prizes", which in the end forces the elderly to purchase. It is a good thing there are many vigilant bank fraud lawyers who take necessary measures to fight against these problems.

How to fight elder financial abuse

Hiring a good bank fraud lawyer to investigate how an elderly's money is being spent is one way of fighting elder financial abuse.

Look for a firm that specializes on elder financial abuse cases. There are many who investigate and litigate fraud actions involving insurance and banking claims. A bank fraud lawyer in this firm will even investigate wrongful death cases.

Here are some other ways you can prevent this abuse from happening:

-Keep your communication lines open with your elderly relatives. Check up on them from time to time.

-Observe, observe, observe! Be perceptive about any behavioral or physical change.

-Do a thorough research on the background of your caregiver! It is unadvisable to choose one through an advertisement. Look for licensed and bonded agency. You may also hire an investigator to examine the credentials of your caregiver. This ensures that your relative is in good hands and the caregiver is not a convicted felon of some sort.

-Keep an inventory of all jewelry, expensive gadgets, and properties. Make sure all the valuables are stored in a safe place.

When you know somebody who may be a victim of this kind of crime, it would be best to tell the authorities or refer a good bank fraud lawyer who can help them. If you know the family and do not wish to be called as someone who meddles in family affairs, you can search the internet and find anonymous hotlines you can call.