| Financial abuse and material exploitation of the | | | | a pattern of multiple warning signs may suggest |
| elderly may not cause physical injuries or leave | | | | that a problem is present. |
| scars, but it can have devastating effects and ruin | | | | The following are warning signs of financial elder |
| the lives of victims. An elder's entire life savings | | | | abuse: |
| can disappear, leaving the victim unable to provide | | | | - Unusual bank account activity, such as ATM |
| for his or her own needs and causing harmful | | | | withdrawals at a bank the elder cannot travel to |
| stress and agitation. | | | | - Signatures on checks and documents that do |
| Financial elder abuse and material exploitation | | | | not match the elder's signature |
| occur when an abuser uses an elder's money or | | | | - Checks or documents signed despite the fact |
| assets in a manner contrary to elder's wishes, | | | | elder cannot write or understand what he/she is |
| needs, or best interests, or for the abuser's | | | | signing |
| personal gain. Oftentimes, elderly victims are | | | | - Unexplained change in spending patterns or |
| exploited because of vulnerabilities associated with | | | | unusual/out of character purchases |
| advanced age, such as impaired mental capacity. | | | | - Unusual medical charges or nursing home |
| Abusers can be caregivers in nursing homes or | | | | charges |
| assisted living facilities, professionals hired by the | | | | - Generous gifts to a person the elder has only |
| elder (such as accountants), strangers, or family | | | | met recently |
| members. | | | | - Change in lawyer or bank for unknown reason |
| Financial elder abuse can take many forms. The | | | | - Change in who has power of attorney for |
| abuser may steal money or items from the | | | | unknown reason |
| elder's bank account or home, sell or transfer | | | | - Stranger who initiates close relationship with |
| property against the elder's wishes, use the elder's | | | | elder and offers to manage finances and assets |
| credit cards for unauthorized purchases, use the | | | | Factors which make elders susceptible to financial |
| elder's name to open new credit accounts, or | | | | abuse include isolation, loneliness, physical and/or |
| create or change a living trust or will for the | | | | mental disabilities, and lack of familiarity with |
| abuser's benefit. Financial elder abuse also can take | | | | financial issues. Elder financial exploitation often |
| the form of telemarketing fraud, identity theft, | | | | goes unreported. The senior may be unaware |
| predatory lending, and home improvement and | | | | that exploitation is taking place or feels afraid of |
| estate planning scams. | | | | the abuser. The elder victim may also be |
| Unexplained behavioral changes, such as sudden | | | | embarrassed or worried about being labeled senile |
| secrecy or reluctance to speak freely, may be | | | | or too demanding. If you suspect that an elderly |
| warning signs of financial elder abuse. If an elder | | | | loved is a victim of financial abuse, it is important |
| appears withdrawn, helpless, frightened, or angry, | | | | to take action. Reporting financial elder abuse can |
| this may also indicate that abuse is taking place. | | | | save the assets, dignity, and health of an elder. |
| Some of the warning signs of financial elder abuse | | | | Contacting law enforcement officials and an elder |
| can be explained by other causes, and no single | | | | law attorney are two of the first steps that |
| indicator can be taken as decisive proof. However, | | | | should be taken. |