Characteristics of Elderly Victims

RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE FOLLOWING PERSONAL FACTORS MAY INCREASE A PERSON’S LIKELIHOOD OF BECOMING A VICTIM OF FRAUD:

SOCIALLY ISOLATED - Older adults often have lost family members and their circle of friends is shrinking. Consequently they often live alone and are increasingly isolated. Loneliness can cause them to engage in conversations with anyone who will talk to them.

Sales pitch provides social contact that they crave
Isolation deprives them of family members or friends in the immediate area from whom to seek advice.

SOCIALLY ACTIVE - May be more vulnerable to fraud simply because of increased exposure

Those with active social lives are more “visible”
They experience a broad array of consumer situations.

LACK OF KNOWLEDGE - Some seniors lack knowledge on financial, legal and insurance matters. If
a spouse has died and that spouse handled those matters, the survivor
may not be prepared to deal with those issues.

Inexperienced and unsophisticated investors are targets for fraud.

Often reluctant to admit that they do not understand what they are signing, or the consequences of their actions
Because of their limited knowledge, they may give little attention to their financial accounts.

Seniors may not be as aware of frauds, scams, and misleading practices.

The less you understand about the real world, the more likely you
are to fall victim to con artists and exploiters.

OVER-DEPENDENCE ON CAREGIVER OR ADVISOR - If older adult is dependent on one caregiver, he/she is more likely to overlook or not report abuse or exploitation by that caregiver for fear of losing the help they need.

Likely hood of abuse or exploitation increases if caregiver is:

Financially dependent on older adult
By nature a controlling individual
Or is able to further isolate the older adult.

OVERLY TRUSTING AND CHARITABLE - If older adult is overly trusting he/she is more likely to accept the word of a stranger at face value. The overly trusting adult is also more likely to trust a “friend” or relative even when what is being suggested does not make sense.

Victim projects trust on perpetrators - “He wouldn’t tell me I needed to do this if it wasn’t true.”
Overly trusting individuals are more likely to believe marketing appeals,
even if they defy logic.

OVERLY INDEPENDENT - Overly independent individuals are more vulnerable to fraud because they are resistant to seeking a second opinion. They fear that asking for advice will indicate a weakness or inability to handle their own affairs. The fear is that if they appear unable to handle their own affairs, their family may take control for them.

ANXIETY ABOUT THE ADEQUACY OF ONE’S SAVINGS OR FAILING HEALTH

Older adults who fear that their savings are inadequate to see them through life are more likely to fall for lottery/sweepstakes scams and investments that promise unrealistic returns.
Older adults with serious illnesses may be more susceptible to sales people or con artists who offer products or services that claim to restore their health.

INABILITY TO HANG UP ON TELEMARKETERS - Those who think it impolite to hang up on a telemarketer are more likely to buy what they don’t need or can’t afford, and are more likely to give sensitive information to a stranger.

HOME OWNERSHIP - Older adults are primarily home owners

Home owners are more visible, easier to get to, and are perceived as being wealthier
Older adults may be easier to find since they are not at work

MULTIPLE SOURCES OF INCOME - Criminals perceive older adults as being wealthy because they often have several sources of income

pensions, investments, savings, Social Security

Characteristics of Elderly Victims

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