Warning Signs of Possible Exploitation
WARNING SIGNS OF POSSIBLE EXPLOITATION
- Unusual activity in bank accounts, numerous withdrawals from ATM’s, overdrawn accounts, credit cards maxed out.
- Caregiver tries to isolate the victim who comes to rely solely on the caregiver. Caregiver tells the older adult that family and friends no longer want to see him/her.
- Caregiver has total control over finances and has all financial statements mailed to him or her. Or caregiver is evasive about the adult’s finances, and may refuse to spend money on the adult’s care.
- New acquaintance(s) appear on the scene and express gushy, undying affection for the older adult.
- The older adult is either completely charmed, or fearful of the caregiver.
- Adult is living well below his/her means and complaining of not having enough money, food, heat, or is poorly dressed.
- Personal belongings such as jewelry, antiques or silverware are missing. Driver’s license, social security card or other sensitive documents may also be missing.
- Power of Attorney is given or other legal documents (will, sale of property, etc.) are signed when the adult is clearly not capable of understanding what they have done
- Caregiver or other in position of trust promises life-long care in exchange for a change in the adult’s will or deeding of property to caregiver.
- Adult is engaging in or has engaged in legal or financial matters with no comprehension as to what was done or why it was done.
- Family member, with no previous interest in adult’s well being, moves in to help care for adult, but has no Independent source of income, and is relying on older adult’s resources.
- Numerous unpaid bills, overdue rent, when a caregiver is to be paying.
- Eviction notice arrives when adult thought they owned the house.
- Adult receives lots of mail for contests, free trips, prizes and sweepstakes.
- Adult gets frequent calls from strangers offering great deals or asking for charitable contributions.
- Adult subscribes to more magazines than one person could normally read or receives lots of cheap items that he/she purchased in order to increase his/her chances of winning something.
victims and the only way to get off may be to abandon the old number.
