Signs of Financial Fraud of the Elderly

Brenda Charles-EdwardsNational Notary Association Ambassador for Washington State

I. What is the Abuse and Who is Affected?

II. What are the Most Popular Scams?

III. Ways to Protect Yourself

IV. How You can Help Fight Elder Abuse

Brenda Charles-Edwards, National Notary Association Ambassador for Washington State

Topics of Discussion

I. What is the Abuse and Who is Affected?

II. What are the Most Popular Scams?

III. Ways to Protect Yourself

IV. How You can Help Fight Elder Abuse

I. What is the Abuse and Who is Affected?

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• Americans age 60+ lose nearly $3 billion a year to financial abuse.

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• Funds are vanishing from accounts, belongings are vanishing from the house, and bills go unpaid. Or, your loved one is confused about financial transactions.

Americans age 60+ lose nearly $3 billion a year to financial abuse. That’s 5 million olderAmericans who get duped annually. According to studies by the Consumer Law Center, sham telemarketers direct 56-80% of their calls at older people. And, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for every case that is reported, 43 are not. In the meantime, here are signs that may mean trouble:

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• A family member is not forthcoming about mom or dad’s finances.

1. Funds are vanishing from accounts, belongings are vanishing from the house, and bills go unpaid. Or, your loved one is confused about financial transactions.

2. Spending habits have changed and all of a sudden she’s secretive about money or says she needs more. Or there are unexplained credit card charges.

Brenda Charles-Edwards, National Notary Association Ambassador for Washington State

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• Property titles, refinanced mortgages, deeds, wills, trusts or other documents have inexplicable changes.

2. Spending habits have changed and all of a sudden she’s secretive about money or says she needs more. Or there are unexplained credit card charges.

Edwards, National Notary Association Ambassador for Washington State

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How to Identify the Abuser

Relationship of Abuser• Son 29%• Daughter 24%• Spouse 8%• Grandchild 7%• Multiple Family 11%• Other Family 15%• Friend 6%

NeverAssumeAnything

3. A family member is not forthcoming about Mom or Dad’s finances.

4. A new person has befriended your parent, a friend, or you to the point of weirdness. This person’s name has been added on a joint account and/or has power of attorney.

Brenda Charles-Edwards, National Notary Association Ambassador for Washington State

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I. Questions on the Abuse and Who is Affected?

What is the Abuse and Who is Affected?

Property titles, refinanced mortgages, deeds, wills, trusts or other documents have inexplicable changes.

Brenda Charles-Edwards, National Notary Association Ambassador for Washington State

Session Number 000

II. What are the Most Common Scams?

• Everyone is at risk of financial abuse, even people without high incomes or assets.

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• Healthcare/Medicare/Health Insurance Fraud

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• Medicare number fraud.

Review Medicare statements to be sure you have in fact received the services billed, and report suspicious activities to 1-800-MEDICARE

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• Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

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• Funeral and Cemetery Scams

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• Fraudulent Anti-Aging Products

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• Homeowner/Reverse Mortgage Scams

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• Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams

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• The Grandparent Scam

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II. Questions about Most Common Scams?

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III. Ways to Protect Yourself

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If you’re a family member or caregiver, here are some ways you can help protect yourself or loved ones in your life:

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• Plan ahead to protect your assets and ensure that your wishes are followed.

Keep your identification cards current:• Driver’s License• Passport

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• Be aware that you are at risk from strangers— and from those closest to you.

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Common tactics include:

*Depleting a joint checking account *Promising but not delivering care in exchange for money or property

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Common tactics include:

*Outright theft and other forms of abuse *Including physical abuse, threats intimidation and neglect of basic care needs

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•Don't isolate yourself —stay involved!

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• Always tell solicitors: “I never buy from (or give to) anyone who calls or visits me unannounced. Send me something in writing.”

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It's also good practice to obtain:• A salesperson's name • Business identity• Telephone number • Street address • Mailing address• Business license number before you transact business.

And always take your time in making a decision.

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• Shred all receipts with your credit card number. Identity theft is a huge business. To protect yourself, invest in —and use —apaper shredder.

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Monitor your bank and credit card statements and never give out personal information over the phone to someone who initiates the contact with you.

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• Sign up for the “Do Not Call” list and take yourself off multiple mailing lists.Visit www.donotcall.gov to stop telemarketers from contacting you.

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• Use direct deposit for benefit checks to prevent checks from being stolen from the mailbox.

• Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security, Medicare, or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.

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• Be skeptical of all unsolicited offers and do thorough research.

• Be an informed consumer. Take the time to call and shop around before making a purchase.

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Be an informed consumer. Take the time

• Also, carefully read all contracts and purchasing agreements before signing and make certain that all of your requirements have been put in writing.

• Understand all contract cancellation and refund terms.

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• Be careful with your mail. Do not let incoming mail sit in your mailbox for a long time.

• When sending out sensitive mail, consider dropping it off at a secure collection box or directly at the post office.

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You also can regularly monitor your credit ratings and check on any unusual or incorrect activity: www.AnnualCreditReport.com.

To get more tips on protecting yourself from fraud, visit www.Onguardonline.gov, which has interactive games to help you be a smarter consumer on issues related to spyware, lottery scams and other swindles.

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III. Questions about Ways to Protect Yourself?

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IV. How You can Help Fight Elder Abuse

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Calendar Note:

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How You can Help Fight Elder Abuse

• Turn your Facebook photo purple on June 15th.

• Post information about elder abuse to your website, blog, Twitter, Instagram or other social networking sites.

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• Wear a purple awareness ribbon as a conversation starter.

• One of the leading red-flags of elder abuse and neglect, is social isolation.

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• Notaries can also report suspected abuse.

Call 1-866-ENDHARM (1-866-363-4276)

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Questions on How You can Help Fight Elder Abuse?

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Black Orchid Notary“Tell me where,

I’ll meet you there!”

Brenda Charles-EdwardsMobile Notary PublicCertified Signing SpecialistNNA AmbassadorPhone: 206.683.2636Fax: 206.328.6428Email: brenda@blackorchidnotary.com

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