Your Agency Presents Exploitation of the Elderly Awareness Workshop

Our Objectives Inform Inform Communicate and Refer Communicate and Refer

INFORM INFORM

Pride – Trust- Shame Reasons for the elderly not reporting Exploitation Reasons for the elderly not reporting Exploitation

Financial Exploitation of the Elderly Who? Who? What? What? Why? Why? Who are the predators of elderly abuse? Who are the predators of elderly abuse? What is their goal? What is their goal? Why do they exploit the elderly? Why do they exploit the elderly?

Who? Caretakers Caretakers Relatives Relatives Strangers Strangers New Friends New Friends

What do these predators want? Control Control Power of Attorney Power of Attorney Property Property Cash Cash Jewelry Jewelry Social Security checks Social Security checks Pension Checks Pension Checks Prescription Drugs Prescription Drugs

Why do these predators exploit the elderly ? Personal Gain Personal Gain Rationalization Rationalization Revenge Revenge Opportunity Opportunity Elderly sometimes seen as being vulnerable Elderly sometimes seen as being vulnerable

Financial Exploitation of the Vulnerable Adults In 1992, persons 65 or older experienced about 2.1 million criminal victimizations In 1992, persons 65 or older experienced about 2.1 million criminal victimizations Financial abuse of vulnerable adults accounts for 32.2 percent of all reported abuse cases. A vulnerable adult is any adult over the age of 18 who is not capable of taking care of themselves physically or financially. Financial abuse of vulnerable adults accounts for 32.2 percent of all reported abuse cases. A vulnerable adult is any adult over the age of 18 who is not capable of taking care of themselves physically or financially.

REFER and COMMUNICATE

HELP FOR THE ELDERLY The Criminal Justice System Your Sheriff’s Office, your local Police Department The Criminal Justice System Your Sheriff’s Office, your local Police Department Social Agencies Social Agencies Helping Yourself Helping Yourself

INFORM- Questions to Ask INFORM- Questions to Ask Ask questions. For instance: Is there a caretaker? Ask questions. For instance: Is there a caretaker? Look for signs of neglect, physical or financial. Look for signs of neglect, physical or financial. Look for signs of Dependence by the Elderly – Is the person a relative? Look for signs of Dependence by the Elderly – Is the person a relative? What does the caretaker gain from helping? What does the caretaker gain from helping?

INFORM-Questions to Ask Is the caretaker cooperating with the authorities? Is the caretaker cooperating with the authorities? Is the caretaker being honest? Is the caretaker being honest? Is this caretaker a new interest in the elderly subject’s life? Is this caretaker a new interest in the elderly subject’s life? Is this caretaker looking to disempower the elderly subject? Is this caretaker looking to disempower the elderly subject?

Signs of financial abuse include An elderly person is accompanied by a stranger who encourages him/her to withdraw large sums of money An elderly person is accompanied by a stranger who encourages him/her to withdraw large sums of money Unusual bank activity made against his / her accounts Unusual bank activity made against his / her accounts Someone else cashing checks against his/her accounts Someone else cashing checks against his/her accounts

Signs of financial abuse include Power of attorney executed by a confused elderly person Power of attorney executed by a confused elderly person (Exceptions may include – Health care proxies ) (Exceptions may include – Health care proxies ) New acquaintances who suddenly take up residency New acquaintances who suddenly take up residency Elderly person’s appearance is unkempt Elderly person’s appearance is unkempt Elderly person is not allowed to make his/her own decisions Elderly person is not allowed to make his/her own decisions

Signs of financial abuse include Questionable signatures on important documents Questionable signatures on important documents Suspicious activity on credit cards Suspicious activity on credit cards Elderly person has utilities disconnected in his/her home (electricity, water, telephone, etc.) Elderly person has utilities disconnected in his/her home (electricity, water, telephone, etc.)

Why is Elderly Exploitation prevalent in Society?

Why is Elderly Exploitation prevalent in Society? Often, abuse of the elderly person’s finances happens when someone he/she trusts is acting on his/her behalf. Remember, an elderly victim may be extremely vulnerable and in need of your help. Often, abuse of the elderly person’s finances happens when someone he/she trusts is acting on his/her behalf. Remember, an elderly victim may be extremely vulnerable and in need of your help.

How can the Sheriff's Office and Justice System help you?

How can your Sheriff’s Office help you. Deputies may be called upon by neighbors or relatives to check on an elderly person in need. The Deputy on call should investigate beneath the surface. It is not unusual for everything to seem OK when it is not. Take some time and talk to the individual to see if anything seems out of the ordinary. Pride might keep the person from talking. So, be aware of the person’s body language and surrounding environment. Deputies may be called upon by neighbors or relatives to check on an elderly person in need. The Deputy on call should investigate beneath the surface. It is not unusual for everything to seem OK when it is not. Take some time and talk to the individual to see if anything seems out of the ordinary. Pride might keep the person from talking. So, be aware of the person’s body language and surrounding environment.

Investigative procedure: Obtaining an affidavit waiver of signature. This must be signed by the person filing the complaint. It enables the detective to talk with representatives of the financial institutions and other locations where checks may have been cashed. Obtaining an affidavit waiver of signature. This must be signed by the person filing the complaint. It enables the detective to talk with representatives of the financial institutions and other locations where checks may have been cashed.

Investigative operating procedures which include: Running a background check on the suspect for prior arrest Running a background check on the suspect for prior arrest Asking for any evidence of misappropriation of funds (bank statements, canceled checks, missing cash, etc.). Asking for any evidence of misappropriation of funds (bank statements, canceled checks, missing cash, etc.). Checking credit card activity Checking credit card activity

Operating Procedures which include: Obtaining a search warrant to access bank records. Even though the records can be obtained by the holder of the account, the warrant helps to protect the bank from possible legal actions by the accused. Obtaining a search warrant to access bank records. Even though the records can be obtained by the holder of the account, the warrant helps to protect the bank from possible legal actions by the accused.

Helpful Tips from Sheriff Manfre What do I do when a door to door salesperson/solicitor refuses to leave? What do I do when a door to door salesperson/solicitor refuses to leave? Answer: Call the Sheriff’s Office or your local Police department. Answer: Call the Sheriff’s Office or your local Police department. The Solicitor is required by Law to leave when your invitation is removed, and can be arrested and a Trespass Warning can be issued The Solicitor is required by Law to leave when your invitation is removed, and can be arrested and a Trespass Warning can be issued

Helpful Tips from Sheriff Manfre What do I do when Phone solicitors persist and call all hours of the night and or ask or demand personal information? What do I do when Phone solicitors persist and call all hours of the night and or ask or demand personal information? Answer: NEVER give your date of birth, address, social security number over the phone to a solicitor. Legitimate sales personnel will verify your information and not ask you for it. Answer: NEVER give your date of birth, address, social security number over the phone to a solicitor. Legitimate sales personnel will verify your information and not ask you for it. Late calls, with invitation withdrawn may be harassment – Call your Local Sheriff’s Office Late calls, with invitation withdrawn may be harassment – Call your Local Sheriff’s Office

How can Industry help avoid the Exploitation of the elderly? Financial Abuse of Elderly Targeted Bank Employees To Receive Training To Combat Exploitation Financial Abuse of Elderly Targeted Bank Employees To Receive Training To Combat Exploitation Many States provided training to Bank Tellers to recognize Elderly Exploitation Many States provided training to Bank Tellers to recognize Elderly Exploitation

Florida Website in the fight against elderly exploitation This is a Website supported by Attorney General Office of the State of Florida Region #3 Director /Seniors Vs Crime Project,Director David Blacklock This is a Website supported by Attorney General Office of the State of Florida Region #3 Director /Seniors Vs Crime Project,Director David Blacklock Flagler County Coordinators for Seniors Vs Crimes Phone & Flagler County Coordinators for Seniors Vs Crimes Phone & 1) Deputy John M Gaspar 1) Deputy John M Gaspar 2) Detective Jeff Stuart 2) Detective Jeff Stuart U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Department of Justice

Elderly Exploitation If you or another feel that you are being Exploited Contact your Local Police Department and have them respond to help you evaluate your concerns. If you or another feel that you are being Exploited Contact your Local Police Department and have them respond to help you evaluate your concerns.

Summary INFORM, COMMUNICATE & REFER INFORM, COMMUNICATE & REFER Elderly Exploitation is prevented, detected, and resolved when the elderly, their families, communities, businesses, financial institutions, and Criminal Justice System work together to communicate, and support the needs of our growing elderly population. Elderly Exploitation is prevented, detected, and resolved when the elderly, their families, communities, businesses, financial institutions, and Criminal Justice System work together to communicate, and support the needs of our growing elderly population.

Summary Refer elderly abuse to the proper Law Enforcement Agency Refer elderly abuse to the proper Law Enforcement Agency Remember if it doesn’t look right, question it. Remember if it doesn’t look right, question it.