Keeping Our Loved Ones S.A.F.E. (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation)

Objectives: Define Financial Exploitation List Key Terms and Facts Describe Warning Signs of Financial Exploitation Explain How You Can Report It

Financial Exploitation Vulnerable Adult’s or Elder Adult’s property or funds are misused May happen without the victim’s consent or the victim is tricked, intimidated, or forced to give consent May happen if the victim is not competent to give consent

Types of Financial Exploitation Type I: Personal Relationships Type II: Scam Artists - Theft- Undue influence - Mismanagement- Misrepresentation - Forgery- Fraud - Confidence schemes- Internet scams - Mail fraud- Telephone fraud - Identity theft

Personal Relationships

Scam Artists

Latest Scam: “Jamaican Lottery”

Key Terms to Remember Vulnerable Adult: –An adult (over 18) who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for his or her daily needs Elder Adult: –Individual who is 65 years old or older Financial Exploitation: –Any action which involves the misuse of a vulnerable adult’s funds or property

Key Terms to Remember (continued) Adult Protection Services: –Local Department of Social Services that receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults Competent: –Able to understand the situation, the implications, and consequences of any choice Suspect: –Any individual who reasonably appears to be engaged in some form of exploitation

Facts Reality Check: Growing old is a fact of Life! The number of older Marylanders is increasing. More than 10,000 baby boomers will reach age 65 each day for the next 18 years or so

Facts (continued) The Office of Older Americans of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimates that seniors are losing $2.9 billion a year to financial abuse One out of every five citizens older than or 7.3 million older Americans -- have been victimized in some way by a financial fraud. according to a 2010 Investor Protection Trust survey conducted by Infogroup/ORC.

Facts (continued) Marylanders aged 60 and over with functional disabilities related to mobility or personal care, totaled 237,004 in the 2000 U.S. Census. Financial Exploitation robs victims of their hard earned savings. Retirement plans can often be ruined.

Facts (continued) Elderly victims are too often ashamed or worry about losing their independence and will not talk about it or call the police. As of October 1, 2012, reporting of suspected Financial Exploitation of elder adults is now mandatory by Financial Institutions in Maryland.

Warning Signs of Exploitation Becomes suddenly distant or isolated from neighbors, family, or friends. Not allowed to speak for themselves or make decisions With an acquaintance who appears to be overly interested in their financial status A sudden change in the member’s normal banking behavior

Warning Signs of Exploitation (continued) Person can not remember financial transactions or signing legal documents Receives frequent calls or mail from outside the U.S. Appears nervous or afraid of the person accompanying them Automobile is frequently missing from their drive-away or is gone at night.

Warning Signs of Exploitation (continued) Frequent withdrawals by ATM Substandard care being provided or bills unpaid despite availability of adequate financial resources Suspicious signatures on checks, credit card applications, or auto loan documents The provision of services that are not necessary

Warning Signs of Exploitation (continued) Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions and burns may be a sign of physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. Behavior such as belittling, threats, or other uses of power and control by a caregiver or family member Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, change in alertness, or unusual depression exhibited

Okay, now what do I do? Talk to the person. Ask friendly questions. –Try to learn the background details Try to separate the person from the suspect. Report it.

How to Report It 1.Gather as much facts about the incident as you can. 2.Call the Adult Protective Service Office for the City or County that the victim lives in. 3.Remember to provide: Who, What, Where The contact phone numbers- you and the victim.

Note on Reporting: Persons who report the need for Adult Protective Services are protected under the law. Section of the Family Law Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, states “any person who in good faith makes or participates in making a report under this subtitle or participates in an investigation or a judicial proceeding resulting from a report under this subtitle is immune from any civil liability that would otherwise result.”

Resources for Help Maryland Department of Aging aging.maryland.gov Maryland Department of Human Resources dhr.state.md.us/blog/?page_id= DC Department of Human Services dhs.dc.gov/service/adult-protective-services APS Hotline: Virginia APS Hotline: dss.virginia.gov/abuse/index2.cgi

Questions? S.A.F.E. (Stop Adult Financial Exploitation)