Published in the March 18-31, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Office of Emergency Services Coordinator Jennifer Ponce at a recent discussion at Hacienda Valley Estates to discuss the issue of elder fraud. Seniors learned how to avoid being a victim and what to do if they inadvertently become a victim of financial elder abuse.
Financial fraud is the fastest growing form of elder abuse. Broadly defined, financial elder abuse is when someone illegally or improperly uses a vulnerable senior’s money or other property. Most states now have laws that make elder financial abuse a crime and provide ways to help the senior and punish the scammer.
Home Instead Senior Care in Morgan Hill was joined by Morgan Hill Police Department Cpl. Scott Purvis and Office of Emergency Services Coordinator Jennifer Ponce at a recent discussion at Hacienda Valley Estates to discuss the issue of elder fraud. Seniors learned how to avoid being a victim and what to do if they inadvertently become a victim of financial elder abuse.
Elder financial abuse is tough to combat, in part because it often goes unreported. Many elderly victims are often too confused, fearful or embarrassed by the crime to report it. One recent study reported by Consumers Digest estimated that there are at least five million cases of this abuse in the United States each year, but law enforcement or government officials learn about only one in 25 cases.
Because the growing incidence of senior scams is threatening to strip many seniors of their assets and independence, Home Instead Senior Care has launched a public education program and created a Senior Fraud Protection Kit. For more information, contact Home Instead Senior Care at (408) 370-6360.
