Identity Theft-Protecting The Elderly

Elderly Identity Theft

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By Christine McDonald

Recently, a friend’s grandparent had an in-home care provider. After time, the in-home care provider and grandparent formed a relationship and trust. Sadly, the family found out when the care provider was going to the grocery store for them, she was swiping the card twice. Receiving cash back and purchases for herself.

How do we protect our elderly, our parents, and grandparents? Most private duty agencies hire properly with checking all background and digging in deep into applicant’s past history.

“Financial crimes against the elderly generally fall under two general categories: fraud committed by strangers and financial exploitation by relatives and/or caregivers,” states Popcenters.org Crimes Against Elderly.

5 Potential Signs Someone is Stealing from an Elderly Patient

  • Receipts that don’t add up
  • Frequent cell phone use on the job
  • Cultivating a personal connection
  • Manipulation and missing work bids for sympathy
  • Missing work on Mondays

*from caring.com

Awareness of a different time is crucial to talk about with our elderly. It is important to remind them not everyone is trust worthy. Some ways to protect the elderly from identity theft:

  • Have a family member check all balances regarding checkbooks and credit cards.
  • If a caregiver is running errands for an elderly person, have cash set aside for them and always keep receipts for tally purposes.
  • If a credit card has to be given, always ask for receipts. This shows your care provider you are current on financial matters and follow through.

Senior living facilities like The Heritage in Brentwood have found solutions to the identity theft issue, by having a “cash less” community.

Marketing Director Judy Good explained, “The Heritage is a life plan community. That allows flexibility, independence, and support. It’s a cash less society. The residents have to sign off on any and all transactions. Example the in house beauty salon, meals, beverages, and postal services.” Everything is kept simple and easy. “Everything is billed,” said Good. “Its a very secure way of handling money.”

Financial exploitation with care providers does occur when the offender steals, withholds, or otherwise misuses an elderly victims’ money, property, or valuables for personal gain. Their methods can include the following:

• simply taking the elder’s money, property, or valuables
• borrowing money (sometimes repeatedly) and not paying it back
• denying services or medical care to conserve funds
• giving away or selling the elder’s possessions without permission
• signing or cashing pension or social security checks without permission
• misusing ATM or credit cards, or using them without permission
• doling out the elder’s money to family or friends
• forcing the elder to part with resources or to sign over property.

*via Centers for Problem Oriented Policing

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