Fighting crimes against the elderly.

AuthorMorton, Heather
PositionTRENDS

America's elderly lose more than $2.9 billion annually to financial exploitation, according to a study published by MetLife Mature Market Institute. Crimes include taking money or property; stealing an identity to make unauthorized charges on credit cards; forging a signature; getting an older person to sign a deed, will or power of attorney through deception, coercion or undue influence; using property or possessions without permission; and overcharging for a service. Also illegal are telemarketing scams by perpetrators who deceive, scare or exaggerate claims to get elderly people to spend or send money.

The swindlers target vulnerable seniors, including recent widows or widowers they find easily through newspaper death announcements, says the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. They offer to work for the senior citizen as a personal care attendant or helper, professing their sincere love and loyalty.

Financial crimes against the elderly and other vulnerable adults are widely believed to be under-reported, making statistics very limited and unreliable. At least 26 states and Puerto Rico are considering legislation this year.

Last year's enactments include the following.

* Delaware created a way for financial institutions to freeze transactions when they suspect an elderly person is being exploited and to report it to authorities.

* Illinois broadened the definition of financial exploitation and clarified when guardians of elderly victims can bring civil actions.

* Maryland required certain money...

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