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Important Information for Seniors

As we age, we beome a more likely target for those who may take advantage of us either financially or personally. 

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is “the neglect, exploitation, or ‘painful or harmful’ mistreatment of anyone who is 65 or older (or who falls under the legal definition of a ‘dependent’ adult aged 18-64)”

Types of elder abuse include: abandonment, false imprisonment, financial abuse, isolation, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse.

If a known or suspected incident of elder abuse has occurred in a long-term care facility, the report should be made to the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman by calling 1-800-231-4024 or visit The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center online at www.ltcombudsman.org. Reports can also be made to the local law enforcement agency, or the Bureau of Medi-Care Fraud and Elder Abuse at 1-800-722-0432.

If abuse has occurred anywhere other than in a facility, reports should be made to the local county Adult Protective Services (APS) agency. Visit www.napsa-now.org to find your local APS agency, or call 1-800-451-5155. Reports can also be made to the local law enforcement agency. In the event of an emergency, always call 911 first.

The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with information on senior services. They can be reached by calling 1-800-677-1116 or on their website at www.eldercare.gov.

Avoiding Consumer

Scams

According to the Wall Street Journal, “The ability to recognize fraud can fade with aging, even among people without dementia.”

While financial elder abuse can take many forms, the most widespread abuses include: telemarketing fraud, identity theft (including medical identity theft), lottery scams, predatory lending, grandparent scams, and home improvement scams.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is

Find/identify someone you trust/trustworthy that you can run things by

Make sure charities are registered before making donations. All charities must be registered with the state Attorney General’s office. Call 1-916-445-2021 or go online at www.ag.ca.gov/charities. You can also check charity registration with your local Better Business Bureau, online at www.bbb.org.

 

  • Consult with someone you trust before making a large purchase or investment. Don’t be pressured or intimidated into immediate decisions. – from national center on elder abuse

  • Do not provide personal information (social security number, credit card number, etc.) over the phone unless you initiated the call and you know with whom you are speaking.

  • Tear up or shred credit card receipts, bank statements, and financial records before disposing of them in the trash.

DO:

• Ask telemarketers for their company’s name and address.

• Ask the caller to send you written material to study before you make a purchase.

• Talk to family and friends; get advice from someone you trust before you make any large purchase or investment.

• Request that your phone number be removed from the telemarketer’s list.

DON’T:

• Pay for any prize or send money to improve your chances to win or receive a prize.

• Give any caller your credit card number or any other form of personal identification.

 

Register your personal phone numbers (including cell phones) with the National Do Not Call Registry https://www.donotcall.gov/ - 1-888-382-1222

 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - http://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority - http://www.finra.org/ - has tools for investors, including a risk meter, scam meter, and broker check.

 

Call the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877- 438-4338 or visit www.ftc.gov/idtheft

How We Help

Maybe look at http://www.nlrc.aoa.gov/NLRC/index.aspx?

Additional Resources

Administration on Aging (aoa.gov)

California Department on Aging (aging.ca.gov) 1-800-510-2020

California Department of Consumer Affairs (dca.ca.gov) 1-800-952-5210

 

California Department of Social Services (cdss.ca.gov)

Senior Legal Hotline (seniorlegalhotline.org) 1-800-222-1753

 

Monitor credit reports – annualcreditreport.com - 1-877-322-8228

OnGuardOnline.gov is the federal government’s website to help you be safe, secure and responsible online.-http://www.onguardonline.gov/

 

SMPs empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education. - http://www.smpresource.org/

 

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force - http://www.stopfraud.gov/

 

  1. The California Attorney General investigates consumer fraud. Their number is 1-800-952-5225. The direct line of the Department of Justice's Public Inquiry unit which also takes complaints is 800- 952-5225.

  2. The Department of Corporations SAIF (Seniors Against Investment Fraud) Program investigates investment fraud. The number is 1-866-ASK-CORP, which is 1-866-275-2677.

  3. The California Department of Insurance investigates insurance fraud and complaints against insurance companies. Their number is 1-800-927-HELP, 1-800-927-4357.

 

National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) -http://preventelderabuse.org/

 

About Elder Financial Protection Network (EFPN) - http://www.elderfinancialprotection.org/

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