What You Should Know
As you age, your risk of becoming a victim of fraud
and abuse increases. Fraudsters, identity thieves
and other criminals often target elders and the
money you have saved for your retirement years.
This article contains information to help you
and
your loved ones understand types of fraud and
abuse, how they occur and what you can do to
prevent them.
Why Elders Are Vulnerable
- Older adults are more likely than younger adults to own
a home, possess valuable items, have substantial savings and
have an established credit rating.
- Elders tend to be trusting and charitable to strangers and
more likely to say yes to a solicitation.
- Elders are less likely than younger adults to report fraud
or abuse.
- Criminals assume elders who do report a crime will be unable to remember important details that lead to an arrest.
- Elders are more likely to live alone, be socially isolated
and have no nearby family members.
- Elders may become overly dependent on a caregiver who takes
advantage of them.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and
Communities
Against Senior Exploitation (CASE)
Topics covered in this section are:
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Education
Education