While voluntary reporting to government agencies is highly encouraged to prevent and mitigate damage from elder abuse, there are also other ways to protect yourself and vulnerable loved ones from further harm.
What to do if you or an elderly loved one has been scammed
If you or someone you love has been scammed, consider immediately doing the following:
Stop all communications with the scammer. Don’t respond to emails or voicemails; cease all personal contact as soon as possible.
Notify financial institutions holding active accounts. Contact banks, brokerage firms, and credit card companies to alert them to potential suspicious activity. They can monitor accounts and possibly cancel or reverse illegal transactions.
Change all passwords. If online or personal apps may have been compromised, change all passwords — and don’t use the same combination of letters, numbers, and symbols more than once.
Contact the three major credit bureaus and freeze credit. These include Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. In addition to freezing credit, the bureaus have procedures in place to limit the damage done by scammers who steal personal information from vulnerable victims.
Write down every detail pertaining to the encounter with the scammer. While it may be upsetting and scary, document every detail regarding interactions with the scammer. For example, write down a description of the scammer, the business or agency the scammer claimed to represent, a description of the scam, monetary amounts that changed hands, and the dates and times of contact. No detail is too small as any information will be helpful to authorities if you file a report.
Report the incident to the proper law enforcement agencies. We said it before but it bears repeating – please report any fraudulent activity to the proper law enforcement agency. It’s especially important to do this if a scammer is misrepresenting agencies such as the local police department, Internal Revenue Service, or Social Security Administration.
Being victimized by a scam artist can be a traumatic experience at any age. Victims of elder fraud often feel ashamed and embarrassed they were so naïve and trusting. They often experience a range of emotions: anger, fear, stupidity, anxiety, hopelessness, withdrawal, depression, and grief over their financial loss.
Here are a few tips if an elderly loved one is having difficulty dealing with a scam incident:
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Be positive; do not chastise the victim. Instead, take a nonjudgmental approach to dealing with the emotions surrounding the situation.
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Provide opportunities for an elderly loved one to feel safe enough in their environment to talk about their feelings.
Help them understand they did not do anything wrong — that scam artists make it their full-time job to con innocent people. Place blame on the scammer.
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If the victim is willing and able, allow them to help report and resolve the problem. (This will give a sense of empowerment and may lead to improved self-esteem.)
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Help the elderly person maintain a sense of “normalcy” and control, i.e., follow a daily routine, eat balanced meals, get enough sleep, enjoy hobbies, and spend time with family members and friends.
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Give the victim of the scam time to process the experience and come to terms with their emotions. Let them know they are not alone. Even if they don’t want to talk about what happened, they can still find comfort in the company of others who care about them.
There are few things more frightening to older persons than having scammers take advantage of them. Having to cope with the emotional effects of elder financial fraud and protecting themselves from ongoing or future exploitation can be daunting. If you or a loved one are a victim of elderly financial abuse, Commerce Trust is here to help. We can help answer questions regarding the safety and security of affected accounts and explain next steps for protecting your family’s assets. Call today for more information.
Certified Senior Advisors (CSAs)® have supplemented their individual professional licenses, credentials, and education with knowledge about aging and working with older adults. It is recommended that you verify the validity of any professional’s credentials with whom you conduct business and be sure you completely understand what those licenses, credentials, and education signify. The CSA certification alone does not imply expertise in financial, health, or social matters. For more details visit www.csa.us.
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of November 2, 2022. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
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