It’s Everyone’s Business – Protecting Seniors from Fraud and Exploitation
Fraud by friends and family, “new best friends," thieving caregivers, religious con artists, financial abuse by family members— are examples of the many types of fraud and exploitation of the elderly or disabled which should be reported to Adult Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.
The exploitation may begin with a simple request ---but it becomes a “slippery slope” of continuing needs. Perhaps a caregiver begins by asking for a loan due to special circumstance like healthcare or school supplies for their children. The vulnerable adult receiving care feels obligated or concerned and offers help. The requests and “crisis” situations continue as the caregiver takes more and more money from the adult, resulting in exploitation.
Adult Protective Services investigates these situations and others when there is an ongoing relationship between the adult and the alleged perpetrator. Often the loss of funds creates a situation of neglect ---leaving the victim with a loss of utilities or being unable to pay for medications. APS is often able to enable services to get basic needs met and to alleviate these problems while working with law enforcement to stop the perpetrator from further exploitation.
Seniors and persons with disabilities are often victims of other types of exploitation or fraud such as home equity fraud, where a homeowner may be tricked into signing over the deed to his home. Often a person pretending to be a repairman or someone offering another service does this scam. The elderly person signs a contract believing it to be for roof repair, for example, and does not read it carefully enough to realize that it is a deed to their own home. Report instances of this type of fraud to the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General's office at 1-800-621-0508.
Just Say, ‘No thanks,” and Hang Up
Older persons may be vulnerable to some scams because they are more trusting, and some telemarketing and mail fraud schemes target the elderly. Some examples of telemarketing schemes, which often target elders, are the “You Are A Winner! " pitch, which misleads victims with a nonexistent prize in order to get them to buy something. Other examples include offers for great loans or "fixing" bad credit or any caller requesting your bank account or credit card number.
The best way to avoid telemarketing fraud is to watch for “tip-off” statements and just say NO and hang up. Typical “tip-off” statements include: “Act now or the offer will expire” or “You've won a "free" gift, vacation, or prize, but you must pay for "postage and handling" or some other charge.
If it’s Too Good To Be True …….
Mail fraud usually involves a situation that sounds too good to be true because it is! Watch out for fake contests, prizes, lotteries, chain letters, insurance deals, and promotions for fake health cures, beauty devices, or diets. Report scams by contacting the Postal Service Mail Fraud Complaint Center at 1-800-372-8347 or National Fraud Information Center. 1-800-876-7060.
Some health fraud scams to watch for are advertisements for fake "cures" and fraudulent medical and health services marketed via the television or telephone (victims send in their money and never receive the ordered item or receive a copy rather than an authentic product). Other examples include " free" hearing tests and hearing aids, health care fraud where phony or real physicians take advantage of patients as a means of getting money from the victim's insurance company; and bogus insurance companies.
It’s everyone’s business to help protect seniors and disabled adults from these types of fraud and exploitation. To report exploitation, contact Adult Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or through the website www.txabusehotline.org.