Elder Abuse Through Financial Exploitation

Officials recently arrested and charged two residents of McHenry County with unlawful financial exploitation of an elderly person after the couple took approximately $140,000 from a 96 year old victim. Officials began investigating the theft after the victim attempted to purchase hearing aids and discovered they had an account balance of only around $30.

This unfortunate story is a reminder that elder abuse does not always involve physical harm. Often times elder abuse involves a stranger or “new friend” abusing the elderly victim’s person property, investments, cash, and real estate. It is important for family and friends of elders to take steps including identity protection, caller identification, and property protection to help protect elders from financial exploitation and abuse.

See 2 Charged with Taking $140,000 from 96-Year-Old, Chicago Sun-Times, Nov. 8, 2011.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this article to my attention.