Protect Elders from Financial Abuse

“Hi, Grandpa. I'm in jail in Mexico City.”

So began a phone call that a friend of mine recently received. My friend was then informed that his grandson had been in a car accident with a member of a prominent family in Mexico, and that Grandpa should wire $7,500 immediately so his grandson could be released from jail. Grandpa was advised not to tell anyone about this situation, including his grandson's parents, because there was a gag order issued by the Mexican court. Fortunately, my friend called an attorney and was advised not to participate in this scam.

Our law office had encountered this type of scheme before when a concerned grandma actually wired $2,500, to allegedly obtain the release of her grandson from a Canadian jail, before she called for legal guidance.

Why are seniors repeatedly victimized like this?

Studies indicate that the first signs of impending dementia are an inability to understand money, credit, contracts and agreements, often occurring long before dementia becomes evident in social settings. Schemers know this and are skilled at using immediacy and emotion when addressing the concerns of smart grandpas and concerned grandmas.

This jail scheme is just one of many types of scams used. Notifications of judgments and winning lotteries, selling everything from insurance to oil well interests and gemstones ... the list goes on and on.

Sadly, these schemes are not the worst of it. When elder abuse (particularly financial abuse) occurs, it often occurs at the hands of the victim's child, grandchild or neighbor — someone one who is trusted and depended upon for that elderly person's care and protection.

If you know someone who may be at risk for manipulation, let them know that you care and provide them with resources from local attorneys, law enforcement, and even our legislators, who often have information or tools to avoid scams by these evildoers.