Important Information for Seniors

As we age, we beome a more likely target for those who may take advantage of us either financially or personally.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is “the neglect, exploitation, or ‘painful or harmful’ mistreatment of anyone who is 65 or older (or who falls under the legal definition of a ‘dependent’ adult aged 18-64)”

Types of elder abuse include; abandonment, false imprisonment, financial abuse, isolation, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse.
If a known or suspected incident of elder abuse has occurred in a long-term care facility, the report should be made to the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman by calling 1-800-231-4024 or visit The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center online at (www.ltcombudsman.org). Reports can also be made to the local law enforcement agency, or the Bureau of Medi-Care Fraud and Elder Abuse at 1-800-722-0432.
If abuse has occurred anywhere other than in a facility, reports should be made to the local county Adult Protective Services (APS) agency. Visit (www.napsa-now.org)to find your local APS agency or call 1-800-451-5155. Reports can also be made to the local law enforcement agency. In the event of an emergency, always call 911 first.
The Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with information on senior services. They can be reached by calling 1-800-677-1116 or on their website at (www.eldercare.gov)

Avoiding Consumer

Scams

According to the Wall Street Journal, “The ability to recognize fraud can fade with aging, even among people without dementia.”

While financial elder abuse can take many forms, the most widespread abuses include:

telemarketing fraud, identity theft (including medical identity theft), lottery scams, predatory lending, false romance, grandparent scams, and home improvement scams.

DO:

Remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is
Make sure charities are registered before making donations. All charities must be registered with the state Attorney General’s office. Call 1-916-445-2021 or go online at (www.ag.ca.gov/charities). You can also check charity registration information with your local Better Business Bureau, online at (www.bbb.org)
Consult with someone you trust before making a large purchase or investment. Don’t be pressured or intimidated into immediate decisions.
Tear up or shred credit card receipts, bank statements, and financial records before disposing of them in the trash.
Seek advice from family, friends, and/or professionals you trust before you make any large purchase or investment.
Request that your phone number be removed from their list.
Register your personal phone numbers (including cell phones) with the National Do Not Call Registry (https://www.donotcall.gov/)

DON’T:

Pay for any prize or send money to improve your chances to win or receive a prize.
Do not provide personal information (social security number, credit card number, etc.) over the phone unless you initiated the call and you know with whom you are speaking.
Don't speak with telemarketers

Helpful Organizations:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - (http://www.consumerfinance.gov)
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority - (http://www.finra.org/) - has tools for investors, including a risk meter, scam meter, and broker check.
FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877- 438-4338 or visit (www.ftc.gov/idtheft)

Administration on Aging (aoa.gov)
California Department on Aging (aging.ca.gov) 1-800-510-2020
California Department of Consumer Affairs (dca.ca.gov) 1-800-952-5210
California Department of Social Services (cdss.ca.gov)
Senior Legal Hotline (seniorlegalhotline.org) 1-800-222-1753
Monitor credit reports – (annualcreditreport.com)- 1-877-322-8228
Online Privacy and Security | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov) is the federal government’s website to help you be safe, secure and responsible online.
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education. - (http://www.smpresource.org/)
Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force - (Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) | FinCEN.gov )
The California Attorney General investigates consumer fraud. Their number is 1-800-952-5225. The direct line of the Department of Justice's Public Inquiry unit which also takes complaints is 800- 952-5225.
The Department of Corporations SAIF (Seniors Against Investment Fraud) Program investigates investment fraud. The number is 1-866-ASK-CORP, which is 1-866-275-2677.
The California Department of Insurance investigates insurance fraud and complaints against insurance companies. Their number is 1-800-927-HELP, 1-800-927-4357.
National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) -(http://preventelderabuse.org/)