Webinar- Investigating Financial Exploitation Involving Elderly Victims

Recent statistics indicate that seniors lose at least $2.6 Billion a year due to financial abuse and this number may be much higher due to under reporting. Only 1 in 44 cases of financial abuse is reported, according to the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA). 

The widespread nature of financial exploitation is diverse and highly problematic due to a number of factors. The crimes may be perpetrated internally (by a relative of caregiver) or externally (by a stranger). Financial exploitation also takes many forms including:

• The abuse of a POA (Power of Attorney)

• Identity Theft

• Improper and/or illegal use of a credit or debit card

• Abuse of financial accounts

• Lottery scams

This class is vital to anyone working in the area of elderly abuse. The rising incidence of elder abuse is a growing concern throughout the country. An increase in the elderly population, strained economy, and physical impairments of the elderly have generated a vulnerable population exploited by family as well as strangers. Law Enforcement Officers must be able to recognize the varying forms of elder abuse, properly investigate and prosecute the cases, and provide assistance to the elderly. This places significant responsibility on the law enforcement agencies and its’ personnel.

This training module will assist in providing the knowledge and skills that are necessary to identify the problem areas involving financial exploitation of the elderly. Attendees will be able to recognize the signs of financial exploitation and properly identify and investigate alleged reports of abuse.

 Upon completion attendees will have been provided the specific skills to:

• Understand the types of elder abuse
• Recognize who the abusers are
• Recognize signs and symptoms of financial exploitation of the elderly
• Understand issues affecting the risk of abuse
• Understand how the aging process affects abuse
• Understand how property crimes are perpetrated against the elderly
• Understand why crimes against the elderly often go unreported
• Understand their role in investigating financial exploitation of the elderly