San Diego Financial Elder Abuse Attorney Uncovers Discrepancies and Wrong-Doing
Prosecuting Elder Fraud in San Diego and North County
One of the many tragedies surrounding financial elder abuse is the sense of shame that plagues the elderly person and loved ones once money, property, and other assets have disappeared. Feelings of naiveté, vulnerability, even stupidity dominate the conversations at Fikes Law following the discovery of the theft. And these are just from those that take action! Most victims let their embarrassment stop them from reporting financial crimes, the biggest tragedy of all in this rampant societal issue.
The very first thing California elder abuse attorney wants victims to understand is: perpetrators of financial fraud plan their crimes for months, even years, and carefully put certain things in place, setting the target up for exploitation. No one with a reasonable moral code sees that coming, not even the smartest among us, not even attorneys! Perhaps it goes without saying, too, that these criminals have different moral systems from the rest of us.
It’s even more upsetting to read the National Center on Elder Abuse’s finding that two million senior citizens fall victim to financial fraud and that it is the number one crime committed against people over 65! If you’ve been exploited financially, you are certainly not alone.
Most of us must STRUGGLE to believe that a trusted caregiver, nursing home employee, doctor or family member could be taking money from a senior that we care about. If you have some suspicions, trust your instincts. There’s no harm in exploring further. The following signs could bring more clarity:
- notice of a change in the will or trust for which you are a beneficiary
- sudden ineligibility for Medi-Cal
- notices coming that bills are not paid on time
- eviction notices
- excessive home repair or medical bills
- limited money for food, clothing and other living expenses
- senior is offered care in exchange for information for bank accounts or deeds to properties
- senior appears nervous in front of caregiver or service provider
- senior discussing an investment but claims this new instrument is complex and/or difficult to understand
- missing property
- the “new best friend”
You should contact our office is you suspect an elderly friend or framily member is being financitlaly abused. You can also contact Adult Protective Services in your county, the police, and the District Attorney’s Office in your county.
The California attorney general’s Elder Abuse Hotline provides excellent information about typical perpetrators, schemes and legal remedies, including forms to report perpetrators to the proper government institutions.
Actubg quickly is vital to protect the elder. The action you take now could stop the abuse, incuding additional financial losses, and also stop the perpetrator from finding another potential victim!
Act Fast to Recover Assets Lost Due to Elder Financial Abuse
Don’t take financial elder abuse lying down. With the help of accounting forensics experts and others, California elder fraud lawyer that can help you and/or those helping you determining where monies went, when and who took them. Time is critical in financial elder abuse cases, however. Scott can help you understand the options you have so you know which steps to take first and fastest.
It takes an experienced California financial elder abuse attorney to build a solid fraud case. I am happy to provide a free 15-minute consultation. Call 619-568-3189 to schedule a call or fill out the Schedule a Case Evaluation form on this page. Finding a partner and sounding board i is the first step in recouping the assets your loved one must have to survive.