BY ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE SIX
Since taking office, I have made serious efforts to identify underserved areas in our state and the individuals or groups that need additional assistance or protection. I have focused on Internet crime and consumer protection, because there was a lack of resources and focus being directed to those areas.
Working with the Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Unit in my office, I have identified other Kansans who often are underserved: senior citizens. Seniors often become the victims of scams or other abuse.
During the unit's first year, we made a disturbing discovery. Financial exploitation or fiduciary abuse of the elderly is not always viewed as a crime. In fact, many people do not realize it is against the law.
We must do all we can to protect our most vulnerable citizens from financial abuse and exploitation. And we must attack this problem on many fronts.
My office partnered with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and the Kansas Bankers Association to develop guidelines for identifying financial abuse. The guidelines will help bank staff and those working with seniors and their finances determine if they are being exploited. The new guidelines will be available soon and will help banks make the proper reports to law enforcement in a timely fashion.
Our education and prevention efforts will reduce the amount of elder abuse and financial abuse that occurs in Kansas. But even with significant prevention efforts, these crimes will still occur. When they do, law enforcement must be ready to hold the perpetrators accountable.
SOURCE: KansasDotCom
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