Kiwanians hear about elder exploitation
6/25/09
The program for the weekly Kiwanis luncheon on Tuesday, June 23, was presented by Glenda F. Swearingen, an attorney from Marianna. Swearingen’s practice focuses on elder law, and her topic Tuesday was elder exploitation in Florida.
According to Swearingen, “exploitation” is when a person in a position of trust and confidence by deception or intimidation obtains, uses, or attempts to obtain or use a vulnerable adult’s funds, assets, or property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive a vulnerable adult of the use, benefit or possession of the funds, assets or property for the benefit of someone other than the vulnerable adult.
Common types of elder exploitation are: identity theft, imposter fraud, mail fraud-solicitation, moving scams, investment scams, long distance calling scams, home repair fraud, charities fraud, telemarketing fraud, and water softener scams.
Sadly, the most common exploiters of the elderly are children, with other relatives or friends also common. Least likely are the siblings of the elder person.
A test for these scams is, IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS!
If you know of or suspect exploitation of a vulnerable adult, Florida law requires everyone to report the problem to Adult Protective Services immediately. The Florida Abuse Hotline is 1-800-96-ABUSE. The Florida Elder Help Line is 1-800-963-5337. The Florida Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-500-1119.
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