Unfortunately, any elderly or disabled adult is at risk of falling victim to financial exploitation. It could be a friend, a loved one or even you.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, financial exploitation describes a set of crimes, including stealing, forgery and identity theft, against the elderly and disabled. Financial exploitation also can involve use of a credit/debit/ATM card, fraudulent obtaining of a credit or debit card, and misappropriation of property from an in-home services client.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, neglect and/or exploitation, a report should be made through the
Adult Abuse and Neglect web portal at https://apps4.mo.gov/APS_Portal/. Another option would be to call the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-392-0210. The hotline is answered from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., CST, 365 days a year.
We realize it is important to have resources and sound advice during a stressful time. The following links are being provided with this in mind:
Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Senior and Disability Services (tips and online reporting) -
https://health.mo.gov/seniors/abuse.php
American Bankers Association "Protecting the Elderly from Financial Abuse" -
https://www.aba.com/advocacy/community-programs/consumer-resources/protect-your-money/elderly-financial-abuse
National Council on Aging "8 Tips for How Seniors Can Protect Themselves From Money Scams" -
https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/protection-from-scams/
National Council on Aging "Top 10 Financial Scams Targeting Seniors" -
https://www.ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/top-10-scams-targeting-seniors/
FDIC Consumer News: Be Aware of Fake Checks -
https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/august2019.html
Federal Bureau of Investigation "Business Email Compromise - the $26B Scam" -
https://www.ic3.gov/media/2019/190910.aspx
United States Department of Justice "...74 Alleged Fraudsters Arrested in the United States" -
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/281-arrested-worldwide-coordinated-international-enforcement-operation-targeting-hundreds
Federal Trade Commission File a Complaint website -
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-resources/identity-theft-and-data-security/filing-complaint
Federal Trade Commission Information on Common Scams -
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts