Protecting Our Elders From Scams, Abuse, and Neglect

By District Attorney Shannon Wallace

 

Recently, a friend received an email that she immediately recognized as a scam. The writer claimed to be a banker from another country and told my friend that he would send her millions of dollars from an unclaimed inheritance. But first, he needed my friend to provide very specific personal information, including her bank account number.

If you think a promise of millions of dollars sounds too good to be true, you are right. Fortunately, my friend was savvy enough to recognize this as a scam and laugh it off.

However, some scams are trickier to spot, and even the savviest among us can be manipulated by these opportunists. Many of these unscrupulous individuals specifically target senior citizens.

 

Scams Targeting the Elderly

Whether in person, by phone, text, email, or social media, scammers often pose as someone you might normally trust. Here are a few common scams:

• An email from someone who says he’s a clergyman asking congregants to purchase gift cards to support someone enduring a tragedy.
• A text claiming to be a COVID-19 vaccine scheduler, then asking for personal information and, later, using that information to steal the individual’s identify.
• A visit from someone claiming to be a Medicare agent, who informs the victim he/she needs a new Medicare card, then requests his/her Social Security number.

Criminals often target older adults because they believe seniors have retirement savings or are more easily tricked than younger people. In some cases, seniors are so embarrassed that they fell victim to a scam, they hesitate to report the crime.

 

Elder Abuse at Home

Besides this type of financial exploitation, elder abuse also occurs when trusted family members, friends, or caregivers intentionally harm or fail to provide needed services to older adults in their care.

Typically, elder abuse is one (or all) of the following:
• Physical - Often includes sexual and emotional abuse as well.
• Neglect - Failure to provide essential medical care, adequate nutrition, hygiene, or a safe living environment.
• Financial Exploitation - Depriving access to financial resources by using force, threats, or deceit.

We take elder abuse very seriously and have a prosecution unit within the District Attorney’s Office that specializes in handling these crimes.

Members of our office participate in the Cherokee County Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Multidisciplinary Team, which meets monthly. This multidisciplinary team brings together organizations committed to protecting vulnerable adults from situations of abuse or exploitation. Members discuss reports of abuse and collaborate to ensure seniors receive the services they need. In 2020, the group reviewed 235 cases of suspected abuse or neglect of elders or vulnerable adults in Cherokee.

We also partner with Cherokee Triad S.A.L.T., an organization that works to reduce victimization of older adults by offering programs for seniors and caregivers. More information on these programs can be found at SALTCherokee.com.

 

World Elder Abuse Day

Each year on June 15, communities worldwide draw attention to the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of our elders. The day provides the opportunity to educate people about the unique challenges of our aging population, reach out to elders to help them avoid becoming crime victims, and exchange ideas on how to reduce crimes against elders.

 

How To Help

You can help, too. Visit older adults in your life and make sure they are healthy and safe. Talk to them about common scams and make sure they are making sound decisions.

 

Report elder abuse through the Georgia Division of Aging Services.
Aging.Georgia.gov/report-elder-abuse
866-55AGING (866-552-4464)

 

Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.