Linda L. Saunders, CFE, CPA

Financial Exploitation of Elders

• July 1, 2001

Fraud examiners should know the red flags of elder financial abuse and how to identify and protect those who may be vulnerable. Ninety-six-year-old "Mrs. Mabel Hunt" wanted to live out her life in her longtime home. One of her neighbors, "Rev. Bob," a minister, knew this and convinced her to allow him to become a "joint tenant," so that the state Department of Social and Health Services, he said, wouldn't be able to force her to sell her home and move her to a nursing facility. But Rev. Bob was lying and Mabel was too trusting. She walked straight into a financial exploitation trap.

Written By: Linda L. Saunders, CFE, CPA

• • Consumer Fraud and Scams