Public Information

Senior Financial Abuse

There are special laws targeting those who steal from or financially exploit seniors or dependent adults (collectively called "seniors"). Abusers may face jail and civil action.

What is "Financial Abuse"?

Financial abuse is the theft of, or use of undue influence to obtain another person's money or assets against the person's wishes, needs, or best interests or for the abuser's personal gain.

Examples of financial abuse may include:

Theft of money or other items from the senior's home or bank accounts.
Misuse of a Power of Attorney (POA) or a trust document.
Sale or transfer of the senior's property against his or her wishes or best interest.
Failure to provide agreed upon services to the senior, such as care giving, home or vehicle repair, or financial management.
Use of the senior's credit cards for unauthorized purchases.
Use of the senior's name or good credit to open new credit accounts.
Refusal to return borrowed money or property as agreed upon or when asked.
Creation or change of living trusts for the benefit of the abuser.
Change the senior's will, trust or inheritance for the abuser's benefit.

Undue Influence

Undue influence is when a person in a position of trust takes advantage of another to gain control of that person's money, property, or their life - directly, or through a power of attorney, a trust, marriage, adoption, or inheritance.

Abusers may act:

By isolating the person from contact with friends, family members, and others.
By controlling the person's mail, phone calls, visitors, and outings.
By falsely promising the person to take care of him or her for the rest of their life.
By causing the person to fear he or she will lose their home or independence.
By lying to the person by claiming that no one else cares about them except the abuser.
By manipulating or withholding food or medication so the person becomes weak and compliant.
By threatening harm, neglect, or abandonment if the person doesn't agree or do what he or she is told.

Who Might Be An Abuser?

Abusers include all kinds of people:

Family members
Caregivers (paid or volunteer)
Strangers - met in public, or over the phone, or those who come to the door
Friends
Neighbors
Helpers
Repair workers

Warning Signs of Financial Abuse

There are a number of signs of possible financial abuse and exploitation.

These signs include:

Activity inconsistent with a person's abilities, such as ATM use by a physically or cognitively impaired person.
Unusual or frequent gifts of money or property to caregivers, family, friends, and others.
Numerous withdrawals, usually in round numbers ($50, $100, $1,000, etc.), to other family members, friends, or strangers.
Increased activity on credit or debit cards.
Withdrawals made from savings or CD's in spite of penalty assessments.
Change in account beneficiaries.
New authorized signers on accounts.
Confusion about recent financial arrangements.
Change in property titles, quitclaim deeds, or new or refinanced mortgage.
Poorly prepared or not independently prepared.
Power of Attorney documents prepared by a caregiver, or other person having influence over the senior, which allow that person to have excessive or total control over money and assets of the senior.

Inheritance and Wills

Recent changes in Power of Attorney or Durable Power of Attorney.
Recent changes in a Will or Trust, when the person is clearly incapable.
Recent changes in Will or Trust to favor a new or much younger "friend."

Caregiver Warning Signs

Is the senior now reluctant to discuss matters that were once routine?
Does the senior seem apprehensive of the outside world - more tired or depressed?
Does the caregiver say the senior is less willing or able to accept visits or calls?
Does the caregiver seem overly concerned about the senior's finances?
Does the caregiver often speak for the senior, even when the senior is present?
Does the caregiver have no means of support other then the senior's income?

Assess a Senior's Risk

Does the senior live alone?
How many local friends does the senior have?
Does the senior have information about housing options, care choices, and support groups?
Have the senior's outside activities decreased over the past few years?
Does the senior have weekly contact with various family members in the area?
Is the senior overly friendly and helpful - even to total strangers?
Who regularly checks the status of the senior's bank accounts, change or credit accounts, or investments?
Where and from whom is the senior getting financial and medical advice?
Who oversees the senior's Power of Attorney?
Does the senior seek advice of fortunetellers, psychic advisors, or spiritual healers?
Does the senior know when and how to call the police and for medical assistance?

Consider the Caregiver

Is the caregiver from a reputable agency?
Have the caregiver's references been checked out?
Has a criminal background check been done?
Are the senior's checks, credit cards, etc. locked up?
Is there a written service agreement signed by the caregiver and the senior specifying duties and pay?
Is there a log of workers, hours, and salary payments?
Is there a weekly review of caregiver expenses?

Court Staff Handbook on

The Vulnerable Adult Protection Order Process

To read the full VAPO Handbook click here VAPO Handbook

For Protective Orders click here Washington Courts Protective Orders Once at the website under Protective Orders click on Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders

- The Mission of the Vulnerable Adult Task Force Team -

To promote the awareness, recognition, prevention and when feasible the prosecution of physical, emotional and financial abuse of at risk adults within Clark County.

The task force team will strive to accomplish this through advocacy, education, networking and program development for a safe and stable environment.

Report suspected abuse by:

Calling 911 and making a report to police

Calling Adult Protective Services at 1-866-END-HARM (1-866-363-4276).

Remember, the police or Adult Protective Services can't help unless someone makes a report to them. Please call to help stop abuse.

Clark County

Vulnerable Adult Task Force