Monthly Archives: March 2020

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Kickbacks, Overcharging, And Other Healthcare Fraud Whistleblowers Rewarded For Blowing Whistle The FBI estimates that fraud under the federal government’s Medicare and Medicaid programs amounts to $75 billion to $250 billion every year. Each year, individual whistleblowers help the government recoup billions under the False Claims Act (FCA). […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Understanding How Fixed Annuities Work Insurance Policies Not Investments Fixed annuities are sold by agents as “safe” products with “guaranteed” returns. Don’t buy it, because that is not the entire story. Our lawyers recommend avoiding annuities of any kind, including fixed annuities, especially for seniors, because sales commissions […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Trust Contests: Challenging Invalid Trusts and Trust Amendments Trusts and Trust Amendments Can Be Part of a Financial Elder Abuse Scheme Many Californians, especially seniors, create trusts to hold their assets in part to avoid a lengthy probate process following death. In most cases, the settlor (creator of […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Financial Elder Abuse Can Strike Any Senior Isolated Seniors Are Most At Risk Everyone of us is potentially a victim of financial fraud. A higher percentage of seniors suffer more incidents of financial abuse or fraud and the highest percentage of victims of financial exploitation is isolated seniors.  […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Cash, Credit Cards, and Caregivers The Danger of Cash and Credit Cards in Easy Reach Preventing Caregiver Theft In-home caregivers have access to a senior’s cash, jewelry, silver, ATM and credit cards, bank accounts and important papers unless you keep them out of reach. Greedy caregivers strike quickly […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Securities and Exchange Commission Rewards Whistleblowers Any Securities Fraud Can Be The Basis of a Whistleblower Case Federal Law Protects You From Employer Retaliation Last month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced two whistleblower awards in connection with two separate enforcement actions.[1]  Both whistleblowers provided significant […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Understanding The Details Costs, Complexities, and Withdrawal Penalties Our annuity and financial elder abuse attorneys recommend against annuities for seniors in particular, because commissions, fees and surrender penalties reduce returns and make it expensive to get your money out if you need it.  Salespeople push annuities for the […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Commodity Futures Trading Commission Wants Whistleblower Help Individuals May Submit Reward Claims Information Can Lead To Investigation Even If Not Exact The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced on January 27 that it settled fraud allegations against a commodity pool operator and its CEO for over $10 […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER What are Income Riders? Are They Worth The Annual Fee? Understanding the “Phantom Account” of an Income Rider Our lawyers recommend you avoid annuities and life insurance, especially if you are a senior. Also, be particularly wary when an agent tries to sell you policies with “enhanced” features […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Neglect of Older Persons Is Elder Abuse Neglect In Nursing Homes Or By In-Home Caregivers Infections, Malnutrition or Bed Sores/Pressure Wounds Can Be Fatal Neglect of the elderly can be a very dangerous, potentially fatal, form of elder abuse. California expressly includes neglect as a form of abuse.  […]