ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
The Risk Of Hiring Unlicensed Caregiver Off Craigslist
Caregiver Writes Unauthorized Checks
Buys Herself, Daughter Cars With Senior’s Money
References and background checks of persons hired as in-home caregivers are two important steps when a senior needs in-home care. The risks of what can go wrong when a total stranger enters a dependent senior’s life really cannot be overstated. Our elder abuse litigators see cases throughout the State of California practically every day where an older person is exploited by an in-home caregiver. If you suspect financial abuse of an older loved one here in Alameda County by a caregiver or anyone else, call the elder abuse lawyers at Evans Law Firm, Inc. today at (415)441-8669 and we can help.
A recent arrest of a caregiver for financial elder abuse of an incapacitated 89-year-old man shows just how far an unscrupulous caregiver may go in their theft.[1] In the case, the victim had hired an unlicensed caregiver off Craigslist who moved in at once and over the next four years allegedly stole thousands of dollars from the man until her fraud was discovered. Police reports reveal that the incapacitated senior was convinced to buy cars for the caregiver and her daughter, and pay the daughter’s apartment rent in another state, pay thousands of dollars for dental work for the caregiver and pay for her to go visit her daughter out of state on several occasions.
Reports also reveal that the caregiver wrote 26 checks to herself off the senior’s checking account and another eight unauthorized checks to her daughter. She also allegedly used the victim’s ATM card and video from the ATM shows her pocketing the money. Whenever she asked the victim for more money and he refused, she would slap him in the face according to the police reports. When first confronted during an initial investigation by authorities, the caregiver told detectives that all the transactions were authorized by the victim. She then left the state and was arrested when she returned to the victim’s home in violation of a restraining order to protect the victim from her.
Contact Us
This same, terrible pattern of facts occurs all too often. Stay involved in any senior loved one’s life so a stranger does not have the opportunity for this kind of theft and exploitation. If you sense any kind of abuse of an older loved one, call us right away. Abusers do not stop voluntarily in their exploitation of older persons who cannot defend themselves, or may not even be aware of what is happening to them. Ingrid M. Evans and the other elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. have years of experience in representing seniors and their families against abusers of any kind, including in-home caregivers. You can reach us at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
