ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Financial Exploitation of Seniors
American seniors lose an estimated $30 billion as a result of financial elder abuse. Much of the abuse goes unreported because victims are ashamed or unable to speak up. Federal and State legislatures and industry groups are stepping in to encourage reporting and expanding the obligations of more individuals – including brokers and advisors – to act on and report what they see. The California and San Mateo County financial elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. support all additional safeguards against financial exploitation of seniors and other consumers with diminished capacity. If you or a loved one has been a victim of securities fraud or financial elder abuse, or are headed toward a FINRA arbitration with your broker or financial advisor, contact the California and San Mateo County securities and financial elder abuse attorneys at the Evans Law Firm at (415) 441-8669, and we can help. We handle securities fraud and financial elder abuse cases in California.
How Counsel Can Help
Financial elder abuse comes at seniors from all different directions. Isolated seniors and seniors suffering from cognitive impairments unfortunately make easy targets. Our attorneys represent senior victims of financial elder abuse on all fronts – against unscrupulous insurance agents and financial advisors, negligent annuity and life insurance companies, fraudulent caregivers and fiduciaries, embezzling family members, agents misusing a Power of Attorney, reverse mortgage brokers and lenders, and con artists. California leads the nation in protections for seniors against financial elder abuse. The State’s laws afford broad civil remedies to seniors– beyond restitution (getting your money back) – including extra damages and mandatory attorneys’ fees. The financial elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. know the protections and remedies available under California law and are able to pursue all available recovery for injured seniors.
Prevention Tips
If you’re a senior or the loved one of a senior be cautious in all financial matters. Anyone can be a potential financial predator; the vast majority of financial elder abuse victims know their abuser well. Whenever you first suspect financial elder abuse, seek professional help and the advice of people you trust. Do not relinquish authority over finances by a Power of Attorney unless it’s to someone you completely trust; misuse of Powers of Attorney is a leading type of financial elder abuse. Complete thorough background checks on anyone you hire as a caregiver. Store valuable possessions in a safe place. Make sure your checkbook, ATM card, and credit cards are also kept in a secure place. If you’re a loved one, drop in on the senior as frequently as possible and accompany him or her to any business or banking meetings. Be suspicious if a stranger or new employee takes a personal interest in the senior’s affairs or prevents or discourages contact. Lastly, if you’re a senior, don’t isolate; let loved ones and longtime friends and professionals help you just as you helped them in your younger years. It’s important.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been a victim of securities fraud or financial elder abuse contact California and San Mateo County securities and financial elder abuse attorney Ingrid Evans and the other attorneys at the Evans Law Firm, Inc. today at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our attorneys have experience with complex securities cases, FINRA arbitrations, and mediations; and complicated financial contracts and large insurance companies. We can help guide your case through a jury trial, FINRA arbitration, or toward an equitable settlement. We also handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, other types of qui tam and whistleblower cases, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.
