ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Caregiver Fraud In Contra Costa and Beyond
Caregiver Fraud
Sadly, cases of caregiver fraud are all too frequent these days. On many occasions, the victims and loved ones are not remotely aware of the fraud until the financial injury is so great that it can no longer be hidden. Or, even worse, victims and loved ones may not discover the fraud until it’s too late: the caregiver and the stolen goods or money are gone. A few tips may help you detect caregiver fraud before it’s too late.
Tips To Prevent Caregiver Fraud
A good, easy first tip is to search for a caregiver through a good agency. Ask for and check references. Always. Do an internet search of the agency and the individuals the agency assigns. Searches are quick and free and worth the time. Background checks are important too; a comprehensive one may cost a few dollars, but it’s money well-spent. Whatever you do, don’t hire anyone as a caregiver without a little homework on the individual.
Another tip is to know what valuables you or your loved ones have and know where they are. Put jewelry, silver and other valuable and precious items, credit cards, check books and so on all in safekeeping and don’t reveal their whereabouts to employees. If your loved one needs something, make sure you’re the one to retrieve it for him or her. Check your loved one’s bank and brokerage accounts as often as you can. Uncommon transactions should be easy to spot, and you can nip problems in the bud using this method. Look for anything unusual: a pattern of withdrawals, spending at grocery stores and other places that is inconsistent with your loved one’s habits. If the caregiver shops on behalf of your family member, make sure to ask for receipts. And check them! Be careful of too many cash transactions, ATM withdrawals and the like. Often, withdrawn amounts will start out small and gradually escalate. Keep an eye on account balances.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has experienced any caregiver fraud in California, or if you have reason to believe it may be occurring, contact the Evans Law Firm elder attorneys at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities. Our attorneys also have experience with complex financial contracts and large insurance companies. We can help guide your case through a jury trial or toward an equitable settlement.
