ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Incidents of Financial Elder Abuse Spiking in Los Angeles
Most Reported Cases Include Both Physical and Financial Elder Abuse
Indicators of Possible Financial Abuse
The United States has been plagued for decades by the epidemic of elder abuse. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made matters far worse – seniors are more isolated and would-be financial predators more desperate. Elder abuse statistics in California are especially alarming; according to the National Center on Elder Abuse 11 percent of all elder abuse cases in America occur in California. In Los Angeles County, financial elder abuse is the most common form of abuse by far but financial abuse cases also often involve other forms of abuse. If you yourself or an older loved one is suffering financial elder abuse in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California, call us today. The financial elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. represent injured seniors and their families in Los Angeles and throughout California. We can be reached at (415)441-8669.
Definitions and Indicators of Possible Financial Abuse
The Elder Persons Estate Unit of the Los Angeles Police Department shares the following important information about financial elder abuse in Los Angeles:
Definitions
Elder: Any person 65 years of age or older. (California Penal Code Section 368 (g)) Dependent Adult: Any person between the ages of 18 and 64 years, who has physical or mental limitations that restrict his or her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his or her rights including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities or whose physical or mental abilities have diminished because of age.
Elder and Dependent Adult financial abuse: When any person violates any provision of law prohibiting theft or embezzlement of any property that they know, or should know, belongs to an elder/dependent adult. (California Penal Code Section 368(d) and California Welfare and Institutions Code § 15610.30)
INDICATORS OF POSSIBLE FINANCIAL ABUSE
Unusual activity in bank accounts, such as withdrawals from automated banking machines when the person cannot walk or get to the bank.
Signatures on checks and other documents that do not resemble the elder.
Recent changes of title of house when the person is incapable of understanding the nature of the transaction.
Power of Attorney given when person is unable to comprehend the financial situation, and is incompetent to grant power of attorney.
Recent will when the person is clearly incapable of making a will.
COMMON SCAMS
Home Repair Fraud
Charity Scams
Sweepstakes and Lottery Winners
Sweetheart Swindle
Most people think that they cannot be tricked, fooled or conned into handing over money.
However, it happens. Con artists are experts on human psychology and behavior. If it sounds too
good to be true, it probably is.
Some statements to alert you to fraud and internet/telemarketing con games are:
“You must act now!”
“You’ve won a free gift or vacation!”
“Pay only postage and handling!”
“You must first send money, provide a credit card number, or a bank account number!”
Evans Law Firm Represents Injured Seniors
Notify the Los Angeles Police Department if you suspect any financial abuse of an older person here in Los Angeles. But also reach out to counsel such as the elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. who will pursue all available remedies against those responsible for the abuse, be it individuals such as caregivers or insurance agents and the businesses that employ them. California elder law provides enhanced remedies for California seniors against all persons responsible for their abuse. Those remedies include restitution (getting your money back), rescission (undoing any illegal or unfair contracts the predator has set up), economic and punitive damages, pain and suffering damages, and awards of attorneys’ fees and expenses for bringing your case. Our attorneys know how to investigate financial elder abuse cases and draft a complaint that will seek all available forms of relief and monetary awards against everyone responsible for you older loved one’s injury.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans and our other Los Angeles financial elder abuse attorneys represent seniors in Los Angeles and throughout California who are victims of any kind of financial elder abuse from any third party including caregivers, insurance agents, trustees, financial advisors, persons misusing a Power of Attorney, girlfriends or boyfriends of the senior, or any other person. Ingrid and our other elder abuse attorneys can be reached at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com.
