ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Victims Were All Patients Of Same In-Home Caregiver
Attempt To Steal $60,000 For Dental Work
Asks Associate To Use Victim Credit Card To Post Bail
All seniors are at risk of financial elder abuse, whether living at home or in a nursing home or memory care or assisted living facility. Sometimes the same unscrupulous caregiver will prey on multiple elderly victims. When the victim of any theft is over 65 that theft also constitutes criminal financial elder abuse and grounds for civil liability against the person who took the property and anyone assisting in that taking. Penal Code § 368; Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30(a). While there is no absolute way to protect seniors from this kind of abuse, there are certain important steps seniors and their loved ones can take, discussed below, which will go a long way in protecting them. If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial elder abuse by a caregiver or other person in San Bernardino or Riverside County or elsewhere in California, call us today at (415)441-8669. We will pursue all persons responsible for a senior’s injury and pursue all available remedies which include recovery of attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred in bringing a case to get the injured senior’s money or property back. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Caregiver Sentenced For Theft From Over 20 Patients
In one recently reported case,[1] an in-home caregiver was sentenced to over five years in prison from stealing from over 20 elderly victims, including a 93-year-old woman and a woman who was housebound. Earlier this year, police officers discovered the caregiver had stolen multiple credit cards, checks and pieces of personal identification from a 93-year-old client. The caregiver also allegedly attempted to steal money from another 70-year-old client after gaining access to phone and financial information. Then, the caregiver allegedly attempted to use another victim’s money to pay for $60,000 in dental work, the DA’s Office said. Employees at the local dental office realized the caregiver was posing as the victim when she called with her own phone rather than the victim’s. The employees then alerted the Sheriff’s Office, and deputies searched the caregiver’s home and arrested her. The search uncovered credit cards, checks and personal financial information of over 20 elderly patients. While in custody, the caregiver allegedly asked an associate to bail her out using credit cards belonging to other victims, the DA’s press release said. The associate notified law enforcement.
Preventing Elder Financial Abuse And Theft
Any senior, like all 20 victims in the reported case, is vulnerable to theft from any dishonest caregiver. If your older loved one has in-home assistance of any kind make sure their checks, credit and debit cards, jewelry, cash and other valuables are in a safe place away from reach. Keep their checkbook under lock and key and never give a blank check to anyone for any reason. If a senior has any credit or debit cards that they never use, destroy them and alert the relevant bank or credit card company that the card is discontinued. Never give a caregiver a credit card or ATM card to shop or get cash for a senior. Keep financial information, bank account numbers and Social Security numbers away from a caregiver’s or other stranger’s glance. Never, ever grant a power of attorney to a caregiver or facility staff member. Visit your older loved one as regularly as you can to see firsthand how they are doing and find out what is going on with them. Most important of all, if you suspect anything wrong, do something about it right away.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans represents elder and dependent adults in San Bernardino and Riverside County or elsewhere in California who are victims of any kind of financial exploitation or other abuse. Ingrid can be reached at (415) 441-8669 or TOLL FREE 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267), or email us at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the reported case in any way.
