ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Caregiver First Charged With Forging Checks
Subsequently Pawns Allegedly Stolen Jewelry
Allegedly Wrote Herself Checks Instead Of Paying Bills
We share with our readers over and over the advice that a caregiver should never be given any financial responsibilities. Ever. Every single time a caregiver (or other stranger) has access to a senior’s financial information or bank accounts, there is a risk of financial elder abuse, theft and fraud. The best way to protect as senior is to make sure all financial information, ATM and credit cards, bank account numbers, Social Security numbers and cash and checks and jewelry are not within a caregiver’s reach. Caregivers should be responsible for care only. Keep it that way. Under no circumstances, never, ever give a caregiver a Power of Attorney or a blank check or a credit or ATM card to run an errand. Financial elder abuse includes the wrongful taking of any property of an elder or dependent adult, not just cash. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30 (definition of financial elder abuse).
If a senior or dependent person is a victim of financial elder abuse, Evans Law Firm. Inc. can represent the victim and his or her family, and pursue all persons responsible, including anyone assisting in the abuse. We will pursue all available remedies including an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses for bringing suit. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5. If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial elder abuse in San Mateo County or elsewhere in California, call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Caregiver Charged With Forging Checks And Theft
In a recently reported case[1], the in-home, fulltime caregiver of a senior with Alzheimer’s and other serious health issues has been charged with forgery and theft of jewelry and other valuables from the elder. According to authorities, the caregiver had full access to the victim’s bank account and wrote herself checks worth $2,450 when she was supposed to pay the victim’s bills.
According to a report, further investigation found that the caregiver pawned 14 of the victim’s items, 13 articles of jewelry and a valuable clock. According to the police probable cause affidavit, the victim’s bank had reported suspicious activity on the victim’s checking account, which opened the investigation leading to the further discoveries. The suspect is awaiting trial.
Keeping Loved Ones Safe
The reported case illustrates how an unscrupulous caregiver may steal pretty much anything of value (even a clock) and forge checks if they get access to a senior’s checkbook. Always keep cash and checks, and a senior’s checkbook, out of the reach of any caregiver or other stranger in a senior’s home. Keep all of the rest of a senior’s bank and credit card information secure too, and monitor credit cards and bank accounts online. Track where your loved one’s Social Security and pension benefits are being deposited. Have financial statements mailed to your address so others do not have access to you loved one’s business mail. Also, make sure that financial information like account numbers and Social Security numbers are kept away from a caregiver’s glance. Never, ever grant a power of attorney to a caregiver or nursing home staff member. Perhaps most important of all, if you suspect anything wrong, do something about it right away.
Contact Us
If you suspect financial elder abuse of a loved one, friend or neighbor in San Mateo County, or elsewhere in California, call Ingrid M. Evans at Evans Law Firm, Inc. at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267). Ingrid pursues all available remedies for families and injured seniors against those responsible.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
