ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Cash, Checks And Credit Cards Stolen From Patient Rooms
Two Prior Convictions For Elder Abuse
Allegedly Used Stolen Credit Cards At Multiple Stores
Most news reports of financial abuse by caregivers involve in-home caregivers stealing under their patient’s own roofs. But there is a real danger of financial elder abuse of nursing home and assisted care facility residents as well at the hands of facility staff. The thefts may range from cash, checks, jewelry or credit cards stolen from the resident’s room to accessing a resident’s bank funds based on information in the resident’s business office files. The abuser may target one resident or may steal from a number of residents. The offender may even by someone who has stolen from seniors before at another facility. Wherever financial elder abuse occurs and whoever the responsible parties are, Evans Law Firm. Inc. can represent victims and their families, and pursue all persons responsible, including the owners, administrators and staff directly responsible or as supervisors with a duty to protect residents from any kind of abuse. 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 Sentenced For Theft From Seven Care Facility Residents
In one recently reported case,[1] an aide allegedly stole money, checks and credit cards from seven elderly residents at two assisted living facilities. The former caregiver has been sentenced to four years in county jail and denied a request for probation, the California Attorney General’s Office recently announced. The caregiver allegedly stole from her seven victims while working at two Southern California assisted care facilities. Despite having two prior convictions for financial elder abuse and related crimes, she was able to work with senior citizens by using her sister’s identity and threatened her sibling in order to use her identifying information, according to prosecutors. While working at the facilities, she allegedly took credit cards, checks, and cash from victims’ rooms, then used the stolen funds to buy merchandise from various retail stores. The total loss was valued at around $18,000, according to the AG’s office.
“Stealing from senior citizens doesn’t only rob them of their cash, it robs them of their independence and endangers their overall financial health,” former California Attorney General Bonta said. “Today’s sentencing is a step towards justice for those whose money and belongings were stolen from them. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to protect our elders, and all other vulnerable communities, against financial exploitation.”
Keeping Loved Ones Safe
If you have an older loved one in a nursing home or assisted care facility, make sure they don’t have any accessible cash, checks or credit cards in their room. Keep their jewelry and valuable personal possessions in a safe place too. Even if you think you have all their bank and credit card information secure, continue to monitor credit cards and bank accounts online. Make sure financial statements are mailed to your own 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. We will pursue all available remedies for injured seniors including an award of attorneys’ fees and costs for having to bring suit. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5.
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.
