ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Cash, Checks And Credit Cards Stolen From Patient Rooms
Two Prior Convictions For Financial Elder Abuse
Theft Estimated At $18,000
Any nursing home residents is at risk of financial elder abuse at the hands of any unscrupulous caregivers, staff, and employee in the business office. The thefts may range from cash, checks, jewelry or credit cards stolen from the resident’s room to larger scale identity theft or accessing a resident’s bank funds based on information in the resident’s 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. When perpetrated against a dependent adult or senior such theft is also criminal financial elder abuse and grounds for civil liability against the person who took the property and anyone assisting them. Penal Code § 368; Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30(a)(1) and (2). 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 Santa Clara County or anywhere in the Bay Area or throughout California, call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Caregiver Sentenced For Theft From Several Residents
In a recently reported caregiver case,[1] an assisted care facility aide was sentenced to four years for allegedly stealing money, checks and credit cards from elderly residents at two assisted living facilities, according to the California Attorney General’s Office. The caregiver allegedly stole from seven victims while working at two Southern California assisted care facilities. Despite having two prior convictions for financial elder abuse and similar 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 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. Accompany older loved ones whenever they go shopping or go to the bank or have any sort of meeting about financial matters. You can be there to protect them from outright theft and the problems they may get into if they are sold an unsuitable investment or insurance product like an annuity. 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 Santa Clara 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.
