A recent newspaper article stated that “Elder abuse is predicted to increase”. Did you know that in 2010 about 7,500 Orange County senior citizens suffered financial and/or physical abuse?
Scams have become more and more common for elderly people. They are taken advantage of every day by someone who tricks them into giving them money for a charity or something that does not exist. Neighbors take advantage of them also. People they hire to do a job take advantage of them. Who can they trust?
Most recently, a member of the Orange County Council on Aging was taken advantage of. Someone who claimed to be his son asked for money to be wired to a Canadian account. The “son” said he had a cold and that’s why he didn’t sound right. The man believed him. Here is someone who works with elderly people all the time. If he fell for a scam, what does an ordinary elderly person do?
Elderly people need to check the reliability of people through organizations. If they are not able to do so, they should ask a family member or trusted friend.
If you or a loved one resides in a licensed care facility and are the victim of a scam or abuse, contact the Orange County Council on Aging at 714-479-0107. If you are a victim of a scam or abuse while residing in your own home, call Orange County’s Adult Protective Services at 714-451-5155.
If you need help getting justice for an elderly person who is the victim of a scam, abuse or neglect, contact an experienced Orange County Family Law attorney who will make sure justice is served.
