Elder Financial Abuse Flying Under The Radar?

Elder financial abuse is the subject of an editorial series in the Contra Costa Times (Northern California). The first column in the series discusses the problems that vulnerable senior citizens face as a result of shameless predators seeking them out, many times actually befriending them, for the purpose of fleecing them of their homes and money. The following excerpts include two of the anectdotes cited in the column as examples of the types of cases that may be widespread but not getting needed attention from lawmakers, law enforcement, or the press:

• An ex-convict who works at an Antioch car wash "befriends" an 82-year-old customer with dementia. Over time, he not only persuades the World War II veteran to give him more than $300,000 in cash and annuities, but he also gets the elderly man to change his will making him sole beneficiary.

• An East Palo Alto woman takes out a $200,000 loan on her 92-year-old grandmother's house without her knowledge. She leaves the wheelchair-bound senior alone in a house full of rats while she goes on a $75,000 shopping spree -- buying herself a champagne-colored Hummer. After her arrest, she gets a mortgage broker to bring her loan documents in jail so she can take out another $400,000 loan on her grandmother's house.

For the seven editorials in the series (may require free registration), see:

1. Endangered Seniors (Elder financial abuse has become a hidden national epidemic) (12-9-07),
2. Theft of Elder Nation: An editorial series (Elder court is crucial) (12-10-07) (The focus is on Alameda County's Elder Protection Court in Oakland, California - reportedly "the only court in the country that handles civil and criminal complaints involving elderly victims in the same central location."),
3. Theft of Elder Nation: An editorial series (Getting involved early is critical) (12-11-07),
4. Theft of Elder Nation: An editorial series (State needs to revoke theft license) (12-12-07),
5. Theft of Elder Nation: An editorial series (Requiring reporting) (12-13-07),
6. Theft of Elder Nation: An editorial series (Place legal curbs on 'rescue' practice) (12-14-07),
7. Theft of Elder Nation: An editorial series (Close legal loopholes on persuasion) (12-15-07),
8. It's time for strong action against elder abuse (12-31-07).

For more on the Elder Protection Court, see KTVU Channel 2 report, Alameda Court Takes Aim At Elder Abuse; or here to watch the KTVU video report.

Go here for all posts on this Contra Costa Times editorial series on elder financial abuse.

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