For immediate release:                 June 15, 2021

Contact:                                         JoDonn Chaney, Communications Director

                                                       (573) 526-0949

 

Ashcroft Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

 Jefferson City, Mo. — In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is reminding Missourians to be on the lookout for signs of elder financial abuse.

“Each year thousands of Missouri senior citizens are exploited by fraudsters,” Ashcroft said. ”My office is committed to investigating claims of fraudulent investment opportunities, however, we need the public’s support and partnership to bring much needed attention to this serious matter.” 

While financial abuse can happen at any time, perpetrators often strike during times in a senior’s life when they may be more vulnerable, such as during a health crisis or after the death of a loved one. Scammers often gather personal details from obituaries and social media posts and use this information to target their victims. Some even will exploit trust within seniors’ social and support groups to become more involved in their lives.

 What to Watch For

Senior financial exploitation can be difficult to identify or recognize. The Secretary of State’s Securities Division gives these five examples of warning signs to watch for among the seniors in your lives:

  • A new and overly protective friend or caregiver or surrendering control of finances to a new friend or partner.
  • Fear or sudden change in feelings about somebody.
  • A lack of knowledge about financial status or reluctance to discuss financial matters.
  • Sudden or unexplained changes in spending habits, a will, trust, or beneficiary designations.
  • Unexplained checks made out to cash, unexplained loans, or unexplained disappearance of assets. Watch for suspicious signatures on the senior’s checks or other documents.

How You Can Help

  • While in-person visits may still be limited due to the pandemic, be sure to keep in touch with older family members, friends, and neighbors. Call or leave a note on their front door. If they have the technology, send them a text or email, or contact them via Facetime, Skype, Zoom or other video apps. Contact is key to letting your loved ones know you are thinking of them.
  • Let your older family members know that fraudsters and scammers have found ways to exploit the pandemic. Make them aware of the red flags of fraud, which remain consistent regardless of the fraud or scam.
  • Ashcroft asks anyone with suspicions of possible senior financial exploitation to contact the Securities Division by calling the Investor Protection Hotline at (800) 721-7996 or The Vulnerable Citizen Services Hotline at (855) 653-7300 and by visiting www.missouriprotectsinvestors.com.

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 Visit www.sos.mo.gov to learn more about the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State.