Elder financial abuse is the theft or embezzlement of money or any other property
from an elder. It can be as simple as taking money from a wallet and as complex
as manipulating a victim into turning over property to an abuser. This form of abuse
can be devastating because an elder victim’s life savings can disappear in the blink
of an eye, leaving them unable to provide for their needs and afraid of what an
uncertain tomorrow will bring.
It's sad, but estimates show that millions of seniors are victimized by financial abuse each year. The most frequent type of elder abuse is perpetrated by a family member who uses the resources of an elderly relative for their own benefit. Signs of elder financial abuse include unpaid bills, missing valuables, comments from the elderly person and isolation.
If you are or know a victim of elder financial abuse, you can call the Elder Abuse Hotline of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services Division at 1-800-624-8404.
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