Elder financial abuse spikes during the holidays.
The 2011 MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse found that nearly one-third of elder abuse reported in news articles from November 2010 through January 2011 involved financial exploitation. And losses suffered by elders at the hands of family, friends, and neighbors were higher than any other category during this time of year.
To help seniors protect themselves, Consumer Reports publicized new national telephone hotlines that went live in November.
Financial Abuse Questions: 888.303.3297
Ask Adult Protective Services professionals questions about elder financial exploitation and how to prevent or stop it.
Medical Questions: 888.303.0430
Health care professionals can help callers spot the warning signs of vulnerability to financial abuse.
General Finance Questions: 888.227.1776
Experts from the Financial Planning Association can help elders or their adult children help prevent elder investment fraud and financial exploitation.
ShieldTheVulnerable.org offers online courses to help protect students, tweens, teens, vulnerable adults, and the elderly from physical and emotional abuse, bullying, financial exploitation, and neglect.
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