Older Adults in Morris County exploited by family, caregivers, internet fraud, and cons are on the rise.
In recent years older adults "have suffered an average loss of $34,200" when victimized, according to the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
AARP reports the problem is "widespread and damaging." Government reports show that suspicious financial activity involved more than $6 billion in attempted and actual losses between 2013 and 2017.
Elder abuse cases vary considerably and can involving anyone from a son or a fiancée, or a caregiver or power of attorney abusing their relationship with an older person. Recently, in Morris County, the business manager of a local assisted living facility, admitted to stealing $237,000 from an elderly patient. The abuser was sent to prison and sentenced to pay victim restitution. The abuser gained access to the victim's checking account after agreeing to manage the victim's bills and pay for her care, said the U.S. attorney.
In another fraud case recently, an elderly Morris Township woman was scammed by a cell phone scam. The phone scammer stole $80,000 by posing as an Apple customer service representative, police said.
Police warn "that sophisticated criminals can manipulate technology to make it seem they are calling from a legitimate source, and "The Apple Inc. name displays with the Apple symbol," police advised. "Please always check by calling a company first before transferring any money. The scam could be from other companies than Apple, like a phone company, department store, or even the IRS. The victim, in this case, received an email from Apple warning her of an account breach. "That email may or may not have been legitimate, according to Capt. Richard Shearer, and the next day, she received a call from an individual who told her he could remove malware from her computer. She agreed and gave him remote access to her computer." according to the Daily Voice.
Please help us keep seniors safe by making the older adults you know aware of recent scams. Please share this information as it helps to prevent further victims in our senior community.
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Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/cfpb-report-financial-elder-abuse
https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/2020/02/12/elderly-woman-out-80-000-phony-apple-scam/4735162002/
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/morris/police-fire/feds-morris-county-assisted-living-manager-who-stole-237k-from-elderly-patient-sentenced/777172/
*Notes:
Elderly woman out $80,000 in phony 'Apple' scam. https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/2020/02/12/elderly-woman-out-80-000-phony-apple-scam/4735162002/