Q: What is financial fraud?
A: Financial fraud is when someone who does not have a personal relationship with a senior causes the senior a monetary or property loss. It includes telemarketing and Internet fraud, home improvement and driveway scams, fake prizes or foreign lottery scams, counterfeit checks and money orders, charity fraud, and health related scams.
Q: Where do I report financial fraud?
A: If you suspect financial fraud, contact your local police department. If you believe someone has been, or may be, a victim more than once, also contact your local Protective Services agency or the Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275.
Q: What is financial exploitation?
A: Financial exploitation is when someone a senior knows, such as family, friends or neighbors, causes the senior to lose money or property. It includes using checks and credit cards without the senior’s permission, misusing a Power of Attorney, forging legal documents, theft of money or belongings, and transferring property without the senior’s knowledge or consent. Financial exploitation does not exist if the senior gives the money or property to someone as a gift or knows about and consents to the financial transaction, unless threats or duress are involved.
Q: Where do I report financial exploitation?
A: If you suspect financial exploitation, you should contact your local Protective Services agency or the Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275.
Q: What other types of problems does Elder Protective Services help with?
A: Elder Protective Services addresses physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of seniors. Protective Services also helps in cases of caretaker neglect and self neglect.
Q: Who can report elder abuse?
A: Anyone who suspects that a senior is being abused, neglected or financially exploited can report it. The identity of the reporter remains confidential.
Q: Is there anyone who is required by law to report elder abuse?
A: Massachusetts law requires certain professionals to report elder abuse. Mandated Reporters include doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, police, firefighters, emergency responders, senior outreach workers, directors of home health agencies, and certain other healthcare/ home care workers. A mandated reporter must first make a verbal report and then file a written report within 48 hours. A mandated reporter who knows about elder abuse and does not report it can be fined.
Q: Where do I report elder abuse?
A: Call your local Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) during normal business hours. You can make reports to the Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the senior is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Q: Once I make a report, what happens next?
A: Every report is reviewed. If appropriate, a Protective Services caseworker meets with the senior. The caseworker may contact others involved in the senior’s life, as permitted by the senior. If abuse, neglect or financial exploitation is present, the caseworker works with the senior to alleviate the problems.
Protective Services is available to all seniors living in the community, regardless of income. Other services provided may include counseling, legal services, money management, adult day health, home health care, transportation, assistance to obtain housing, and safety planning.
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