12 Ways to Identify Financial Abuse Against Seniors

January 19, 2021 · Retirement Life

A senior man hesitating to sign a bank document at a desk. — An elderly man looks concerned while preparing to sign a joint bank account application form.

Realize a joint account is a disadvantage

When someone comes up with the idea to set up a joint bank account or be given power of attorney to signs on your credit card accounts, it might be a warning sign that their intentions are not to help you manage your money but take it away from you.

Although they might say it’s in your best interest and they’re doing it to relieve you of some of your financial responsibilities and associated stress, they are actually doing it to have access to your funds and credit cards for their own expenses.

A senior person pointing at a transaction on a banking app. — A senior reviews mobile bank transactions on a smartphone to identify any suspicious or unexplained withdrawals.

Watch out for mail or password changes

“Help” might come in the form of a new email address or a new password for your bank account, so that you no longer have access to bank or credit statements. And while you’re being kept in the dark, all under the disguise of keeping you from overspending, it is the so-called friend who is spending your money behind your back.

If your accounts are out of funds or your bills pile up, you’ll only accumulate debt that will affect your credit rating. Not to mention someone you trust is using your money for their own benefits.