South Carolina Office of the Attorney General recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Warns of risks of investment fraud among

seniors due to increased isolation during COVID-19

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) — June 19, 2020 - In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) earlier this week, the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General reminds financial professionals and the public throughout South Carolina that heightened isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic have created a perfect storm for senior financial exploitation.

“Social isolation has long been one of the leading factors contributing to the financial exploitation of older investors, and the unprecedented quarantines to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus have taken social isolation to a new dimension for many seniors, making them more vulnerable to financial exploitation,” Attorney General Alan Wilson said.

Wilson also took the opportunity to promote important legislation aimed at stemming the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.  “My office supports legislation requiring certain individuals managing a vulnerable adult’s finances to contact adult protective services and the Attorney General’s Office if they suspect that abuse or exploitation has taken place.”

While perpetrators often strike during times in a senior’s life when they may be more vulnerable, such as during a health crisis or after the death of a loved one, Wilson points out that financial abuse can occur anytime.  Scammers often gather personal details from obituaries and social media posts and use this information to target their victims. Some even will exploit trust within seniors’ social and support groups to become more involved in their lives.

What to Watch For

Senior financial exploitation can be difficult to identify or recognize. Below are five examples of warning signs to watch for among the seniors in your lives:

• A new and overly protective friend or caregiver or surrendering control of finances to a new friend or partner.
• Fear or sudden change in feelings about a family member or other acquaintance.
• A lack of knowledge about financial status or reluctance to discuss financial matters.
• Sudden or unexplained changes in spending habits, a will, trust, or beneficiary designations.
• Unexplained checks made out to cash, unexplained loans, or unexplained disappearance of assets (cash, valuables, securities, etc.). Also, watch for suspicious signatures on the senior’s checks or other documents.

How You Can Help

• While in-person visits may not be possible yet, be sure to keep in touch with older family members, friends, and neighbors. Call or leave a note on their front door. If they have the technology, send them a text or email, or Facetime or Skype. Contact is key to letting your loved ones know you are thinking of them.
• Let your older family members know that fraudsters and scammers have found ways to exploit the pandemic. Make them aware of the red flags of fraud, which remain consistent regardless of the fraud or scam.
• Attorney General Wilson asks anyone with suspicions of possible senior financial exploitation to contact the agency at 803-734-9916 or [email protected].

Financial and investment professionals also are encouraged to contact the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General Securities Division at 803-734-9916 or [email protected] to request a Senior$afe presentation on how to spot and report suspected senior financial exploitation.