Seniors Learn About Fraud and Abuse

Like many seniors living alone or with a caretaker, “Jim” receives a phone call from a woman who told him that his grandson is stranded in Mexico and has been incarcerated. Money must be sent for his release. “Jim” goes to his bank the next day and wires $2,000 to the woman.

“Jim” is not alone. Many seniors are targeted for advance fee scams, in which they send money thinking that they will receive a return or that they are helping a loved one.

“While some of us might not think that it’s very probable, to a senior who’s at home all the time and may not be working, they think they’re helping someone that they know,” said Tina Wong-Erling, senior services supervisor of the City of Campbell.

Seniors are often victims of fraud and scams as well as financial, emotional and physical abuse. To help educate them and bring awareness to the issue, the Campbell Adult Center is holding a senior fraud and elder abuse seminar presented by victim witness elder abuse advocates Kasey Halcon and Lorene Diaz on August 15.

Wong-Erling said that many seniors don’t know that they should look into the validity of scams. The seminar is designed to help seniors and their caregivers know when scams are happening and what they should do.

“We hear about them unfortunately after the fact,” said Wong-Erling. “To seniors on fixed incomes, it can be quite devastating to be scammed out of a lot of money.”

The other half of the seminar will cover elder abuse including physical, emotional and neglect. Seniors often require the assistance of caretakers or family members. In some cases those who are supposed to be caring for them are abusing them.

“That’s something that is so crucial in our society because a lot of times in our society it’s not spoken about,” said Wong-Erling. “A lot of us think that this doesn’t happen to our elders and that they’re protected.”

Seniors will learn what abuse is, when they should act on it and who they can contact. Seniors should contact the Santa Clara County Adult Protective Services at 408-975-4900 to report adult abuse.

Wong-Erling said, “Elder abuse is really prevalent among all socioeconomic statuses.”

The senior fraud and elder abuse seminar is Wednesday, August 15 at 6 p.m. at the in room Q-80 and free to the public.