elderfinancial-abuse, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu

Elder Abuse Unit

"Enhancing Awareness, Prevention and Prosecution of Elder Abuse"

Financial Abuse

Financial Abuse is the mismanagement of money, property or other assets belonging to a senior.

When to suspect you have been a victim of financial abuse:

Unusual activity in your bank accounts - such as numerous withdrawals or attempts to withdraw a large sum of money
A friend or caretaker asks for a loan and tells the senior to keep it a secret. This can be a warning sign that the person does not intend to repay the loan.
Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
Change in banking patterns
Unexplained disappearance of valuable possessions
Substandard care and unpaid bills despite adequate finances
Statements by the elder about suspected financial exploitation

An example of financial abuse:

An 85 year old woman had her checkbook stolen from her home by her adult granddaughter. Her granddaughter had a substance abuse problem and did not have a job. By the time the grandmother discovered the irregularities in her checking account, 25,000.00 had been stolen. When arrested by the police, the granddaughter's excuse was that she was most likely going to get the money anyway when the victim died.

Tips to Protect yourself from financial abuse

Cancel all credit cards you are not using.
Never keep your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your ATM card in your wallet.
Never give your credit or ATM cards to a family member or friend to buy things for you. Give them cash or reimburse them with a check.
Try to balance your checkbook on a monthly basis. Immediately inform your bank or credit card company of activity that does not appear to be your own.
Report financial abuse to the Honolulu Police Department or Adult Protective Services.
Deal with only license contractors and ask for their contractor's license.
Don't pay cash for construction and don't pay the full amount for a construction job before it is completed.

Often times the victim of financial abuse or exploitation does not realize that they are being taken advantage of or victimized because the perpetrator has manipulated them over time to gain their trust or dependence. This process is referred to as controlling someone through "undue influence."

Signs of Undue Influence

Isolation of elder from family and friends
Control of elderly person's mail, phone calls, visitor outings
Promises to elder she/he will take care of them for life
Never leaving the side of the victim
Creation of dependency and lack of faith in their own abilities

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