Warning signs of financial exploitation can include sudden changes to a will, power of attorney, or bank account beneficiaries; unexplained withdrawals or missing funds; a new 'friend' or caregiver who becomes unusually involved in financial matters; unpaid bills despite adequate income; and the senior seeming confused, secretive, or fearful about money. If financial exploitation is suspected, report it to the county DSS Adult Protective Services office where the adult lives.
What to do next
Financial exploitation is one of the most underreported forms of elder mistreatment because it often unfolds gradually and can involve someone the older adult trusts, such as a caregiver, new acquaintance, or even a family member, making victims reluctant to report it or even recognize what's happening. Warning signs families should watch for include a sudden reluctance to discuss finances, new individuals accompanying the senior to the bank or insisting on handling mail and bills, unusual bank activity like large or repeated withdrawals, and rapid or unexplained changes to legal documents such as a will, deed, or power of attorney. In North Carolina, suspected financial exploitation of an older or disabled adult falls under the same Adult Protective Services reporting system as physical abuse or neglect, meaning a report goes to the county DSS office where the adult resides -- Wake County residents can report to Wake County Human Services at 919-212-7264. Acting quickly matters, since financial exploitation losses are often difficult or impossible to fully recover once funds have moved.
Related questions
- How do I report suspected elder abuse or neglect in Wake County?
- Is there one statewide Adult Protective Services hotline for North Carolina, or does it vary by county?
- What is the phone number for Adult Protective Services in Durham County?
- What's the difference between calling Adult Protective Services and calling the state facility complaint line?
- What number do I call to report problems with conditions inside a licensed nursing home or adult care home in North Carolina?
- What should I do if I think my elderly parent is in immediate physical danger right now?
- Does Adult Protective Services get involved if my mother is being neglected by a family caregiver at home, not in a facility?
