FINANCIAL FRAGILITY

Amiddle-aged widow with adult children but who lives alone strikes up a Facebook fl irtation with a man. He has a handsome profi le picture and fi lls a void in her life. She feels a connection to this man and develops feelings, which she believes he reciprocates, though he tells her others wouldn’t understand their love. He wants to be with her, but there’s this nagging legal issue he needs to clear up – it’s a total misunderstanding, he swears – and he needs some money before he can come and be with her. He keeps asking for more and more money, before he disappears.

He’s not who he says he is – he’s a scammer, running a romance con. Scams that revolve around this type of story are considered “imposter scams” – the No. 1 fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network, which cost consumers more than $667 million in 2019, and that’s only the amount reported to the FTC.

It can be hard to talk about money, no matter your age or if you’re a parent or a child. It’s even harder to talk about the embarrassment of being taken advantage of fi nancially. Unfortunately, scams and scammers exist and though Jon Miller Steiger, East Central region director of the FTC in Cleveland, says people of all ages can be scammed, imposter scams similar to the romance con tend to hit older Americans more – and harder.

According to the FTC, the median loss in a scam for a person in their 20s is about $448, but the median for a person in their 70s is about $800. Steiger says even though older Americans tend to be perceived as easier targets for a variety of reasons, there’s no reason to be ashamed of being scammed, because scammers target anyone and everyone.

“The scammers are professionals,” Steiger says. “I think what is unique to older Americans is they fear if they talk to anyone about being victimized, their liberty will be at risk. That’s the most dangerous thing, when someone keeps it to themselves and tries to deal with it on their own.”

He says he thinks it is an incorrect assumption that falling victim to a scam is an indication of a cognitive issue. Thus, approaching the older adult to discuss such scams with that sensitivity in mind can be helpful, whether one is already a victim or the talk is a preventative measure.

“I also found it’s helpful to look on our website (FTC.gov) to fi nd info about the scam,” Steiger says. “If an adult child comes to that conversation (and) they say, ‘this is what this scam looks like, Mom. It sounds like what you went through, Mom, you can see how this works,’ (that’s) much more effective.”

Rachel Kabb-Effron, a certifi ed elder law attorney at The Kabb Law Firm in Beachwood, says keeping the lines of communication open between older parents and adult children is important, but sometimes the older parents need to keep some aspects of their fi nances private.

“Sometimes the kids are the ones using the parents as a bank,” she says. “I see that much more than parents getting scammed by outsiders.”

She says from her perspective, the biggest issue is when older adults do begin to show signs of a cognitive issue and start “hoarding the fi nancial documents” because they were scammed, or need help with their fi nances but are ashamed to talk about it. “Whether it’s a scam or needing help to pay the bills, this Know the warning signs for scams targeting older adults, money mismanagement associated with aging By Ed Carroll FRAGILITY FINANCIAL

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October 31, 2015 I am a current client We had a good fit with the caregiver. She was a perfect fit for us. Shelly understands what we need and picked up on where everything is in the kitchen quickly. Communication between us is excellent. She is a real winner. I feel she is someone to look forward seeing again. Steve V. - September 30, 2015 Power of attorney They were very caring and helpful. Prompt to reply and thorough in their approach. The caregivers were exceptional. Can't recommend highly Daily Health Reminders, Meal Planning & Preparation Ambulation, Dressing & Bathing Assistance Alzheimer's, Stroke Recovery & Hospice Support Safety Supervision & Transportation Minnie and Ramona - October 28, 2015 I am a past client My caregiver is so compassionate. She was so much help. She went above and beyond. Right at Home is a wonderful company and their employees are professionnal, hardworking and always looking to help where we need them. We would use them again and would recommend them to anyone. Dr. A - October 31, 2015 I am a current client We had a good fit with the caregiver. She was a perfect fit for us. Shelly understands what we need and picked up on where everything is in the kitchen quickly. Communication between us is excellent. She is a real winner. I feel she is someone to look forward seeing again. Steve V. - September 30, 2015 Power of attorney They were very caring and helpful. Prompt to reply and thorough in their approach. The caregivers were exceptional. Can't recommend highly enough.

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person can be scammed out of hundreds of thousands in no time,” she says. “I think a lot of times shame suffers mostly in the dark, but if we can get it out in the open – and let the parents know that it’s not their fault and the reason people get scammed is (because of) con artists (who) do this for a reason – then we stop the cycle of giving money to this (scammer).”

James Carnovale, senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer of Judson Services, Inc. in Cleveland, says open dialogue and communication between older Americans and their adult children about finances isn’t always easy, particularly with the uncertainly that can come with the costs of both living and health care. He says older adults shouldn’t be ashamed to seek professional financial help, but if adult children are keeping an eye on their older parents, they should look out for a few things.

“They may be having memory issues and as a result, become overwhelmed with managing their finances, including paying bills late or not paying them at all,” Carnovale says. “It is oftentimes difficult for adult children to notice subtle changes in

Carnovale

Kabb-Effron

Steiger

their parents’ ability to manage their daily affairs, especially if the adult children are not local.

“It is important for adult children to be sensitive to possible changes in their parents’ actions, behaviors and communications with them. Some warning signs may include changes in conversation patterns, avoidance of discussing finances (and) parents not being open about their daily activities when they have (been) in the past. These are all signals that something may not be right. … Then it takes a family to really become more involved, reach out and see what’s happening. For out-of-town adult children, this may require an unplanned visit”.

Carnovale says presenting the information regarding the problem in a non-judgmental way can be a good start to approaching older parents.

“Share with your parents the risk factors we see as adult children, including the numerous types of scams focused towards aging adults, the importance of paying bills on time, (and) opening and looking at bank, investment and credit card statements for potential issues,” he says, adding it can be helpful to have an adult child receive duplicate bank statements and account alerts, or be a co-signer on accounts.

“It’s much easier to have a plan in place to assist your parents before there is a need than after it’s too late,” Carnovale says. “Be honest, sensitive and share your concerns, and let your parents know you love them and want the best for them.” BF

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