Murrieta Elder Financial Abuse Lawyer

Assistance for Suspected Financial Abuse in Riverside County

Is a loved one facing or at risk of losing their life savings due to undue influence or deceptive financial tactics by an account manager, caregiver, or family member? If you believe an elder is being targeted, then they are likely experiencing financial abuse.

Our firm is 100% dedicated to ensuring the safety of these vulnerable and valuable members of our community by advocating on their behalf within the fullest extent of the law.

Non-Spousal Financial Caregiver Abuse

One of the most common forms of financial abuse against elders is loss of funds due to a caregiver.

Red flags of a dishonest caregiver include:

• Sharing undue amounts of personal information or stories regarding clinical appointments
• Viewed phone calls or personal loan solicitations with elders
• Inquisitive about monetary matters
• Pessimism regarding bills being settled

Phishing/Electronic Fraud

Due to W-2 scams and fraudulent methods such as wire transfers, electronic fund transfers, and mailing checks, phishing through either phone or internet has unfortunately become an easy source of targeting the vulnerable.

If you or a loved one has experienced phishing, watch out for indicators like:

• ' Your account has been compromised” correspondence
• Unapproved credit cards
• Verification requests, especially requesting social security information

Power of Attorney Abuse

Beyond electronic vulnerabilities, power of attorney documents are reputable forms of legal guardianship. As with other forms of manipulation, however, they can be used corruptly to take advantage of an individual.

Power of Attorney (POA) manipulation include:

• An individual creates an estate power of attorney in order to handle another's affairs (this enables them to make legal and financial decisions independent of the victim's consent).
• Some individuals handle the at-risk elder's financial information and are capable of monitoring an account for activity.
• Sometimes abusive family members may move in with their elders to gain proximity. This facilitates more control over property, assets,
• They may discuss alleged matters that require financial support. It could be that a great grandchild is seriously ill (even more severe, they could have died) which requires the repayment of a fake loan, their taxes were miscalculated and they are now in danger of being audited, or the elder is guaranteed the return of a fortune if the financial savior is provided a small percentage of a larger sum of assets.

Suspect Financial Abuse? Contact Our Firm Today.

The right to make independent decisions should never be violated. Our attorney at the Law Office of Rob Schelling remains committed to the protection of our most vulnerable populations. Don't wait — whether you are witnessing financial abuse as a caregiver, child, sibling, or family friend of the elder — this extends to anyone in the community. If you are the elder, you deserve to have certainty and transparency in all financial transactions.

We can discuss your potential case today. Reach out to us by picture the contact us form.

FAQ for Murrieta Elder Financial Abuse Lawyer

1. What is elder financial abuse?
Elder financial abuse occurs when someone unlawfully or improperly uses an elderly person’s funds, property, or assets for their own benefit. This can involve deceptive tactics, undue influence, or outright fraud by individuals such as caregivers, family members, or financial professionals.

2. Who is most at risk for elder financial abuse?
Elderly individuals who are isolated, have cognitive impairments, or rely on caregivers or family members for assistance with daily activities are especially vulnerable to financial abuse. However, any elder can be at risk if someone with ill intentions has access to their financial information.

3. What are common signs of financial abuse by a caregiver?
Signs of financial abuse by a caregiver may include sudden changes in the elder’s finances, unauthorized withdrawals, unexplained expenses, or the caregiver showing unusual interest in the elder’s financial matters. Other red flags include excessive control over the elder’s finances or discussions about loans, bills, or expenses that seem suspicious.

4. How can phishing or electronic fraud target elders?
Phishing scams, often conducted through phone or internet, attempt to steal sensitive financial information such as social security numbers, credit card details, or bank account numbers. Common signs of phishing scams include unsolicited emails or calls requesting personal information, fraudulent alerts about compromised accounts, or unapproved credit card charges.

5. What is power of attorney (POA) abuse, and how does it happen?
Power of attorney abuse occurs when someone entrusted with legal authority to manage an elder’s finances or property uses that authority for personal gain. This could involve misappropriating funds, manipulating decisions without the elder’s consent, or using the power of attorney document to steal assets.