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Coalition helps seniors guard against abuse
by Jason Dietrich
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. Don’t sign blank checks allowing another person to fill in the amount.
It’s the kind of common-sense advice a father or mother might give. But it’s also the kind of warning that is often overlooked, particularly by senior citizens, once their trust has been won. While people over 65 make up 13 percent of the population, they comprise 30 to 35 percent of the victims of scams and other types of financial fraud according to KEEP-SAFE, an organization fighting elder abuse in the South Bay.
Raising awareness of financial abuse was the goal of KEEP-SAFE’s meeting at the Portofino Hotel in the Redondo Beach Harbor on Monday. The gathering of South Bay financial institutions, senior services, police departments and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office aimed to help community members fight the financial exploitation of elders.
The group has set up a task force to train workers at local banks in recognizing signs of manipulation or scams.
"Problems show up at the banks. If someone appears confused and is taking an unusual amount of money out of their account, or someone else is talking for them then the tellers need to start asking questions. Maybe they need to get their supervisor involved. Hopefully we can catch some of this," said Ed Long, one of the program’s founders.
Along with their training programs, the organization has printed brochures aimed towards potential victims. Included is advice on preventing and dealing with financial exploitation and a hotline number, (877) 477-3646 for reporting elder financial abuse.
"This is how problems get solved. Good groups in the community, working with banks and law enforcement to support a coalition like this one," said keynote speaker Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley.
Abuse-prevention presentations are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the Little Company of Mary Hospital, call 543-5980 for reservations, and 12:30 p.m. Monday, July 30 at the Knob Hill Community Center in Redondo Beach, call 318-0650 for information. To become involved with the KEEP SAFE Coalition, call 533-1996 or visit www.keep-safe.org. ER