Elderly individuals deserve respect, compassion, and care. Unfortunately, there are some individuals out there who prey on these members of society, taking advantage of issues like memory deterioration or not being familiar with modern approaches to everyday transactions. In particular, there are a few scams that older individuals are more likely to experience. The following guide highlights some of these examples so you’ll know when to contact an elder law attorney for assistance. 

A Guide to Scams Elder Law Attorneys Handle

1. Unsolicited Home Repairs

Younger individuals are likely familiar with the processes associated with hiring a handyman. In traditional situations, you would research and select a particular professional ahead of time, discuss the specific repairs needed, get a quote, and only pay once the work was completed. However, elderly individuals with memory issues might not be as knowledgeable about this process, making them susceptible to scams.

Con artists go directly to the senior’s home, uninvited, and make claims about work that needs to be done. Because most people aren’t familiar with the mechanics of home maintenance, these individuals may believe them. At this point, the con artist would say they need money upfront, and once they are paid, they leave without doing the work.

2. Telemarketing Fraud

If you’re like most people, you’ve experienced the annoyance of a telemarketing call in your life. However, these marketing ploys are more modern than most elderly individuals are used to, leaving them susceptible to schemes. In these instances, the criminal may claim the senior has won a prize or trip, telling them all they need for them to collect their winnings is a social security or credit card number. Because they aren’t familiar with the suspicious behaviors of telemarketers, seniors may believe them and give away sensitive information, leading to theft. 

3. Fake Car Accidents

It’s easy enough for scammers to guess if an individual has a grandchild based on their age. This information can often be found via a simple internet search. In these schemes, the con artist calls the elderly individual pretending to be a grandchild that was involved in a car accident and is at the police station. They’ll say they need a wire transfer to cover bail or attorney fees. In a desire to help their loved ones, elderly individuals may rush to send the money, not realizing the legal system doesn’t work this way. 

If you believe your family member was the victim of one of these crimes, get in touch with Stuart R. Norman Jr., an elder law attorney in New London County, CT. With over 40 years of legal experience and a commitment to helping clients obtain justice, he has the skills and insight needed to represent your loved one’s interests. Visit his website to learn more about him, or call (860) 376-0069 to discuss your case today.