There are currently three known cases of identity theft in Tazewell County, IL alone in which the accused stole thousands of dollars from their elderly parents.
Many older individuals trust their grown children to handle their finances responsibly and use their savings to pay for medical care and nursing home expenses. Unfortunately, responsible decisions are not always made. For example, 37-year-old Tina Roten used her mother’s Social Security information and name to open a credit card, on which she charged over $10,000. Her mother found out about the charges only after her credit tanked. In the other cases, family members have discovered financial abuse after their loved one’s bank accounts were drained to only a few dollars. If convicted, those accused could face up to 15 years in prison.
Sadly, older Americans are prime targets for identity theft, and far too frequently are victims of their own family members. If you or another member of your family has been a victim of elder financial abuse, contact the lawyers of Peck Ritchey, LLC, at (855) 328-5787 so we can help end the abuse.