I just wanted to make readers aware of the Chicago Sun Times headline today: “Cops Warn of ‘Sweetheart Scams.'” Reporter Lauren Fitzgerald interviewed several families in the city of Chicago whose older adult loved ones were swindled out of their savings by ‘Romanian Gypsies’.
Although the Chicago Sun Times is pushing this as ‘breaking news,’ as an elder law attorney I see it everyday and unfortunately, when the family is already in crisis mode. Clients come to our office after their father or grandfather has already been scammed out of thousands of dollars through gifts, forged checks, or false powers of attorney. As a caretaker of an older adult, always take into consideration that the “bad people” of the world may not always be in robbers garb, but could be the kind woman at church who has taken a recent interest in a widowed elderly man, or the maid who has access to the older adult’s home and can come and go as she pleases. Independent seniors, simply looking for companionship, can be vulnerable to these attacks. Elder abuse comes in all shapes and sizes.
Always contact a Chicago elder attorney if you suspect financial exploitation. Even if financial exploitation has not occurred, contact a Chicago elder law attorney to offer ways to plan ahead to protect and monitor the older adult’s estate. Peck Ritchey was hired by the City of Chicago to help re-write the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act and has years of experience fighting financial exploitation of older adults in the courtroom.
For the full Chicago Sun Times Article, please click here.