Crimes Against Our Seniors

The issue of senior abuse is a growing problem as Michigan’s population grows older. According to the United States Census Bureau, persons over the age of 65 increased 21% in Michigan, while persons under the age of 65 decreased by 2%. It is projected that by the year 2010, two million Michigan residents will be over 65 years of age. That is 16.6% of Michigan’s projected population.

FACTS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE

The victims:

• 75% of victims are female
• 80% of all victims have income under $10,000 a year
• The average age of abused elders is 75

The abusers:

• The family is the single greatest source of elder abuse
• In more than half the cases, the abuser is a child of the victim
• Over 2/3 are middle aged or older
• Most live with the victim
• Most neglect is committed by female family members
• Most physical abuse is committed by male family members

The causes:

• Inability to deal with stress
• Financial burdens
• Unemployment
• Job dissatisfaction
• Rising cost of medical care
• Demands on caregiver’s time
• Rise in family violence

Types of abuse:

• Physical abuse – This involves the beating of the elderly.
• Neglect – This occurs when an elderly person is not receiving the basic day-to-day care that they need.
• Psychological – This may involve the threat of violence, isolation, or deprivation of basic freedoms of choice and happiness
• Financial – Many times the elderly turn their personal finances over to a family caregiver with the hope of avoiding probate court. Crimes committed are: theft, mismanagement of money, or the sale of property without consent.

Elderly crime victim statistics: (from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center)

In 1999, overall crime was down 5% in Michigan, but crime against persons over 65 was up, including:

• Larceny - up 4%
• Fraud - up 8%
• Burglary - up 11%
• Stolen property - up 17%
• Non-Aggravate Assault - up 18%
• Neglect - up 36%

TELEMARKETING FRAUD

Most people think they are safe from crime when they are secure in their own home. The truth is criminals use the telephone as a tool to scam people of their savings, often with devastating consequences. Telemarketing fraud is believed to cost Americans $40 billion a year and older people are disproportionately targeted.

Why the Elderly are Targeted

• Elderly are more trusting
• Elderly are polite toward strangers
• It’s hard to know a sales call is legitimate
• Telemarketers call when they are feeling lonely
• Telemarketers seem to have all the answers
• Telemarketers offer free prizes and gifts

Types of phone scams

• Prize offers
• Travel packages
• Health products
• Investments
• Charities
• Recovery scams

TIPS FOR AVOIDING TELEMARKETING FRAUD

• Remember the caller is NOT your friend
• The caller only wants your money
• Don’t be pushed into a decision
• Your best protection is to HANG UP
• Do not give out personal information such as credit card, Social Security, or bank account numbers, unless you initiated the call.

FEDERAL TELEMARKETING SALES RULES

Telemarketers must tell you:

• The name of their company
• The fact it is a sales call
• What is being sold
• You cannot be asked to pay anything for a prize
• You cannot be asked to pay anything in advance for services
• If you tell them not to call again, they can’t

LINKS:

Federal Trade Commission

American Association of Retired Persons