Fraud & Financial Abuse of Older Persons

• NCJ Number: 179443
• Author(s): Russell G. Smith
• Date Published: October 1999
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice No. 132

Annotation

This paper reports on the incidence of fraud and financial abuse of older persons.

Abstract

The paper considers the threats that face older persons in terms of their vulnerability to acts of fraud and financial abuse. Relatives were the more likely perpetrators of fraud, and one area requiring scrutiny was the use of enduring Powers of Attorney. The development of new technologies for purchasing goods and services (such as the Internet and electronic commerce) creates potential for fraud, as do traditional areas in health care, accommodation services and investment services. The paper lists prevention and control strategies that include legislation, law enforcement, education and information, and enhanced reporting. The New South Wales Advisory Committee on Abuse of Older People (1994) developed ways to establish a working relationship among agencies with an interest in the abuse of older people and in providing services to them. References