Scammers aren’t the only criminals preying on older adults. Unfortunately, a small number of caregivers, relatives, “friends,” and health care workers are regularly caught exploiting vulnerable seniors for monetary gain through fraud, manipulation, and outright theft. As we all become older, it pays to have a set of dependable, trusted friends and relatives familiar with the signs of elder financial abuse.

Let’s face it, our physical and emotional strength slightly ebbs as we age. Mental acuity also declines in a number of seniors. Potential abusers are ready to profit on these vulnerabilities, and try to use them to steal savings, and other valuable assets and property like jewelry, cash, and even a senior’s home.

Elder financial abuse happens when someone uses a senior’s money, information or property for personal benefit. The abuser might steal money, trade or sell a senior’s property without their knowledge, hijack bank accounts and credit cards, or intentionally set up a senior to be a scam target. An abuser can be almost anyone, so it helps to recognize some red flags signaling financial elder abuse including:

• Important bills aren’t being paid, such as rent, utility, mortgage.

• You note a change in a senior’s behavior, such as being withdrawn or afraid all the time.

• There is suddenly someone trying to limit contact with your loved one.

• The odd news that a relative stranger has suddenly been appointed legal guardian of a loved one.

• A large increase in mailings and calls regarding sweepstakes, free gifts, or magazine subscriptions.

Ohio’s Department of Aging reports that an average of 88 cases of elder abuse are reported EVERY DAY in our state. And, like scams against older adults, the majority of elder abuse cases sadly are never reported.

If you suspect elder financial abuse, call 1-855-644-6277 and report your information to Ohio Adult Protective Services. You can also reach out to your local police department for help. Expose abusers and fraudsters for who they are — common criminals.

On a positive note, the start of the Valley’s holiday season is here as daylight begins to vanish. Enjoy your time with family and friends, and take time to reflect on our many blessings today. I am not going to tell you not to eat too much. I’ll leave the dietary advice to other writers specializing in that sort of thing!

If you have a question on a possible scam, talk to a family member or call your local police department. Seniors also can call their county Senior Services Unit for more information about scams. In Mahoning County, call Bob Schaeffer at 330-480-5078. In Trumbull County, call Don Hyde at 330-675-7096.

Dave Long of Poland, a Youngstown State University graduate, is a retired public affairs officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection who later worked as an Elder Scam Prevention Outreach specialist in Rochester, N.Y., before moving back to the Mahoning Valley.

Talks resume next year

Long answers questions during a series of monthly talks on the latest scams, why scammers target seniors and how to protect personal information. No more presentations will be given this year but they will resume at 1 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Poland Township Government Center, 3339 Dobbins Road, Poland.