What is elder financial abuse?

Elder financial abuse is a form of elder abuse that involves the misuse of an elderly person’s money, property, or other assets. It can include activities like forging an elderly person’s signature, misusing their credit cards, or even stealing their money outright. Elder financial abuse is often committed by someone that the elderly person trusts, such as a family member, friend, or even a health care provider. In Virginia, criminal laws have been passed to address elder financial abuse. These laws criminalize any behavior that takes money or property away from an elderly person without their consent. These laws also create serious consequences for those found responsible for elder financial abuse, including heavy fines and even jail time. There are also civil laws in Virginia that allow an elderly person who has been a victim of elder financial abuse to recover any money that was wrongfully taken from them. They may also be able to obtain an injunction to prevent any further financial abuse from occurring. If you are concerned that an elderly person in Virginia may be a victim of elder financial abuse, it is important to contact the police or a qualified elder law attorney to discuss the situation. The sooner the situation is identified and addressed, the more likely it is that the elderly person can recoup their losses and protect themselves from further harm.

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