Illinois Department on Aging warns of scam against seniors - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader

Illinois Department on Aging warns of scam against seniors

The Illinois Department on Aging is warning seniors of a scam to steal their money.

The scheme reportedly involves a man who calls victims and tells them he works at their bank. He then gets information from victims' bank statements and tells them he believes a bank employee is stealing money from them. He asks for victims help in catching the person by making withdrawals of money and meeting with him to give him the money. He has so far gotten away with almost $7,000.

Two elderly female victims have been reported by Springfield police.

"Financial exploitation is the most common reported type of elder abuse. It's disgusting that there are people who target older adults in order to steal their money," IDoA Director John K. Holton, Ph.D., said. "A good rule of thumb is to never give anyone who calls on the phone, or sends email, personal information, including bank information."

Clues that a senior has fallen victim to financial exploitation include:

• Sudden changes in bank accounts or bank practices
• Inclusion of additional names on a senior's bank signature card
• Unauthorized withdrawal(s) of the victim's funds using the victim's ATM or credit card
• Large sums of money loaned with no repayment arrangement
• Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents
• Excessive charge for residence or services
• Complaints of deception or theft of funds or property

To learn more about elder abuse and financial exploitation, visit www.state.il.us/aging/.