ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
What is caregiver fraud?
Caregiver fraud is a recurring form of financial elder abuse perpetrated on seniors by dishonest in-home caregivers or caregivers working in assisted care and skilled nursing facilities. The fraud tends to start out relatively small – theft of a small amount of cash or an unauthorized purchase on a senior’s credit card at the grocery store. Once a dishonest caregiver believes he or she is getting away with stealing, the amounts tend to grow over time. In extreme cases (such as the case reported below), the caregiver may try and take everything the senior has – all their money and even their home or make themselves a beneficiary on death in a will, trust, or deed.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial elder abuse by a caregiver or other person in San Francisco, call us today at (415)441-8669.  We will pursue all persons responsible for a senior’s injury. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
How are assisted care facility residents victims of caregiver fraud?
Caregiver fraud on assisted care facilities residents ranges to theft of their property from their rooms to more elaborate schemes of stealing money from their bank accounts or diverting their Social Security benefits to a caregiver’s own account.  Checks can be forged on stolen checks too, or used to pay a caregiver’s personal bills, as the reported case discussed below illustrates.
Is there a recent case example?
In one recently reported case,[1]  an individual was sentenced for stealing from a vulnerable adult while she was working at an assisted living facility. Financial records revealed that on October 31, 2023, and April 04, 2024, the caregiver paid a total of $3,722.66 of her own rent out of her patient’s bank account. The victim, who is in her 90s, said she was not aware of these transactions from her account and did not give her permission. While the victim was hospitalized, she told medical staff that her caretakers at the assisted care facility where she resided were stealing from her. After a social worker at the hospital alerted authorities, the victim was relocated to another facility, and her complaint was relayed for a criminal investigation.
The caregiver pleaded guilty to felony theft and was sentenced to four years, suspending all but time served with three years of supervised probation, and ordered to pay restitution of $3,722.66.
How can I protect an older loved one from financial elder abuse?
If your older loved one is in a care facility, make sure their checkbook, credit and debit cards, jewelry, cash and other valuables are away from reach of anyone with access to their room.  If a senior has any cards that they never use, destroy them and alert the relevant bank or credit card company that the card is discontinued. Never give a caregiver a credit card or ATM card to shop or get cash for a senior. Keep financial information, bank account numbers and Social Security numbers away from a caregiver’s or other stranger’s glance.  Never, ever grant a power of attorney to a caregiver. Visit your older loved one as regularly as you can to see firsthand how they are doing. Accompany older loved ones whenever they go shopping or go to the bank or have any sort of meeting about financial matters. Most important of all, if you suspect anything wrong, do something about it right away.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans represents elder and dependent adults in San Francisco who are victims of any kind of financial exploitation or other abuse. Ingrid can be reached at (415) 441-8669 or TOLL FREE 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267), or email us at <a href=”mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]</a>.Â
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the reported case in any way. The case was first reported on by a local television station.
