Financial abuse, financial or material mistreatment, economic exploitation… call it what you like, it all amounts to the same thing.
Financial abuse occurs when someone close to you benefits economically from you, at your expense.
The seniors most at risk
Anyone can be a victim of financial abuse, but vulnerable people, including seniors, are the most affected, perhaps because of:
- Accumulated wealth;
- A decline in cognitive, physical or functional abilities;
- Physical, emotional, social or functional dependence on another person;
- Social isolation or a limited support network.
Recognizing financial abuse
Financial abuse comes in different shapes, especially:
- Emotional blackmail for obtaining money or something of value;
- Pressure to change a will, to make a purchase or to sign a contract;
- Unauthorized bank transactions (purchases or transfers);
- Unreimbursed loans;
- Abusive use of power of attorney;
- Asset management that is not in the senior’s interest or that deprives the senior of necessary goods or services.
Many kinds of financial abuse are crimes, but very few are reported.
A silent phenomenon
Most of the time, the abuser is not a stranger to the victim. They may be a family member, an acquaintance, a spouse or an ex-spouse.
Many seniors don’t dare complain out of fear of the possible fallout: abandonment, neglect, threats or reprisal. What’s more, vulnerable people are often unable to file a complaint themselves. Also, they might not be aware of the exploitation they are being subjected to. When this happens, the abuse may go unnoticed by the people around them.
To find out more about financial abuse, see these websites:
- Quebec.ca;
- Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse;
- Autorité des marchés financiers.
Recourse
Do you need support or a compassionate ear?
Use the AAA helpline: The Elder Mistreatment Helpline/The Mistreatment Helpline (1-888-489-2287).
Do you have a complaint about AAA helpline services? Contact the service quality and complaints commissioner of CIUSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.
Do you want to speak out against financial abuse you experienced or witnessed?
Turn to the:
- Service quality and complaints commissioner of the CISSS or CIUSSS concerned;
- Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (1-800-361-6477).
- Curateur public, if the victim is considered incapable.
Are you dissatisfied with the response of the service quality and complaints commissioner or the Curateur public? Contact the Protecteur du citoyen. Our services are free and confidential.
Also see: Elder abuse: to denounce it you need to recognize it
