What is Financial or Material Abuse?
Examples: fraud, theft, taking property without permission, assuming ownership of money or items, scamming (which can be in person, by letter, phone and internet), coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs including the writing of or changing a Will, and misuse of benefits. Financial abuse can involve small and large amounts of money or value of property.
Possible Indicators:
Sudden inability to pay bills
Sudden debt
Unexplained or unusual patterns of cash withdrawal from an account
Lack of belongings that the adult can clearly afford
Resistance by family to give explanation for unusual financial activity
Extraordinary interest by family in an adult’s assets
Purchase of items that the adult would not usually buy or need
Personal items going missing
The main interest shown by a family member is financial and not the in relation to the care of the adult
Don’t Ignore It. Report It!
If you suspect a neighbour, friend or family member is being neglected or abused, or you need help yourself:
Report it to the relevant Local Authority or Police.