Elder abuse is an alarming and often hidden issue that affects millions of older adults every year. It can take many forms, physical, emotional, or financial, but one of the most common is economic exploitation.
Is Your Loved One Being Exploited?
Sadly, it often comes from those we least expect: trusted friends, caregivers, or even family members.
The Scary Truth
- 1 in 5 aged 65 or older reports being a victim of financial fraud or abuse.
- 9 in 10 who commit elder abuse are family members or other trusted individuals.
- $36.5 billion is exploited from elders each year.
Even worse, many victims cannot report what happened, making the real numbers even higher.
What to Know
Scammers often target older or vulnerable members with emotional manipulation or false urgency for example, “Your grandson is in jail, and you need to send money immediately.” These scams prey on concern and panic, pushing victims to act without verifying the facts.
Warning Signs of Financial Exploitation
- Unusual activity, such as wire transfers or large withdrawals, that is not typical for the member.
- A new “friend” or “caregiver” is suddenly involved in the person’s finances.
- Hesitation, confusion, or discomfort during financial transactions.
- Unusual behavior or sudden changes in banking patterns.
What You Can Do if You Suspect Abuse
- Speak Up – Ask gentle but direct questions about the situation.
- Document What You See – Keep records of unusual activity or suspicious behavior.
- Contact Authorities – If you suspect a scam or abuse, contact local law enforcement or Adult Protective Services.
- Reach Out to PDCU – If you believe a member’s finances are at risk, we can help review account activity, add safeguards, and offer resources.
How PDCU Protects Our Members
Our team is trained to spot unusual or suspicious activity that could indicate financial exploitation. We believe that protecting vulnerable members is one of our most important responsibilities. That means listening carefully, asking questions, and taking the time to confirm when something doesn’t feel right.
Recent Success Story
Sometimes, financial exploitation can be hard to detect especially over the phone. Recently, our E-Services Team intervened to protect an older member who had called to check his balance, believing his nephew was in jail and needed bail money. One of our team members noticed something didn’t seem right. She encouraged the member to pause and get more information, then contacted our Risk Department. Risk confirmed it was a scam, helped the member understand what was happening, and connected with another family member to block future scam attempts.
Everything Else You Need to Know
For more information on how to protect your personal and financial data online, visit our Fraud Alerts page.
