AARP Hearing Center
AARP Fraud Ambassador Id's Reasons Why Fraud is Under Reported
AARP
New AARP research shows fraud is a widespread and growing concern. Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adults—about 103 million people—have already experienced fraud, and an estimated 159 million are worried about becoming victims. It is no secret that incidents of fraud and scams are skyrocketing.
But even those numbers are only a fraction of incidents, as people are still reluctant to report these types of crimes, feeling they will look foolish, should have known better, or won’t be taken seriously.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
And some of those concerns have merit.
“What I have found in my career is that elder exploitation is one of the most under-reported, under-investigated, and certainly under-prosecuted crimes in this country,” said Paul Greenwood, AARP Fraud Ambassador.
Greenwood is a retired San Diego deputy district attorney who headed the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit for 22 years and now travels the country sharing what he has learned about fraud prevention and how local agencies can help combat this growing crime.
He spoke at the AARP New Mexico Fraud Summit in May, which convened community leaders, particularly from the financial and law enforcement sectors, to discuss ways to combat fraud and scams in New Mexico.
In San Diego, the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit started after an angry social worker told Greenwood’s boss that crimes against the elderly were being ignored, so the boss tasked Greenwood with beginning the unit.
But it wasn’t an easy task. Greenwood would watch other units getting cases, but no one was knocking down his door.
“But I began to understand very quickly what my mission and purpose were. And it’s been trying to make sure that we do not overlook any victims like Paula (Scarpellino, who also shared her fraud story at the AARP New Mexico Fraud Summit. It can be found at www.aarp.org/nm ). Why is Paula’s story and the fact that she’s here today so unusual?” he said.
First off, victims are afraid to come forward for several reasons.
“I’ve come up with six reasons for failure to self-report based upon cases that I’ve done,” Greenwood said.
The first is Impairment. Victims can’t come forward because of mental impairment and are taken advantage of, but often have no idea their money is being taken.
“Is it possible that somebody is walking into a credit union today with an elderly person, adding a third party’s name to what was previously a sole account and making it into a joint account? Absolutely, it is,” he said.
Next is Isolation. Greenwood tells of a story of how a former veteran hired a caregiver, who quickly moved into his home and isolated him from his neighbors. Previously, he had always been outside, sitting on the porch, waving to neighbors. But that stopped and he disappeared. The neighbors called the police.
The veteran was found lying in his kitchen and in a bedroom were piles of cash that the caregiver had systematically taken out of the man’s account using an ATM.
“If you are blocked from seeing somebody, that is a huge red flag,” Greenwood said.
Shame and Embarrassment are No. 3. In another case, a woman’s daughter was stealing her jewelry to buy Meth. She would not allow other family members to report the theft, as she did not want to bring shame and embarrass the family.
Another reason is Fear of Losing Independence.
He tells of a man who had a disability and needed help after his wife died. The caregiver moved in and immediately started stealing his checks.
“He confronted her. She said, Jack, hold on. If you have me arrested, they’ll take me away. They won’t let you live here alone. They’ll put you in a nursing home down the street, the nursing home you told me you never want to live in,” Greenwood said.
The man let her stay, but when she failed to repay him, he confronted her again. She tied him up and started a fire. He survived but six weeks later died. The caregiver was charged with murder.
Reason number 5 is similar: Reliance on the abuser.
“I’ve had so many victims tell me, and I’d say, why didn’t you say anything? Well, Mr. Greenwood, I’d rather lose $50,000 and still get my medications and my food because I’ve got no family here. Who else can help me? That’s the thinking,” Greenwood said.
And finally, there is the Fear of Retaliation, victims saying they didn’t want to be known as whistleblowers and getting kicked out of their nursing home, or being mistreated because they reported something.
But even if victims do come forward, what comes next is not easy either. Stereotypes and processes are often cumbersome.
As Greenwood began his journey into elder exploitation, he was often discouraged by law enforcement and prosecutors, saying that older people made unreliable witnesses.
“If you ever hear anybody tell you that, you tell them from me, that is absolute rubbish. I don’t think they are harder than any other case. I really don’t,” he said.
Some of his witnesses have been stellar on the witness stand and you use collaborating witnesses and evidence to strengthen their testimony, Greenwood said.
He also said it should not be up to victims whether they press charges, and evidence can be found if one is willing to look for it.
“And that is the bottom line. I bet you anything if we spent time on Paula’s case today, we will find evidence.
“So we can prove these cases. Because if you don’t hold them accountable, guess what? Human nature tells me the crook will do it again, won’t they? If there’s a green light, I got away with it. I’m going to do it again and again,” Greenwood said.
He said in order to find solutions in New Mexico, elder justice must be expanded and multiple agencies involved, working together, including the FBI, the Attorney General’s Office, Adult Protective Services, local law enforcement agencies and other organizations that have an interest, such as the Better Business Bureau, banks and credit unions.
AARP New Mexico is using the summit as the first step in building a coalition tasked with finding solutions to prevent fraud at the state and local levels. For more information, contact Othiamba Umi, AARP New Mexico Associate State Director for Advocacy, at oumi@aarp.org .
To see Paul Greenwood’s complete keynote address go to: https://youtu.be/8ZVW_8CPqUA
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
More From AARP
Free Document Shredding Events
Get Documents Shredded for Free at Three Community Events
Romance Scam Costs NM Woman Almost $400,000
These financial crimes are affecting people of all ages and at all levels of education and financial status
12 NM Organizations Receive AARP Community Challenge Grants
Community Challenge Grant Recipients Include Village in the Village and Dona Ana Village Association