We’re Building More Protections For The Elderly
Mission Statement
Virginia’s Law will create focused and harsh criminal punishment, at a federal level, for those convicted of stealing and abusing senior citizens. We encourage victims to say “Enough” and share their stories.
Legislature on Elderly Abuse and Elderly Fraud has been ignored for too long.
Senior Fraud Costs Our Elderly Billions Yearly
Billions of dollars are stolen from seniors annually, and thousands are victims of physical abuse every year. Unbelievably, almost half of the financial and physical abuse is done to seniors by their own families.
Existing Laws Are Not Enough
Although there are Criminal Laws in the United States and Canada that deal with theft and physical abuse, some specifically relating to seniors, it is not taken as seriously when it’s a senior.
Family On Family Fraud Complicates Criminal Descriptions
When the family is involved, crime is even more unfortunate. Stealing or physically abusing a senior by relatives is treated as a “Family Dispute”. The challenge is, these are not family disputes, they are serious crimes. Moreover, whether it’s relatives or a stranger, it’s a problem that goes mostly unreported. Greater than that, the problem is completely out of control.
Virginia’s Law Provides Avenues For Financial Institutions to Help Prevent Fraud
Existing Legislature Has Too Many Loopholes For Criminals
Banks and financial institutions are restricted by too many privacy laws when it comes to reporting suspected financial abuse of a senior.
Virginia’s Law in BOTH the United States and Canada is a federal law that will complement existing legislation. The goals are:
- Make stealing from a senior a criminal offense, even if it’s a family member.
- Create a restriction-free pathway for banks and financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse of seniors. Complimented by harsh penalties for failure to report.
- Automatic harsh prison sentences for those convicted of financial or physical abuse of a senior.
Articles and Helpful Sites on Elderly Abuse and Elderly Fraud
Seniors in Hamilton scammed out of $347K in 2020
Police say extortion is top scam seniors face.
``The fraudsters will often use very persuasive language and trickery to lure the victims and continue this deceit in order to take as much money as possible from the victim.``
Creating a federal policy definition of “senior abuse”
Senior abuse is an important human rights issue. It is also a social and public health issue that can undermine an older person’s:
1. quality of life
2. autonomy
3. dignity
4. sense of security, and
5. mental and physical health
The Canadian government is committed to strengthening Canada’s approach to senior abuse. To that end, they asked for feedback to create a federal policy definition of “senior abuse”. Currently, there is no standard in Canada. It can mean different things to different people depending on their life and ethno cultural experience.
1. quality of life
2. autonomy
3. dignity
4. sense of security, and
5. mental and physical health
The Canadian government is committed to strengthening Canada’s approach to senior abuse. To that end, they asked for feedback to create a federal policy definition of “senior abuse”. Currently, there is no standard in Canada. It can mean different things to different people depending on their life and ethno cultural experience.
Seniors too ashamed to report financial fraud
Of the more than 71,000 mass marketing fraud complaints received in 2017—with a total reported dollar loss of than $110 million—it is believed fewer than 5 per cent of victims actually file a mass marketing fraud report, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC).
“Many people will never report. They are too embarrassed and think nothing can be done,” says Laura Tamblyn Watts, national director, law, policy and research for CARP, an advocacy organization for aging Canadians. “It’s about normalizing and dealing with the question of shame and worry.”
Shine a Spotlight on the Exploitation of Our Seniors
While much has been written about seniors’ “exaggerated” level of fear, a better understanding is required as to why the elderly tend to be more fearful than other age groups. Is this higher fear level due to feelings of physical vulnerability or social isolation? Understanding the sources of this fear can contribute to the development of appropriate interventions as fear itself can isolate seniors, produce mental health issues, and make seniors more vulnerable to financial exploitation.
Be an educated consumer. Fraud is the Number 1 crime against seniors. If you have been defrauded, you may not necessarily be aware that you are a victim. The con artist will take your money and give you little or nothing in return. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.