HOME IMPROVEMENT SCAMS - The senior is approached normally by at least two individuals posing as contractors. The unsuspecting victim is persuaded that a roof, driveway or home needs repairs. The strangers pretend to carry out the work, which is in fact, shoddy and almost worthless.

THEFTS FROM WITHIN THE HOME - The senior is approached at the door by at least two individuals who use a ruse to enter the senior’s home. Such ruses are a request to use the telephone or to get a glass of water. Once inside, one of the individuals will keep the senior occupied while the other individual rummages through the senior’s personal belongings and steals cash and jewelry.

BANK INVESTIGATOR (EXAMINER) SCHEME - The senior is contacted outside their bank or by telephone by a stranger who identifies himself as a member of law enforcement. The stranger asks for the senior’s help in catching a dishonest bank employee. The senior is persuaded to go inside the bank to a particular teller window and withdraw a large sum of cash and then meet the "official" outside. Once the senior hands over the cash, the stranger disappears with the money.

SWEEPSTAKES SCAM - The senior receives a call whether from Canada or from another part of the USA. The caller explains that the senior has won a substantial prize, but to collect that prize, the senior must first send a money order for up to $4,000 by express mail.

Some tips on how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of financial elder abuse:

1. Be very careful whom you let in your home. Never allow a stranger in your home, even if they appear to be in distress or with a young child.

2. Never agree to have work done on your home without getting at least three written estimates from reputable contractors whose identity and address have been checked.

3. Check your bank statement carefully each month. If you have a trusted adult child, consider asking your bank to send a duplicate copy of the statement to that child so that another pair of eyes can check that there is no suspicious activity on your account.

4. Buy a shredder and shred all unused credit card applications.

5. Never leave mail in your mailbox for the mail carrier to collect.

6. Ask your bank to call you if any check over a certain amount is ever presented to that branch for payment.

7. Do not agree to send money at the request of a telephone solicitor.

8. Never give out personal details such as your Social Security number or credit card number to any person over the telephone.

9. Never be afraid to end a telephone call. That is your right.