skip intro | mute audio
Click to Enter

This is what
    trust
               looks like ...

Mercedes at Ranch Party
It can also be what Elder Abuse looks like.
ELDER ABUSE IS ONE OF THE MOST UNDER REPORTED CRIMES IN THE USA

 

First and foremost EARN is all of us, the citizens of the United States. Some who have already been touched by the chilling hand of financial elder abuse and exploitation and others who have not but, considering our very vulnerable rapidly aging population, are determined to insure their families and loved ones will never have to experience this tragedy. read more >>

The Unforgiveable Truth - Documentary

Inform Yourself
Watch The EARN Project Documentary


The Unforgivable Truth


How we have turned America's Greatest Generation into America's Abused Generation.


Victims of financial exploitation share their heartbreaking stories and seasoned professionals, from government officials to journalists share their expertise on the state of elder financial abuse in the United States.


The Unforgivable Truth is:



… available free of charge to any government office, individual or organization wishing to raise awareness of elder financial exploitation .

…accompanied by an educational PowerPoint presentation & discussion points to stimulate thoughtful dialog.

… a documentary that promises to be not only engrossing but informative.

Inform yourself; make sure yours is not the next victim story on our website.


CONTACT THE EARN PROJECT FOR A FREE PRESENTATION PACKAGE




“Victims are only one part of the elder abuse equation. There is little research on perpetrators. It is clear that to design effective prevention and intervention strategies more information about what motivates perpetrators of elder financial abuse is needed.” (MetLife study 2011) read more >>

 

WHO MIGHT BE THE ABUSER?
BUSINESS

Of All Reported Elder Financial Abuse Cases — April to June 2010 (MetLife study 2011)

Business represents 12% of all financial elder abuse reported

 

EARN has found that elder abuse perpetrated by professionals (bankers, lawyers, caretakers, etc.) and physical abuse are the two most under reported forms of elder abuse. This is because the individual being abused is elderly and as such not in a position to defend themselves. Additionally they are often too embarrassed.

 

FAMILY, FRIEND, NEIGHBOR, ETC.

Of All Reported Elder Financial Abuse Cases — April to June 2010 (MetLife study 2011)

Family, Friend, Neighbor, etc. represent 34% of all financial elder abuse reported

 

 

GOVERNMENT

Guardianship and conservatorship is too often determined by an elderly individuals finances not their wellbeing. The entire system is riddled with corruption.

Frequently decisions for guardianship are made too quickly because Judges have over loaded calendars. Many just want to get the case off their desk and move on.

We doubt they would handle a case involving a member of their own family in such a slipshod manner.

Professor Larry Frolik, a premiere voice on legal issues facing older Americans and one of the founders of the field of Elder Law, speaking about guardianship has said:

"A lack of oversight and the inherent confidential proceedings make such systems vulnerable from their inception, It's a recipe for a disaster."

The argument of a swamped judicial though understandable is not excusable. Something must then be put in place to take these decisions out of a Judge's court room and to an informed panel. They are not merely dealing with property; they are determining the lives and fate of human beings.

STRANGERS

Of All Reported Elder Financial Abuse Cases — April to June 2010 (MetLife study 2011)

Strangers represent 51% of all financial elder abuse reported

ABUSE BY UNWITTING CONSENT

According to True-Link's study, $16.99 billion is stolen every year by abusers deceiving victims into consenting to hidden shipping, handling and subscriptions—Various work-from-home ploys (some of these can cause innocent seniors to become involved in money laundering enterprises)—weight loss and dietary products—gifts and misleading financial advice.

FRAUD

According to True-Link's study, $12.76 billion is stolen every year through criminal fraud. $9.85 of that comes from anonymous con artist's acquiring money through telephone scams  (Grandparents called by supposed grandchildren in some sort of trouble that requires financial help—Various Nigerian email scams--fake lottery winning and government grant scams—sweetheart scams that, according to the government, average a loss of between $15,000 and $20,000. The other $2.91 comes from identity theft using credit and bank card date acquired through sending emails, purporting from reputable companies, to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers— acquiring car title and home equity loans on senior's property—opening credit card and bank accounts or payday loans.

CAREGIVER ABUSE

According to True-Link's study, $6.67 billion is stolen every year by family members, caregivers or people in a trusting relationship with the senior victim. Wills are rewritten, Power of Attorneys are abused or forged, money is borrowed and never paid back. True-Link found that these crimes were frequently combined with physical abuse or neglect