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Secretary Of State Connie Lawson Recognizes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Last updated on Thursday, June 14, 2018

(INDIANAPOLIS) - In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, Secretary of State Connie Lawson reminds financial professionals and the public throughout Indiana to be on the lookout for the red flags of suspected financial abuse.

"A trusted guardian can be a wonderful resource. But sometimes guardians may take advantage of the trust placed in them to look after the people or assets in their care," Secretary Lawson said.

A guardian is a person or entity appointed by a court to exercise some or all authority over a person and/or estate. A guardian has power to make decisions related to the health and safety of the incapacitated person. Financial abuse by guardians occurs when the guardian improperly uses the protected individual's financial assets.

"Fraudsters often target seniors for financial exploitation because they may be isolated from family, caregivers, and other support networks. That's why it is important to know the red flags that could signal a senior's savings may be in danger," said Indiana Securities Commissioner Alex Glass.

The North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which the Indiana Secretary of State is a member, recently developed a resource to help call attention to the red flags of suspected guardian financial abuse. The publication "Guarding the Guardians" also features examples of exploitation and information on how to report suspected abuse.

Suspected signs of guardian financial abuse include:

The publication is available on NASAA's Serve Our Seniors website (serveourseniors.org) at the following link: http://serveourseniors.org/about/investors/.

Secretary Lawson asks anyone with suspicions of possible exploitation by guardians to contact her office at 317-232-6681 or www.in.gov/sos/securities.

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