Elder Abuse/Exploitation

Blog Post by:  Melissa C. Platt, Esq.

We’ve all been in that situation before…the one where we’re standing there scratching our heads and asking ourselves how we just got pressured into making that purchase or signing up for that service. Unfortunately, sometimes the tactics used by salespersons or people presenting themselves as salespersons, aren’t just persuasive—they are downright deceptive. I’ll share a couple of examples from my own family, and then I’ll talk about what you can do to protect yourself and vulnerable loved ones.

Last summer, an elderly widowed family member had a salesman from a residential alarm system company knock on her door. This salesman was a “nice” young man attending school at BYU. Because of his connection with an institution that she knew, she trusted this young salesman to disclose to her all the details of the contract he was asking her to sign and didn’t read the contract herself. (The print was so tiny, I don’t think she could have read it, even if she had wanted to!). I don’t fault this woman for not reading the contract because I’m an attorney, and I’ve done it before too.

A recent mugging in New York apparently struck a nerve with lawmakers there. At 101 years old, the lady in this video held up quite well despite the violent attack against her. The attacker made off with a measly $33 and her house keys. In response to this widely publicized video clip, the New York legislature quickly passed a law making it a "violent felony" to assault someone over 65. Before this law was passed, the assailant could have plead in his defense that he didn't know his victim was so old and possibly get off with no more than a misdemeanor.