Romance Scams: Exploiting the Lonely

In today’s digital age, scammers are finding increasingly sophisticated ways to prey on vulnerable seniors, often leaving them in dire financial straits and unable to afford basic living costs like healthcare and rent. One particularly insidious scam is the “romance scam,” targeting seniors through online dating or social media. These scammers, posing as love interests, exploit the loneliness and trust of their victims, gradually convincing them to send money for fabricated emergencies.

Is Janet the victim of a romance scam?

Take the case of Janet, a 77-year-old widow living independently. Janet had been managing her type 2 diabetes well, but her son Andy recently received a disturbing call from the hospital. Janet had been admitted to the ER with dangerously high blood sugar levels. Despite Janet appearing cognitively sound, it was clear that Janet had not been taking her insulin correctly.

The truth emerged during a conversation with the hospital social worker. Janet tearfully confessed that she couldn’t afford her insulin anymore because she had been sending most of her Social Security check to her “boyfriend,” who claimed he needed money to get out of Iraq safely. Despite her son’s concerns, Janet insisted she was not being scammed and begged the social worker not to inform Andy.

Keeping Janet safe

In this Hurley Elder Care Law case, our attorneys worked with the family and healthcare professionals to determine if Janet was making bad decisions (which we are all free to do) or if she was making bad financial choices due to incapacity. In this case, she persisted in believing she was not the victim of a romance scam, and her family had to seek conservatorship to prevent her from continuing to be exploited.

A poor decision or exploitation?

This tragic situation highlights a growing problem where seniors, despite being or appearing mentally sharp, are manipulated into making poor financial decisions, jeopardizing their health and well-being. It underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, more robust protective measures, and open communication between seniors and their families to prevent these scams. Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in these situations. Please call our office at 404-840-7215 to discuss your options to protect their finances and well-being.