Chase Bank Took $2,500 Deposit for Disabled Oregon Man, Then Wouldn't Give it Back

by Mike Rogoway

When Jeanne Tindall went to the bank with $2,500 in pandemic relief funds on behalf of her disabled ward last October, she envisioned him someday using the money to pay for future care, or maybe for therapeutic horseback rides.

Tindall has been legal guardian to the Oregon man, named Stephen, since the late 1980s. He is 46 and lives in a group foster home near Portland because he has a cognitive disability and cannot care for himself. So Tindall helps, managing his finances and make sure he’s getting what he needs.

The aid money could be helpful down the road, so Tindall took it to her local Chase Bank branch in Albany and put it into a guardianship account on Stephen’s behalf.

In November, Tindall went back to the bank to shift the money into an ABLE account, a special category of savings designed to enabled disabled people to set aside money without reducing their eligibility for government aid programs.

Chase refused to move the money, though, notifying Tindall that Stephen’s account had “insufficient funds.”

So Tindall spent three months seeking to pry the money back from Chase. She says the bank refused to hand it over, providing a variety or explanations ranging from fraud concerns to questions about who was authorized to access the account.

Full Article and Source: 

Chase Bank took $2,500 deposit for disabled Oregon man, then wouldn’t give it back

The bank let her check bounce, so the grandma wrote this letter. Her answer is brilliant

This is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by an 86-year-old woman. It was so amusing that the bank’s manager decided to have it published in the New York Times. Dear Sir: I am writing to thank

you for bouncing my check with which I endeavored to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, 3 nanoseconds must have elapsed between his presenting the check and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honor it.. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my entire pension, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only 8 years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account $30 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank. My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personally answer your telephone calls and letters, — when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, pre-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has become.

From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person. My mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and hereafter no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank, by check, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Be aware that it is an OFFENSE under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope. Please find attached an Application Contact which I require your chosen employee to complete. I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative. Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Notary Public, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by documented proof. In due course, at MY convenience, I will issue your employee with a PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have modeled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account balance on your phone bank service. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Let me level the playing field even further. When you call me, press buttons as follows. IMMEDIATELY AFTER DIALING, PRESS THE STAR BUTTON FOR ENGLISH.

1. To make an appointment to see me. 2. To query a missing payment. 3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there. 4 To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping. 5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature. 6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home. 7. To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer is required. Password will be communicated to you at a later date to that Authorized Contact mentioned earlier. 8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 through. 9. To make a general complaint or inquiry. The contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service. 10. This is a second reminder to press for English.

While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call. Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy an establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement. May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous New Year. Your Humble Client And remember. Don’t make old people mad. We don’t like being old in the first place, so it doesn’t take much to piss us off.

 
Full Article & Source:
The bank let her check bounce, so the grandma wrote this letter. Her answer is brilliant

Banks join fight to help financial exploitation of seniors

BUTLER COUNTY —With the population of Americans ages 60 and older growing faster than previously estimated, financial institutions are joining law enforcement in helping seniors being swindled of their life savings by scam artists.

“Elder financial exploitation has been called the crime of the 21st century, and fighting it has never been more urgent,” Richard Cordray, a former Ohio attorney general who is now director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, recently told The Columbus Dispatch.

Though financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of elder abuse, it also is one of the least reported, he said.

Many victims are too embarrassed to pursue criminal action, Cordray said. Others are too emotionally or physically frail.

True Link Financial, a private financial-services company, estimates that elder exploitation costs victims about $36.5 billion a year — 12 times more than previously thought.

Older adults make attractive targets because they often have significant assets or equity in their homes and a steady source of income, such as Social Security or a pension, Cordray said.

Many also have cognitive decline or physical disabilities and are isolated from family and friends.

Many financial groups said protecting customers, especially the most vulnerable, is a top priority.

“Many banks already have procedures in place to detect fraudulent activity within older adults’ accounts,” said Christine Mulvin of HealthPath Foundation of Ohio, which serves 36 Ohio counties, including Butler County.

“Trained tellers look for signs of fraud, including large or frequent cash withdrawals, new account transfers or other unusual transactions. Another sign tellers look for is when another individual deposits checks for an older adult or checks begin being deposited through an ATM or mobile device,” she said.

Financial intuitions are using fraud detection software that looks for suspicious activity in an older adults’ account and special limits on older adults’ accounts can also be put in place, such as cash withdrawal limits or geographic limits that only allow for withdrawals within a certain region, according to Mulvin.

Still, financial institutions also have to be careful about what personal information they share if they detect fraud.

Banking institutions are generally able to report suspected financial fraud to authorities without violating privacy provisions in federal banking laws. Last year, the Ohio House also passed a bill that would add financial institutions to the list of mandatory reporters.

Technology has created new types of fraud and scams to swindle seniors out of their life savings, according to Laurie Petrie, vice president of communications for the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, an agency that advocates on behalf of older adults and people with disabilities in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties.

“A lot of elderly people trust caller ID and think that it will keep them safe,” Petrie said. “Now scammers have software to use a number that someone will recognize.”

“New and more sophisticated methods that are happening every day are being developed to rip off our seniors,” she said. “And as soon as you figure out a way to stop something like this from happening, the scammers find a way around it.”

In 2011, the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office started the Butler County Crimes Against the Elderly Task Force.

Susan Monnin, community outreach director for the prosecutor’s office, said the task force is working, but the scams are unfortunately finding success too.

“These scammers prey on the most vulnerable and have no conscience whatsoever,” she said, adding that they appeal to a senior’s emotions.

“These scammers call the elderly and appeal to their emotional side of the brain because they are lonely,” Monnin said. “The offer of a trip or lottery win appeals to that side of the brain rather than the rational side. You get a call saying a loved one needs money or they are going to jail and often times that scam can work.”

The Ohio attorney general’s office also has increased the investigation and prosecution of elder-abuse cases and improved victims’ access to services. It is working to develop a new advanced training course for law enforcement on the topic and will hold a financial-exploitation symposium in northeastern Ohio in August.

“The victim is who we need to worry about,” Attorney General Mike DeWine told the Dispatch. “The real tragedy of these things is you end up with a person who doesn’t feel safe or secure any longer. It’s not just about losing money.”

Full Article & Source:
Banks join fight to help financial exploitation of seniors

Former Monroe County bank vice president sentenced for financially exploiting elderly woman

UNION — A former Monroe County bank vice president was sentenced Monday to 1 to 10 years behind bars for financially exploiting an elderly woman.

Betty B. Brown, former senior vice president at First National Bank of Peterstown, had earlier pleaded no contest to the felony of financial exploitation of an elderly person in an agreement with the state. In return for the plea, the state dropped a second felony charge, alleging embezzlement by misuse of a power of attorney or other fiduciary relationship.

Brown’s victim was 99-year-old Isadora “Dora” Beavers, who is now a resident of a Rich Creek, Va., nursing home. Brown served as Beavers’ power of attorney from early 2009 until July 2013.

In Monroe Circuit Court Monday for sentencing on the criminal charge, the 69-year-old Brown declined to speak on her own behalf, relying on attorney David Thompson to ask the judge for leniency based upon his client’s age, infirmity and lack of prior criminal history.

Circuit Judge Robert Irons was unswayed by Brown’s plight, instead focusing on the tragic situation of her victim.

One of Beavers’ guardians, nephew John Beavers, read from a victim’s impact statement, asking the judge to impose a jail sentence. He described his aunt’s life today, living in the nursing home where she ended up shortly after discovering that her friend and financial adviser had taken her money and her home.

John Beavers said his aunt is now afflicted with “severe dementia,” living in a place where she never wanted to be.

“She is serving a sentence she does not deserve,” he said. “Her best friend betrayed her and stole from her.”

He added, “It broke Dora’s heart and mine. Aunt Dora’s life can never be made whole again.”

Further, he asserted, Brown has demonstrated no remorse for her crimes against Isadora Beavers.

Monroe Prosecuting Attorney Justin St. Clair echoed those words in his argument against leniency, saying, “The one thing that stands out to me... is the complete and utter lack of responsibility and the complete and utter lack of remorse from Betty Brown.”

In fact, he said, Brown’s statements to the probation officer who prepared the pre-sentencing report indicated that she views herself as the victim in this case.

“This case was driven by greed,” St. Clair said.

Brown was also found liable in a civil fraud case based on the same allegations that led her to plead no contest to the criminal charge. In the civil case, which went to trial in Monroe Circuit Court more than a year ago, a jury awarded Beavers compensatory damages of $151,777.06 and assessed punitive damages of an additional $175,000 against Brown.

“This is an infamous case,” St. Clair said Monday, pointing to the number of news reports printed and aired about the embezzlement. “This case demands incarceration. The public needs to know that justice is indeed blind.”

Irons noted that having presided over both the civil and the criminal cases connected to the allegations against Brown, he believes he has a “good understanding” of the facts upon which both are based.

Asking Brown to stand as he pronounced sentence, Irons told her, “I find your conduct to be reprehensible.”

The judge said Brown had abused her position of trust as an official at the bank. No amount of restitution will “put back what’s been lost” by Isadora Beavers, he said.

“Ms. Beavers lost her money; she lost her mind,” he said.

Brown’s lawyer asked that the court allow his client to self-report to the Southern Regional Jail.

After conferring with Beavers’ family, St. Clair said “as an act of kindness and mercy” he would not oppose allowing Brown to have 24 hours to report.

The judge so ordered, dismissing the defendant with the statement, “Good luck to you, Mrs. Brown.”

Full Article & Source:
Former Monroe County bank vice president sentenced for financially exploiting elderly woman

Joe Roubicek: The Predatory Bank Tellers

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” ~  Mark Twain

Let’s begin with this Sun Sentinel blurb on Ganesh Viswanathan, a bank teller I arrested for fraud back in 1989.

2 Charged With Forgery
October 12, 1989|Staff reports
FORT LAUDERDALE — A couple were arrested on Wednesday on charges of forging checks worth $14,380 from a bank where the husband was employed, police said.

Arrested on theft and forgery charges were Ganesh Viswanathan and his wife, Patricia, both 24, of the 5600 block of Northeast Second Terrace.

Detective Joseph Roubicek said the couple forged and cashed two checks for themselves from the North Ridge Bank, where Ganesh Viswanathan was a teller. Both of the suspects have been fired from at least two other local banks, police said.

***********

Now here’s what really happened in that case …

A bookkeeper for a Fort Lauderdale business went to the North Ridge Bank on a Friday to do the company payroll. It was routine, or at least that’s what she thought. Weeks later, she was facing arrest for embezzling money from her employer. She appeared to have cashed thousands of dollars in counter checks, along with the regular payroll and the evidence implicating her was overwhelming:
Forged counterchecks where uttered and time stamped in unison with her regular payroll.

She was on video standing at the counter during the transactions.

The bank manager initialed each countercheck, along with the teller’s initials, confirming the transactions by the bookkeeper.

It appeared the bookkeeper had tried to conceal the theft by mixing the counterchecks in with the regular payroll checks, a common method used by dirty bookkeepers.

But she didn’t do it.

Full Article and Source:
The Predatory Bank Tellers
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From NASGA's Victims Page: Yolanda "Linda" Hutton

Elder Financial Exploitation, Neglect and Abuse Victim
Violating Institution : Bendigo Bank
Suspects :  Bank Manager Christine Frankham & Susan Bogaard Paid Care Giver
Suspected Accomplice: Peter Hadley Wood (Solicitor/Attorney) 

Yolanda was the first Elder Financial Exploitation, Neglect and Guardianship Abuse Victim reported to NASGA from Sydney Australia in late 2013,  she was also a Victim of Australia's Institutionalized Elder and Disabled Financial Exploitation and Cover-Up's within Australia's Banking and Financial Services Industry.. !!

Yolanda is the mother of Mareea Watts and Tony Hutton (NASGA and Banking Abuse Advocate), both the Bendigo Bank and Bank Manager Christine Frankham have now been placed on NASGA's "Wanted List" and all information received by NASGA from Banking Abuse Whistleblowers in relation to either Australian or American Banks will be kept Strictly Confidential .. !!

Case History :-

Bendigo Bank Manager Christine Frankham and Susan Bogaard a Paid Carer of Yolanda Hutton were under New South Wales (NSW) Police Investigation from August 2011, during this time Bank Manager Frankham was suspended for 18 months from Bendigo Bank pending the Police Investigation.

Bendigo Bank Manager Frankham and her friend Susan  Bogaard had been appointed Guardians and Financial Managers of Yolanda Hutton (who in June 2007 was diagnosed with Advanced Dementia), until they relinquished their role prior to a Guardianship Hearing on 26/7/2011, due to intensive Investigation by the Australian Media .. !!

Following a story screened by Channel 7 News over 3 nights, the matter was referred to the Assistant Police Commissioner Nick Kaldas (the story was screened on 8/8/2011 - 22/8/2011 - 23/8/2011).

After the first night’s screening another family contacted Channel 7 in Sydney, advising them that their Aunt (Joan Douglas) had been befriended and allegedly targeted by Bendigo Manager Frankham in a similar way to Yolanda Hutton, when Frankham was manager of the Commonwealth Bank at Brookvale NSW... !!

Yolanda Hutton also had an account at the same branch of the Commonwealth Bank, at the same time and both where customers of Bank Manager Christine Frankham...!!

Christine Frankham left Commonwealth Bank in July 2002 and joined the Bendigo Bank at Dee Why as the Branch Manager,  Yolanda Hutton accounts immediately followed Manager Frankham to the Bendigo Bank... !!

A Current Affair (Channel 9, in Sydney) also screened a half hour special on 11/11/2011 that started with the story of a Sydney Taxi Driver. who was allegedly Targeting and Defrauding Vulnerable Elderly People, it then led into the Yolanda Hutton's Story and her involvement with Bank Manager Christine Frankham....!!
    
There were also articles in the Daily Telegraph by John Rolfe (News Director of the Daily Telegraph) on 8/8/2011 & 10/11/2011 relating to Christine Frankham, without Yolanda's name being mentioned for legal reasons, as Yolanda was a Protected Person (being a Ward or Protected Person the Daily Telegraph was unable to publish her name) .... !!

Different rules apply to Australian TV Media, who exposed Bendigo Bank Manager Christine Frankham, also published the name and details of the alleged victim Yolanda Hutton (with the Families Approval)... !!

The Family gained documentary evidence in the diaries of Just Better Care, found in Yolanda's home when Police forced access on 21/05/2011...!!

Just Better Care called at Yoland's home every day for about 3/4 of an hour to prepare her a meal, the diaries showed evidence of the horrendous alleged Neglect and Abuse of Yolanda, by her then Guardians Bendigo Bank Manager Christine Frankham and Frankham's friend Susan Bogaard... !!

Yolanda was in a Deplorable State on the 21/5/2011 when Police Gained Forced Entry to her home, as allegedly Bendigo Bank Manager Frankham and Susan Bogaard, had the locks changed for the third time at Yolanda's expense, to deny Yolanda's Family access... !!

Yolanda had been on the timber floor for up to 20 hours, wearing only a thin nightie, when Police entered the home. It had also been a very cold night, Yolanda was hypothermia, tachycardia, had a urinary tract infection, with impacted feces and severe scalding in her Genital Area... !!

Yolanda was taken to Mona Vale Hospital by Ambulance, Mona Vale Hospital Emergency Admission and Clinical Notes where also given to Police.

The Just Better Care Diary when transcribed consists of 120 pages, the diary continually mentions the poor state of Mrs. Hutton health, which allegedly Bank Manager Christine Frankham and Paid Care Giver Bogaard disregarded...!!

The most appalling evidence (apart from the alleged neglect and abuse) that was found, appears to be that Bank Manager Christine Frankham and Paid Care Giver Bogaard’s, efforts in arranging Yolanda to sign 4 consecutive wills in 4 years (8/9/06--13/10/06--30/4/08--3/4/09).... !!

In each of these wills Manager Christine Frankham was the Executor, with both Frankham and Bogaard’s percentages of Yolanda's Estate increasing, until the final will in 2009 arranged by the alleged perpetrators (before Yolanda was freed from this nightmare, making her last and final will)  .. !!

In the last will of this "Undue Influence" saga both Manager Frankham and her friend Paid Care Giver Bogaard, were to inherit the entire estate of approximately $1.5 Million Dollars, with an additional clause inserted, that if anything happened to either of them, then their share would have gone to "Their Children". They only allowed $20,000 to be given to one of Yolanda's Granddaughters Jacki Riley. Jacki was 1 of the 8 Grandchildren of Mrs. Yolanda Hutton... !!

Interestingly the Wills were prepared by Northern Beaches Solicitor Peter Hedley Wood from Wood Marshall Williams at Brookvale, who for some unknown reason MUST work under the supervision of another Attorney.... !!

It's also interesting to point out that Christine Frankham had been allegedly involved in a similar situation before, with another Elderly Women named Joan Douglas who died in 2004... !!

As we stated before in July 2002 Bank Manager Frankham left Commonwealth Bank, allegedly "Head Hunted" by the Bendigo Bank, where she became the Manager of it's Dee Why Branch... !!

Allegedly on 26/4/2000 Christine Frankham arranged to take Joan Douglas to prepare a new will with David Tuckerman (solicitor) from Rees Tuckerman in Brookvale, whereby Manager Frankham became a beneficiary receiving  $30,000 and Bank Manager Frankham was also included in the line of beneficiaries for Joan’s house at Beacon Hill... !!

In February 2001 Frankham allegedly asked Joan for a loan of $10,000 and this money was allegedly transferred to Frankham on 19/2/2001... !!

Allegedly Joan then had great difficulty in the loan being repaid and as Joan’s demands became more public, the loan was eventually repaid on 30/4/2001, allegedly $10,000 was withdrawn by Manager Frankham from Yolanda's Visa Credit Card account at Commonwealth Bank in Brookvale, where Frankham was previously a Manager (the card had a limit of $10,000 & had never been used before)... !!

Joan Douglas died on 18/12/2004, but Christine Frankham was unaware that Joan had made another will, where in Bendigo Bank Manager Frankham was no longer a beneficiary... !!

Allegedly when Bendigo Bank Manager Frankham discovered that she would no longer beneficiary, she then confronted Joan’s Nephew Frank Henry and major beneficiary, demanding $40,000. On 26/1/2005 allegedly Bank Manager Frankham arrived at the Nephew’s house at night in an "Aggressive Manner" demanding $40,000 or she would contest the will, at that point Frank Henry told her she was trespassing, asked her to leave and closed the door in her face..!!

Trying a gentler approach on 28/2/2005 Frank Henry alleges he received a letter from Frankham, in a "Bendigo Bank Envelope" again demanding $40,000, Joan’s Nephew Frank Henry ignored Bendigo Bank Managers Christine Frankham’s Demands... !!

Documents to support the above relating to the Joan Douglas allegations, where also given to the NSW Police. .. !!

Full Profile and Source:
NASGA:  Yolanda "Linda" Hutton

See Also:
Facebook:  BendigoBanksters

Woman Charged with Stealing $138k From Vulnerable Adult

A Rochester woman accused of stealing more than $138,000 from an elderly woman has been charged with six counts of felony financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

The investigation began Oct. 6, when the woman and her daughter told law enforcement that they had recently discovered the victim's bank accounts were empty. They suspected Kaiser — who had power of attorney to make financial decisions for the woman — had spent the money on herself.

Kaiser had provided the family with a financial statement that purported to show there were still funds in the account; according to the criminal complaint. Authorities were advised by a bank representative that the document was likely fraudulent.

According to the criminal complaint, $61,000 was taken in 2012; more than $51,615 was taken in 2013; and nearly $19,000 was taken through September 2014.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.

Full Article and Source:
Woman Charged With Stealing $138,000 From Vulnerable Adult

Study Shows Financial Exploitation of Oregon's Elderly Climbs 18%

Nearly half of the people who exploit the finances of elderly Oregonians are members of their own families, according to a new study.

Financial exploitation allegations in Oregon increased by 18 percent between 2012 and 2013, based on the study of 623 reports on the suspected crimes. That was just a sampling of 2,929 reports documenting nearly 4,000 abuse allegations.

"Family relationships accounted for 46 percent of all substantiated perpetrators of financial exploitation," according to a news release heralding a comprehensive study by the state Office of Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations. "Beyond family members, the second most common type of alleged perpetrator was acquaintances, followed closely by non-relative caregivers."

The subject of elder financial exploitation recently struck a chord in Oregon. Steve Duin,  The Oregonian's metro columnist,  wrote about financial shenanigans  that caused an elderly Portland couple – Elmo and Meliitta Marquette – to be paid $22,000 for a piece of property worth 10 times that much.

The study revealed that bank employees and family members of victims were the most likely to report financial exploitation.

Full Article and Source:
Financial Exploitation of Oregon's Elderly Climbs 18%, Study Shows

See Also:
Two Acres, Two Neighboring Couples, and a $200,000 Misunderstanding

Holocaust Survivor's Guardianship Saga NEVER STOPS

In August, 89-year-old State Ward and Holocaust Survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto Marie Winkelman got another bill. This time, Marie owes her attorney, Audrey Bear of Sarasota more than $17,000.00 for services she provided to Marie from before she became Marie’s attorney until January 2014Amongst the multitudes of charges claimed by Bear are over $1,600.00 for the hours Bear, Marie, and Beverly Newman, elder advocate, spent together on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, reviewing Marie’s case of gross guardianship abuse.

For four hours on December 31, 2013, Bear, Marie, and Newman discussed Marie’s appeal of the court order that ended her freedom as an independent woman and seized all of her bank accounts, investments, and a trust worth millions, pursuant to a mediated settlement agreement signed by Bear’s friends and fellow attorneys, Rebecca Proctor and Christopher Likens, in addition to attorneys Kimberly Bald and Barry Spivey. On November 25, 2013, these attorneys had signed the mediated settlement agreement without Marie being present or even seeing the agreement, without any record being made of the secret mediation meeting held at attorney Gary Larsen’s office, and without Marie’s consent to its terms or her signature upon the document.

The secret meeting produced an agreement that was subsequently adopted by Probate Judge Deno Economou on December 3, 2013, without holding the mandatory incapacity evidentiary hearing, thus denying Marie her Constitutionally-guaranteed rights to due process.

Although Bear charged Marie over $1,600.00 for the time she spent telling Marie about her rights to appeal the court order that stole her freedoms, Bear never filed the notice of appeal that she promised would be filed with the court that same day, when Marie gave Bear $400.00 in checks to pay for the appeal.

Now, hundreds of thousands of dollars later, dozens of attorneys, guardians, psychiatrists, physicians, and other service providers have reaped windfall benefits from Marie’s guardianship.

To support Marie Winkelman at her guardianship trial, please pray and come to:
Courtroom 8B
Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center
2002 Ringling Blvd.
Sarasota, FL  34237

Judge Deno Economon
Monday, September 22, 2014 at 10 AM 

Source:  Email notification from Beverly Newman

Man Charged With Felony Financial Exploitation

A Rochester man faces multiple felonies after authorities say he spent nearly $80,000 of his mother's money without her permission.

Terry Joe Ruesink, 57, was charged by summons in Olmsted County District Court with four counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. His first court appearance is Sept. 11.

The investigation began when Olmsted County Adult Protection officials received a report of possible exploitation. The 82-year-old victim has been classified as a vulnerable adult after a 2009 diagnosis with dementia, court documents say; Ruesink was appointed as her power of attorney on Aug. 30. 

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 15, Ruesink cashed a certificate of deposit worth nearly $86,000 that belonged to the woman, and deposited the entire amount into her money market account.
 

From Nov. 13 through Jan. 2, Ruesink allegedly spent a total of $70,113 on multiple items, including more than $51,000 on a lake home, $11,500 on a truck, nearly $4,000 to a roofing company and nearly $4,000 in cash to himself.

If convicted, Ruesink faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, a fine of $200,000, or both.

Full Article and Source:
Man Charged With Felony Financial Exploitation

How a Bank Account Hid a Woman's Death for Years

For years, the payments went out of the woman’s bank account.

Nobody batted an eyelid.

Bills were paid.

And life went on as normal in the quiet neighborhood of Pontiac, Michigan.

Neighbors didn’t notice anything unusual.

The woman traveled a lot, they said, and kept to herself. One of them mowed her grass to keep things looking tidy.

At some point, her bank account ran dry. The bills stopped being paid.

After its warnings went unanswered, the bank holding the mortgage foreclosed on the house, a common occurrence in a region hit hard by economic woes.

Still, nobody noticed what had happened inside the house. Nobody wondered out loud what had become of the owner.

Not until this week, when a worker sent by the bank to repair a hole in the roof made a grisly discovery.

The woman’s mummified body was sitting in the backseat of her car, parked in the garage. The key was halfway in the ignition.

Authorities say they believe the woman died at least six years ago. They’re still trying to figure out what happened.

“I’ve been doing this 37 years. Never seen anything like this before,” said Undersheriff Mike McCabe of Oakland County, Michigan, just outside Detroit.

Full Article and Source:
How a Bank Account Hid a Woman's Death for Years

Maine Banks and Credit Unions Launch Program to Stop Elder Financial Abuse

Banks and credit unions throughout Maine announced  that they are collaborating on a training and public education program designed to stop elder financial abuse where it most often starts: inside the financial institution or at the drive-up window.

Senior$afe, which members of the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention say is the first program of its kind in the country, will help bank and credit union workers identify irregular financial activity that could indicate abuse. The program also will train them how to intervene when necessary.

“Financial institutions can play a critical role in identifying and reporting suspected cases of elder financial exploitation,” said Gov. Paul LePage in a written statement. “Senior$afe will enhance the efforts of bank and credit union employees in assisting seniors who have been victimized and those who may be especially vulnerable.”

Elder financial abuse in Maine, which has the oldest per-capita average age in the country — with many of those older citizens living in rural areas — is as pronounced as it is anywhere. Experts estimate that there are at least 14,000 new reports of elder abuse every year, which could constitute as little as 15 percent of the actual instances of abuse. 

Full Article and Source:
Main Banks, Credit Unions Launch Program to Stop Elder Financial Abuse

A Closer Look at Bendigo Bank

The Bendigo Bank has been at it again with the 78 year old elderly couple Steve and Iris Karamihos, despite what the Main Stream Media may or mores the point have NOT reported there has NOT been a happy ending YET..!!

In one of the worst cases of Institutional Seniors Financial Abuse that I have seen, the Bendigo Bank has appealed last years decision when a Supreme Court Judge slammed Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, the Elderly Couple won there case against the Bendigo Bank.

The Karamihos have had to go it alone with the help of their Daughter, who should be nominated "Daughter of the Year" and a PRIVATE Legal Team that have taken the case on as a matter of principle.

There is no doubt that what we are witnessing is in fact, a Bank perpetrating Elderly Financial Abuse and also continuing it to the point when it is becoming Elderly Emotional Abuse or Psychological Abuse being perpetrated against Senior Citizens by the Bank..!!

We have been closely watching and have been investigating the Bendigo Bank, now with the help of a Financial Analyst we have also been delving into who really owns the Bendigo Bank and the roads do lead to some very Interesting Places.

This report will becoming out shortly and will be posted soon, as it is a serious issue that all Americans should be aware of and a total revolution to the Australian Public also....!!!

I suspect that the Bendigo Banks Board of Directors and its CEO Mike Hirst will not be too happy;but then the truth really HIRST"S when it comes out, opps I mean Hurts...

 

Source:
Facebook:  BendigoBanksters

 

See Also:
Karamihos Family Wins Against Bendigo Adelaide Bank

Guardianship Abuse is a Global Problem, Says Denise Brailey of the BFCSA Australia

Denise Brailey and The Banking & Finance Consumers Support Association (BFCSA) is an organization that everyone should be watching, as in the American Revolution of Independence, Denise will soon be firing "The Shot that will be Heard Around the World".

But this time it won't be from 13 rouge colony's of the Crown, this shot will be fired from Australia and have ramifications Worldwide as she aims directly at the heart of Global Financial Cartels that have used there power to Corrupt our Politicians and have destroyed the lives of so many Worldwide.

To say Denise Brailey is a remarkable women would be an understatement and she has managed to strike fear into the heart of the beast, exposing the Global Banking System for what it really is and how intertwined and interdependent via cross ownership they are.

When I said that we have an problem with "Institutionalized Elderly Abuse" I meant it and the message is not lost on Denise as she is fully aware of the danger the 800 Pound Gorillas are to the Wealth of the  Greatest Generation, the Boomers and their children.

See :
Bankers and Finance Consumer's Support Association, Inc.











Source:
Facebook:  Bendigo Banksters

Bendigo Bank (CHRISTINE FRANKHAM)

This is an over whelming story of the Watts' family's fight to seek justice with supporting evidence against a Bendigo Bank Manager (Christine Frankham) who used her position and trust to take advantage of their elderly mother, Yolanda Hutton.



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Bendigo Bank (Christine Frankham): This will not go away!!!

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JOIN the Bendigo Banksters Facebook Page

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Bendigo Bank (CHRISTINE FRANKHAM)

Georgia Banker Accused of Financial Exploitation

Police say Wells Fargo personal banker is accused of stealing about $10,600 from an elderly customer's account.

Atlanta police spokeswoman Kim Jones says Daniel Araujo befriended a 90-year-old bank customer and asked her to sign what she thought was a transfer slip from her checking to savings account.

Jones says the form was actually a withdrawal slip.

The bank says it's cooperating with police and the customer won't suffer any loss.

Full Article and Source:
Atlanta Bank Employee Accused Theft, Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person

Bank Employee Accused of Bilking Elderly Customer

A Murrieta man who allegedly defrauded an 88-year-old woman "out of a large sum of money" when he worked at a Temecula bank is behind bars, police are reporting.

Don Leon Foster, 35, was arrested at his current place of employment, Chase Bank, located at 1810 University Drive in Vista, according to Riverside County jail records.

The Temecula Police Department has been the lead agency on the investigation. According to Sgt. Kevin McDonald of the department, investigators began looking into "a potential financial elder abuse case and developed evidence that an 88-year-old female victim was taken advantage of by a bank employee in Temecula and defrauded out of a large sum of money."

Full Article and Source:
Murrietta Man Accused of Bilking Elderly Temecula Bank Customer

TX Man Turns Himself in After Elderly Woman Notices $100K Missing

A man turned himself in after an elderly woman reported nearly $10,000 missing from her bank account.

Brandon Scott Smith, 41, was charged with theft of $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 from an elderly individual, a second degree felony.

In January, Smith’s step-grandmother, a Kempner resident, reported to police that funds had been taken from her bank account and she suspected Smith, police said.

A police investigation concluded that $90,988.81 was transferred to his account via the Internet, police said.

Smith was released from the Lampasas County Jail on $5,000 bond.

Source:
Lampasas Man Turns Himself In After Elderly Woman Notices $100,000 Missing

Bank Worker Charged With Bilking Indiana Elderly

Federal embezzlement charges have been lodged against a bank worker in Greensburg, after two elderly customers reported that their accounts had been drained.

Michelle Wagner, a customer service manager for Fifth Third Bank  branch in Greensburg, is charged with taking money from two victims’ accounts between July 2010 and December 2011.

Federal investigators accuse Wagner of pocketing more than $344,000 from the victims’ accounts, after having promised to write checks and pay their routine living expenses using the money from their accounts. Investigators said the victims never authorized her to take money for herself.

For the first victim, agents said Wagner started issuing cashier’s checks and withdrawing cash from the account, totaling $128,404.

Agents said Wagner cashed in numerous certificates of deposit belonging to the second victim, adding up to $171,686. She is also accused of withdrawing $44,829 from the victim’s other accounts, from which she was supposed to be paying the victim’s bills.

A spokesperson for Fifth Third Bank in Indianapolis did not respond to a request for comment.

Full Article and Source:
Bank Worker Charged With Bilking Indiana Elderly

Former Banker, 98, Testifies Against Secretary Accused of Stealing $1.3 Million From His Checks

Ninety-eight-year-old William Salomon climbed gingerly from his wheelchair into the witness stand in federal court in Newark today. As he struggled to reach the raised seat, the concerned-looking judge asked the frail man whether he would be able to make it up to the stand.

"Ooooh yes," Salomon quickly called out.

Moments later, Salomon — who’d traveled from his home on Park Avenue to be at the first day of a bank and wire fraud trial — began answering questions from Prosecutor Evan Weitz.
Yes, he’d started working in 1933 at the Salomon Brothers bond-trading house in New York, a firm that would later become a highly profitable investment bank of world renown. And, yes, his father was one of its founders a century ago.

From the witness stand, Salomon also identified the woman seated at the defense table as Karen Febles, his former secretary from 2000 to 2011. Febles, a tall, blond 48-year-old, is accused of stealing about $1.3 million from Salomon, over the course of five years, through brazenly depositing into her own accounts the cash from checks he’d entrusted to her.

"There’s no reason to have a personal secretary if you can’t trust her," Salomon testified today, when asked by Weitz whether he was careful in overseeing Febles’ check writing. Then, asked directly whether he trusted Febles, he also said, "I certainly did, implicitly."

Former Banker, 98, Testifies Against Secretary Accused of Stealing $1.3 Million From His Checks