Contractors, handymen, loan brokers, even family can scam older homeowners. What to know

By LEW SICHELMAN Andrews McMeel Syndication

Every few years, federal regulators issue warnings to banks and credit unions about the dangers of senior financial abuse. But it isn’t just up to financial institutions to spot instances of potential fraud. It’s also up to anyone with a family member or friend who’s getting up in years — especially if they own their home.

 Older homeowners are a prime target for swindlers, and it’s easy to see why. Not only are seniors viewed as vulnerable and trusting, but homeowners 62 and older are sitting atop roughly $14 trillion of housing wealth.

Unfortunately, an AARP report says that older adults lose around $28.3 billion annually to some form of financial exploitation. And the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, part of the U.S. Treasury Department, says banking institutions filed more than 155,000 elder financial victimization reports in the 12-month period ending in June 2023. 

These reports don’t break out figures related solely to the housing sector. But financial exploitation can take many forms, as do those who prey on unsuspecting seniors. Sometimes, for example, rogue loan officers or real estate agents persuade an elderly homeowner to sign false loan documents and keep the proceeds for themselves. Sometimes, they even take over the senior’s house. 

More often, though, the culprit is a family member. Verified cases by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services found that two-thirds of elderly fraud perpetrators were family members. Sons are most likely to rip off a parent or grandparent, according to a MetLife study. But fake paramours, fly-by-night contractors, bogus handymen and shady housing professionals are guilty, too.

Most mortgage lenders, real estate professionals and contractors act lawfully. But some don’t. In one instance, a loan broker persuaded a widow with dementia to take out a reverse mortgage on her house. In another case, a tax preparer took total control of all the assets of a 65-year-old client.

In yet another, a popular hairstylist persuaded three women to let him manage their real estate investments. When one died, it was discovered that he had depleted her bank and investment accounts, and her home now belonged to him. 

The message here is clear: If there is an elder in your life who is considering a reverse mortgage, home equity loan or some other type of financing, or is even just hiring someone to remodel a kitchen or bath, gently talk to them about their plans. Make sure it makes financial sense. 

This, of course, assumes your senior is willing to discuss their financial situation; many keep that information private for fear of losing their independence. But if you can get them to open up, talk about the pros and cons of their plans together. In situations involving reverse mortgages, in which borrowers extract equity from their properties, federal rules mandate that borrowers meet with an independent housing counselor for a full explanation of what is involved. But there are no such protections for other types of loans or for dealing with contractors.

Consequently, you should make sure your senior knows exactly what they are getting into. 

Here are a few questions to ask to make sure they aren’t being exploited: 

▪ Find out who is really going to benefit: the senior, or someone else. Red flags include caregivers who isolate elders from their family and friends, new “best friends,” missing belongings, and bank and investment statements that are no longer being received by the senior. In one case, a woman established a joint checking account to help another woman she’d befriended in a senior computer class pay her bills. Only after one of her checks bounced did she discover most of her money was gone. In another instance, a caregiver in a group home diverted the Social Security checks originally sent to more than 30 residents to her own home.

▪ Try to determine if the senior is being coerced, and if so, by whom. Be particularly aware of in-home helpers, including personal care attendants and meal service providers, who have access to the senior’s financial papers and identifying information. Pay special attention to those hired directly from newspaper ads or referral services that are not screened by a local government agency. In one case, a caregiver hired by an 84-year-old bedridden senior forged the senior’s signature to create a false power of attorney. The caregiver then proceeded to put his name on the senior’s accounts and replace the senior’s home address with his own. Luckily, the senior took action when he realized he was no longer receiving monthly bank statements. 

▪ Determine if the senior’s needs can be solved in another way. For example, there are several alternatives to a reverse mortgage, and there may be other choices besides a second mortgage to pay for a needed remodeling project. If this is beyond your area of expertise, consider calling in a trusted or recommended professional for advice.

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Contractors, handymen, loan brokers, even family can scam older homeowners. What to know

Attorney general's office fights to reform adult guardianship

A Kent County guardian was recently charged criminally, accused of stealing from the people she was supposed to protect. (Jan. 10, 2025)

Source:
Attorney general's office fights to reform adult guardianship

Woman sentenced for stealing from her elderly mother using Power of Attorney

District Attorney Stephan Baratta announced Tuesday that a Northampton County woman was sentenced for financially exploiting her elderly mother. 

Alyssa Piazza was sentenced on December 12, 2024, to 58 to 116 months in state prison.

According to the DA, she was sentenced for financial exploitation of an older adult and related charges for the theft of her 86-year-old mother's entire estate. 

She achieved the theft by the criminal misuse of a Power of Attorney.

The DA states that Piazza's actions left her mother virtually homeless, as she diverted her mother's estate, including selling her mother's home that she lived in for 27 years.

She was found guilty by a jury of three counts of theft by unlawful taking, two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received, financial exploitation of an older adult, and abuse of care-dependent person.

Full Article & Source:
Woman sentenced for stealing from her elderly mother using Power of Attorney

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Hellertown woman found guilty in financial exploitation of mother, authorities say

Navigating the Journey: A Conversational Guide to Caring for Elderly Parents

My grandmother, a proud Southern woman, was "old school" in every sense. She worked hard to conceal her pain and fear during her final years.

by JuJuan Buford

Why I Felt Compelled to Share This

A recent conversation with a professional in the Medicare and Medicaid industry struck a deep chord with me. We talked about the difficult choices many elderly people face, like having to decide between missing a meal or accessing healthcare. It was a sobering reminder of how fragile these years can be for so many.

That conversation took me back to the heartache I felt when my grandmother passed—one of only two people in my life who truly knew me. She understood my aspirations, my temperament, and she supported and loved me unconditionally.

I was much younger then, inexperienced and unaware of the silent struggles the elderly endure. My grandmother, a proud Southern woman, was "old school" in every sense. She worked hard to conceal her pain and fear during her final years. She was afraid of the possibility of ill treatment in a care facility, and yet, she hid these fears from us. I didn’t have the wisdom to see what she was going through, nor the resources to give her the dignified care she deserved.

Her passing hurt, but what broke me even more was the realization that I hadn’t been able to anticipate or ease her fears. That feeling has stayed with me, and it’s what motivates me to share this article.

I hope this serves as a guide for others, helping families navigate the financial and legal complexities of caring for their elderly loved ones with more wisdom, preparation, and compassion than I had back then.

---

Caring for elderly parents is a journey filled with love, challenges, and an unwavering sense of responsibility. It’s a time to ensure their comfort and security while navigating financial and legal complexities. Let’s break this down into manageable steps, each designed to give you clarity and confidence as you support your parents.

Understanding Their Financial Picture

Before making decisions, it’s essential to know where your parents stand financially. Think of this as a fact-finding mission:

• Gather their financial documents: bank statements, retirement accounts, insurance policies, and any investments.

• Identify their income sources, like Social Security, pensions, or annuities.

• Map out their monthly expenses, including utilities, housing, and medical costs.

This foundation will help you create a realistic plan for managing their finances effectively.

The Importance of Estate Planning

Estate planning isn’t just about the future; it’s about honoring your parents’ wishes and avoiding unnecessary disputes. If they haven’t already, encourage them to:

• Update their wills, trusts, and powers of attorney.

• Put a healthcare directive (living will) in place to outline their medical preferences.

• Review and confirm beneficiaries on accounts and insurance policies.

These steps can be delicate to discuss, but framing them as a way to ensure their peace of mind often makes the conversation easier.

Empowering Trusted Decision-Makers

What happens if your parents can no longer manage their affairs? A durable power of attorney ensures someone trustworthy steps in when needed. If this hasn’t been arranged:

• Talk with your parents about who they trust to make financial and legal decisions.

• Work with an attorney to draft or update this document.

This safeguard provides security and clarity during uncertain times.

Planning for Healthcare and Long-Term Care

Healthcare costs are one of the biggest concerns families face. It’s vital to have a plan:

• Review their health insurance coverage, including Medicare and supplemental policies.

• Investigate long-term care insurance options if they’re available.

• Understand Medicaid eligibility and application requirements to prepare for potential needs.

Don’t hesitate to bring in professionals to help with these complex topics.

Taking Stock of Property and Assets

From homes to vehicles, understanding your parents’ assets is key to managing their financial future. Take the time to:

• List their properties and valuable items.

• Confirm that property titles are accurate and resolve any liens.

• Consider whether downsizing or liquidating assets could ease financial strain and free up resources for their care.

Tackling Debt Management

Unmanaged debt can quickly become a burden. To lighten the load:

• Compile a list of all debts, including credit cards, loans, and mortgages.

• Contact creditors to discuss more manageable payment plans or settlements.

Reducing financial stress allows your parents to focus on what matters most: their well-being.

Getting Professional Support

You don’t have to do this alone. Bringing in experts can provide invaluable guidance:

• Elder Law Attorneys can address estate planning, Medicaid, and guardianship matters.

• Financial Advisors can help optimize investments and plan for long-term care costs.

• Tax Professionals can uncover caregiving-related deductions to save money.

Think of these professionals as your trusted allies in safeguarding your parents’ interests.

Full Article & Source:
Navigating the Journey: A Conversational Guide to Caring for Elderly Parents

New Details About Wendy Williams' Health Revealed

By BIN

Charlamagne tha God shared a new update on Wendy Williams' health amid claims that she was "cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and legally incapacitated.”

During an episode of "The Breakfast Club," Charlamagne tha God revealed that he had spoken with the former talk show host over the holidays.

Charlamagne suggested that Williams sounded like her old self, adding that she could be ready for a potential return to radio or television soon. His comments come after Williams was diagnosed with aphasia and dementia in May 2023, roughly one year after a legal guardian was put in place to oversee her health and finances.

In a court filing obtained by TMZ in November, Williams' guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, said the ex-tv host "has been afflicted by early-onset dementia and, as a result, has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated."

“No cap, I spoke to Wendy over the holidays. She was—seemed perfectly fine to me. Wendy sound like she can do radio tomorrow if she wanted to,” Charlamagne said on a recent episode of "The Breakfast Club." “She sound like Wendy Williams, she didn’t skip a beat. She answered the phone like ‘why you talking like we just spoke yesterday?’ She wanted me to be more excited. There ain’t nothing incapacitated about Wendy Williams.”

“I don’t know what ‘incapacitated’ means in regards to the dementia or whatever they said she was dealing with, but no—there ain’t nothing incapacitated about Wendy Williams," he added.

In December, Williams was spotted celebrating her son Kevin Hunter Jr.’s graduation from Florida International University. Video surfaced online of a heated exchange between Williams and her caretakers who allegedly left her mobility scooter in the middle of the street following a graduation dinner for her son.

Full Article & Source:
New Details About Wendy Williams' Health Revealed

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Wendy Williams

Macomb County Woman Sentenced on 18 Felony Counts for Stealing from Vulnerable Adults

January 10, 2025 

LANSING – On Wednesday, Lisa Ludy, 54, of Macomb, was sentenced to 3 to 20 years’ incarceration on 18 felony counts for stealing from two vulnerable adults, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Ludy, who pled no contest in July 2024, was sentenced by Judge Julie Gatti in the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in Macomb County to:

• 3 to 20 years’ incarceration on two counts of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise;
• 3 to 15 years’ incarceration on one count of Embezzlement $50,000 to $100,000;
• 3 to 10 years’ incarceration on one count of Embezzlement $20,000 to $50,0000;
• 1 year incarceration on all other counts, which include six counts of Financial Transaction Device-Stealing/Retaining Without Consent, one count of Embezzlement From a Vulnerable Adult - $1,000 or More But Less Than $20,000, one count of Witness-Bribing/Intimidating/Interfering, two counts of Embezzlement $1,000 to $20,000, and four counts of Failure to File Tax Return. 

All counts are to run concurrently.

As a condition of the plea agreement, Ludy agreed to pay total restitution of $187,827.96 to the victims. Ludy paid $17,000 in restitution for the victims prior to her sentencing.

“This sentence secures not only prison time but substantial restitution for the vulnerable adults who were exploited by the guardian and conservator they entrusted with their finances,” Nessel said. “My office remains committed to seeking justice for some of our state’s most vulnerable and providing pathways for them to recoup their stolen funds.” 

In 2016, Ludy petitioned to have her company, Community Guardian Care, Inc., appointed as a guardian and conservator for one of two victims. Upon the appointment as guardian and conservator, Ludy used her position and company to steal over $100,000 from the victim, which she used to pay personal bills and funnel money to her family’s companies - Career Health Studies, Career Health Training Corporation, and Applewood Adult Foster Care Home. Ludy also intentionally concealed the money she took from the victim and failed to file income taxes from 2016 through 2019. 

After Ludy was initially charged in 2022, a second victim reported that Ludy would not return his money. Ludy faced additional charges for stealing his Social Security income from his bank account by using his debit card to make numerous purchases and withdrawals from the account after she had already been removed as the victim’s guardian. Ludy also interfered with the victim and attempted to prevent and/or obstruct him from pressing charges and testifying in court against her.

Source:
Macomb County Woman Sentenced on 18 Felony Counts for Stealing from Vulnerable Adults

See Also:
Macomb County Woman Pleads No Contest to 18 Felony Counts for Stealing from Vulnerable Adults

Macomb County woman faces several felony charges for allegedly stealing from vulnerable adults

Macomb County Woman Bound Over to Circuit Court on 18 Felony Counts

Macomb Township woman accused of stealing over $100,000 from vulnerable adult

Macomb County Woman Faces Additional Charges for Stealing From a Second Vulnerable Adult

Elder abuse pandemic: Golden years gone wrong

The elderly, roughed up in nursing homes, hit by caregivers, stolen from by strangers, and neglected by family. A study by the Administration on Aging reports that before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 10 elderly adults in the U.S. suffered abuse. Today that number has doubled to 1 in 5.

Source:
Elder abuse pandemic: Golden years gone wrong

‘Broken system’: AG’s office still pushing for guardianship reform

by: Susan Samples

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The prosecutor who heads up Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force says he won’t stop fighting to reform the state’s system for appointing guardians and conservators.

“You can take control over another human being’s life and their property and not have anything regarding certification or licensure,” said Scott Teter, chief of the Financial Crimes Division within the Office of the Michigan Attorney General. “That’s insane. … That system’s broken.” 

Target 8 first sat down with Teter in 2020 after a Grand Rapids woman was charged in Muskegon County with embezzling from the vulnerable adults whose money she controlled as their guardian.

Teter heads up the state’s Elder Abuse Task Force, which was launched by the attorney general’s office in 2019.

“You could be stocking the shelves at Walmart yesterday — no offense to those folks — but today, you could be a guardian if the judge appoints you,” Teter said in 2020. “That’s it. There’s no training required. There’s no certification. There’s nothing.”

At the time, Teter touted efforts underway to reform the state’s system for appointing guardians and conservators by plugging loopholes and beefing up safeguards.

Four years later, after Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker filed a criminal enterprise charge against public guardian Kimberley St. Onge, accusing her of embezzling from two of her wards, Target 8 checked back in with Teter to see if the Elder Abuse Task Force had succeeded in its mission.

“No. We’re not done yet,” said Teter in a Friday morning interview with Target 8 via Zoom. “We’ve presented legislation. I can’t pass legislation. I can draft it. I can consult with the 110 members of that task force to make sure we’ve looked at every possible angle to come up with the best system we can present.”

One such proposal would have required training and certification for guardians and conservators.

Right now, the rules vary from county to county, and the state dedicates no public funding for guardian and conservator programs.

“It’s pretty much been left up to the probate judges to sort of figure that out,” said Teter on Friday. “We proposed the Office of State Guardian (in 2023) that would step into this space and provide certification, oversight of public guardians and public funding at a cost of $10 million and could not get support for that.”

Teter says reform advocates encountered pushback from the guardian and conservator industry, the probate section of the Michigan Bar and probate court judges.

Judge David Murkowski, chief judge of the Kent County Probate Court, was among those who criticized some proposed reforms.

“The current legislation I do not believe, in its current form, provides meaningful, widespread protection to guarded individuals,” Murkowski testified in June 2023 before the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety. “It overregulates professional guardians, and the legislation, in essence I think, is going to reduce the number of available fiduciaries to serve as guardians.”

Murkowski argued that reform advocates failed to present “empirical evidence to support the premise in the legislation that professional fiduciaries are responsible for — or are the perpetrators of — the lion’s share of exploitation and require additional regulation.”

Murkowski pointed to published statistics showing family members are responsible for substantially more financial exploitation of elders than professional guardians.

“So, when I consider who is committing financial exploitation and review the proposed legislation, things seem a little upside down,” Murkowski testified. “Because the legislation is not focused on who’s committing the lion’s share of the exploitation, which is regrettably family members.”

Murkowski said he fears proposed reforms will make it even harder to recruit public guardians, a task that’s already difficult.

“The need for both family and professional guardians is great, and this need is not going to diminish,” Murkowski told the committee. “Almost every probate court has a waiting list to look for a guardian. … What will be the result if guardianship is more difficult to secure? One, we’re going to have an increase in homelessness. Two, we’re going to have a flooding of missions and shelters.”

There has been some progress made in the reform effort, according to Teter.

“In those five years, we’ve made banks and credit unions mandatory reporters for financial exploitation,” Teter told Target 8. “We redid the entire power of attorney bill. … We also just this past spring got adopted the bill to make financial advisors and security brokers mandatory reporters to try to figure out: Where are the piles of cash, and how do we get alerted if somebody tries to steal it? So those things were big wins.“

Teter says reform advocates plan to reintroduce proposed reforms this legislative session, including the creation of the Office of the State Guardian.

The AG’s office reports that more than 73,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. If you’re seeking resources or if you’ve experienced or witnessed elder abuse, you’re urged to call 800.242.2873 or 855.444.3911.

Full Article & Source:
‘Broken system’: AG’s office still pushing for guardianship reform

Wendy's Health, Her Thoughts on Diddy And Other Mysteries, Answered

Williams was once again in the spotlight in recent months, as conflicting reports regarding her health continued to surface.

By Jared Alexander 

Nobody did it like Wendy Williams. The iconic TV and radio personality is a truly singular talent, breaking boundaries and carving her own path in an often- male-dominated media landscape. A one-of-a-kind host, the loss of Williams in the industry is still felt today, with people continuing to take to social media almost weekly, calling for Wendy’s thoughts and opinions whenever a major pop culture moment happens.

In the years since Wendy left our TV screens, we’ve gotten a few updates in regards to her health, her court-ordered guardianship, and whether we will ever get a proper return from Williams. It’s a lot to keep up with, but we’ve got you covered. We’re breaking down the biggest questions surrounding the legendary media personality below.

1. What Exactly is Wendy’s Diagnosis?

There was always a big question mark regarding Wendy’s health and the severity of it, especially after she swiftly left her TV show in the middle of the season back in 2022. While rumors swirled regarding exactly what Williams could have been suffering from, in February of 2024 Williams’ representatives revealed that she was diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, just two years after it was revealed she was already suffering from Grave’s Disease and Lymphedema.

“In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD),” the press release reads. Read more on her diagnosis here.

2. When Was Williams First Spotted After the Diagnosis?

In August of 2024, Williams was spotted for the first time in over a year, brightening the days of all of her devoted fans. In a photo from August 19th, Williams is standing with her 24-year-old son Kevin Hunter Jr. at a holistic wellness store. Shared on the store’s Facebook page, the photo made waves online, with many feeling relief seeing the host out and about for the first time in what felt like ages.

3. What are Wendy’s Thoughts on the Diddy of it All?

 One of the many hot topics fans of Williams were clamoring for her take on, is the Diddy of it all. As we have significantly reported, Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing several civil sexual assault cases and is currently in custody awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges. In a rare occurrence since her step back from the public eye, Williams gave an interview to Daily Mail, breaking her silence on the Diddy news.

“What is really weird is that I have been told by so many people ‘Wendy you called it,’” she told the outlet. “Including some people from my family who have said the same.”

4. Wait, is Wendy is Permanently Incapacitated?

One of the saddest reports to come from Wendy’s team last year came around November, when her official court-appointed guardian Sabrina Morrissey shared that Williams had become “cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and incapacitated” from her dementia. The story was particularly disheartening, especially as her medical team had told PEOPLE earlier that year that she was allegedly “still cognitive enough to do many things for herself.”

5. ...or is she?

In a shocking turn of events, the reports of Williams’ incapacitation and permanent disability got murkier in December when video footage of the host surfaced on the internet. In an Instagram video, Williams is seen in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., grabbing takeout from a Black-owned seafood restaurant. Williams is both seen and heard communicating with the workers from her car, all the while they’re chanting her iconic “How you doing?” phrase back to her.

She even is seen smiling and laughing with the workers from her car. This, of course, led to even more confusion from her fans, with one user writing on X, “I just saw Wendy Williams on video getting a seafood plate and talking. What exactly does incapacitated mean??????”

6. Did Kevin Hunter Enters the Chat, Again?

At the end of 2024, Kevin Hunter, Williams’ infamous ex-husband, made headlines after he filed a ‘Grievance Committee’ complaint against Williams’ legal guardian, Morrissey. As we reported, the concerning documents alleged that Morrissey “is not and has not been legally appointed as Guardian” of Williams. “Yet Ms. Morrissey has filed motions, cross motions, and responses to motions, as well as testified in court in a jurisdiction that she has no legal standing,” the documents read. “Ms. Morrissey is practicing law without a license in the State of New Jersey.”

For context, Hunter and Morrissey have been in a legal back-and-forth of sorts since 2020, when Hunter’s divorce from Williams was finalized. Still, this was yet another confusing layer to an already complicated and devastating situation.

7. Is Wendy Doing Better Than We Thought?

After almost a year of no sightings, Williams was spotted again, for the second time in a month, last December. As we reported, the scene this time was from her son’s graduation dinner, where Williams was seen acting very much like her old self. Yelling at her team after her mobility scooter was left unattended, she is seen saying, “Then both of you walked away leaving my s**t in the middle of the street like this. Just get the car please.”

While not the most pleasant video, it once again was confirmation for some of her fans that she may not be as “incapacitated” and “permanently disabled” as once reported.

Full Article & Source:
Wendy's Health, Her Thoughts on Diddy And Other Mysteries, Answered

See Also:
Wendy Williams