I recently had the opportunity to take part in a panel discussion for the New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NJ NAELA) called “Protecting Seniors from Romance Scams.” The program brought together members of this organization who share the goal of keeping our seniors safe from financial exploitation.
For my part I spoke about these cases from a law enforcement perspective. What happens when victims come forward, the challenges police face when investigating these cases, and the steps they take to protect and support victims. Unfortunately, by the time police get involved, a lot of damage has often already been done, and in many cases it’s irreversible. That’s why education and early intervention are so important. We also discussed what happens when a family comes to the police, but the actual victim does not want to cooperate due to either embarrassment or they don’t believe they are being victimized.
Elder Law Attorney Beth Manes, of Manes & Weinberg, LLC, focused on helping clients avoid becoming victims in the first place. She discussed practical tools families often use, such as Powers of Attorney, joint accounts, and “trusted contact person” designations with brokerage firms and explained both the benefits and potential pitfalls of each. That last safeguard, the trusted contact, is often what brings these cases to light before things get worse.
Retired Bergen County Superior Court Judge Edward Jerejian led an informative discussion on Guardianships vs. Protective Arrangements. Beth noted that guardianship is rarely the first step, since it can be difficult to obtain the necessary medical certifications. Judge Jerejian explained how a protective arrangement can quickly “stop the bleeding” from compromised accounts while capacity evaluations are underway, and he shared what courts typically look for in these filings and in the evidence presented.
The discussion was both engaging and eye-opening, and it really highlighted how law enforcement, attorneys, and the courts can come together to protect some of the most vulnerable members of our community. As a retired law enforcement professional who regularly gives presentations on Internet fraud, I came away with new insights that I can pass along to our community, especially to families of potential victims, to help them spot warning signs early and act before it’s too late.
While legal safeguards and law enforcement efforts are critical, prevention starts with simple, practical steps that anyone can take:
- Always avoid sharing personal information with someone you’ve only met online.
- If you receive photos or stories that seem suspicious, perform a reverse image search or google the story to verify their authenticity.
- Keep all social media profiles set to private to limit exposure.
- Remember, any request for money should immediately raise a red flag.
- Above all, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.