Reporting Elder Abuse or Financial Exploitation

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), along with seven other federal regulatory agencies, recently released guidance clarifying that if you suspect an account holder may be a victim of elder abuse or financial exploitation, you can report the suspected abuse without violating the consumer’s privacy.

 

Specifically, you can report suspected abuse to law enforcement, social services, and other local, state or federal agencies without violating the privacy provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.¹

 

I strongly encourage you to review your credit union’s policies and procedures to ensure they are consistent with state law and the interagency guidance regarding reporting requirements when a financial institution suspects elder abuse or financial exploitation.²  

 

Please also ensure your credit union’s staff is trained on the potential signs that might trigger a report of elder abuse or financial exploitation.  Elder abuse involves the illegal or improper use of an older adult’s funds, property or assets.  Older adults can become targets of financial exploitation by family members, caregivers, financial advisors, home repair contractors, and scam artists.  If you or your staff  know the older adults in your membership, you may be able to spot irregular behavior or account activity.  Telltale signs are highlighted in the enclosed guidance.

 

Recently the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation developed Money Smart for Older Adults, another useful resource for training and raising awareness about preventing, identifying, and responding to elder abuse or financial exploitation.  Information on this curriculum and other resources regarding the prevention of financial abuse of older adults is available at www.ncua.gov and Pocket Cents.