- Elder Abuse Awareness - Top Threats
Elder Abuse Awareness - Top Threats to Missouri Investors
In Missouri and throughout the nation, the aging population is vulnerable to abuse through financial exploitation.
WHY SENIORS ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO FINANCIAL ABUSE
Fraud can happen to anyone, but new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that older people, more than younger adults, may fail to detect suspicious body language and other signs of potential trouble. Combining this statistic with the rising complexity of investments, there is greater risk than ever before for falling victim to investment fraud.
TOP THREATS TO MISSOURI INVESTORS – HELPFUL RESOURCES
Before being lured by the promise of high returns or huge tax savings with little or no risk, educate yourself about the warning signs and do your homework before making a commitment to invest.
Financial exploitation of the elderly or those vulnerable to manipulation and abuse:
- Contact the Vulnerable Citizens Hotline – 855-653-7300
- Or call the Elder Abuse Hotline – 800-392-0210
Insufficient knowledge of those who seek your money:
- Contact the Missouri Investor Protection Hotline – 800-721-7996 or FINRA
- Make sure the person and firm you are talking to is registered in Missouri
- Check out Registered Representatives of Broker/Dealers and Investment Advisory Representatives
Investment fraud:
- Make sure you really know what you think you know about a person or an investment
- Get it in writing, understand it, verify or don’t part with your money
- High returns offered means high risk
Unregistered people offering securities:
- Look them up on BrokerCheck, located at FINRA.org, or call – 800-721-7996
- Ask for the name of the supervisor and check them out as well
WORLD ELDER ABUSE DAY, JUNE 15
On World Elder Abuse Day, the Missouri Securities Division encourages you to recognize that elderly Missourians are being financially exploited, affecting the overall health of many seniors. Help us bring awareness by wearing purple, the official color of World Elder Abuse Day. Remember, if you suspect that an elderly loved one has been financially abused, contact the Vulnerable Citizens Unit at 855-653-7300 for further assistance, or file an online complaint directly with the Securities Division.