The scammers focused on the aging population has become overwhelming and on the rise. 

Americans over 60 are increasingly falling victim to crimes of fraud perpetrated online and over the phone at rates that add up to billions in losses each year, and federal investigators are warning that the scammers are becoming more sophisticated in the ploys they use to get their victims to hand over large sums of money.  

An estimated $28.3 billion is lost to elder fraud scams each year, according to a recent AARP Study. It found that 72% — or more than $20 billion — is taken by individuals who are known to the victims, like family members, friends or advisers. The study says many of the scams that account for the nearly $30 billion lost go unreported, and the FBI is now urging anyone who encounters suspicious activity online to disengage and report the conduct to law enforcement. 

Rich Brune — a 75-year-old retiree living in Virginia —  told CBS News he fell for an online scam last year that cost him nearly $800,000. Sophisticated criminals posing as Microsoft workers contacted him online and told Brune his computer had been hacked, his financial accounts were compromised, and he needed to take urgent remedial action. 

Over a five-month period, the Navy veteran said he was instructed to transfer much of his life savings into a cryptocurrency account that the scammers told him was safe from the purported hackers. Instead, they were robbing him of his nest egg.  

After his money vanished, according to Brune, the Internal Revenue Service informed him that he owed approximately $200,000 in taxes because the money stolen from him had been withdrawn from his retirement accounts.

Crimes Against the Aging Population in America

News Breaking Story 
How the Court Sentenced My Grandmother to Death in a Nursing Home 
"Wake Your Ask Up!" 2 season "Kare Fact," addressing the crimes in probate court and the transfer of generational wealth. 

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20530

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my profound concern and urgency regarding a matter of utmost importance—the protection of our senior citizens from potential abuse and exploitation within the probate court system. It has come to my attention, through personal experience and mounting evidence, that there is a pressing need to address the alarming issue of abuse of power and financial exploitation targeting vulnerable seniors.

The abuse and exploitation that I speak of extend to various individuals and entities within the probate court system, including court-appointed attorneys, guardians, senior caregivers, and fiduciary representatives. These individuals and entities, under the guise of legal authority, have been infringing upon the rights of our seniors and unlawfully declaring them incompetent, all with the intent to defraud and swindle their estates. The consequences of this abuse of power have been devastating, with some seniors enduring great harm and, in tragic cases, even losing their lives.

The rapid growth in cases of abuse targeting our senior population is deeply troubling. As our senior population has tripled in this country, so too have those who seek to commit fraud, inflict harm, and abuse. I speak from personal experience as my mother was subjected to abuse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on multiple occasions. I sought the support of the government in Madison, Wisconsin in addressing my concerns, but each investigation yielded results claiming a lack of sustainable evidence in my mother's case.

Tragically, my mother passed away on April 18th, and shortly thereafter, our family experienced yet another traumatic incident. My uncle, who resided in the state of Illinois, passed away. He had been the caregiver for my grandmother, along with a state-run senior home-based agency. Shockingly, the agency swiftly took possession of my uncle's remains and cremated him within two days. The owner of the agency then appointed himself as the power of attorney, asserting that both my uncle and grandmother had no extended live relatives.

It was only through a reliable source that our family learned about these developments. My sister hired an investigator to locate my grandmother, who we discovered was in a local hospital in Chicago. In the discharge process, the owner of the caregiver agency claimed to be the appointed power of attorney, resulting in the courts ruling that my grandmother be placed in a nursing home. While in the nursing home, my grandmother sustained a black eye under suspicious circumstances. When we reported this incident to Cook County Probate Court Judge Aicha Marie MacCarthy, our concerns were summarily dismissed, and we were even removed from the Zoom session during a hearing.

Review & Sign the Petition 
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/protecting-our-seniors-from-court-guardianship-abuse
://
Join the Community "Kare Facts" https://www.karefacts.com

How the Court Sentenced My Grandmother to Death in a Nursing Home

### Navigating the Challenges of the Sandwich Generation

As we delve into the complexities faced by the sandwich generation—those caught between caring for their aging parents and raising their own children—the urgency for comprehensive elder care reform becomes starkly apparent. As the population ages gracefully into their golden years, many adult children find themselves in the role of caretakers, a transition fraught with emotional and logistical challenges.

A significant concern for this generation is the looming specter of memory loss among the elderly, a condition that complicates caregiving and legal planning. In response, many baby boomers are taking the essential step of securing a durable power of attorney for their parents. This legal instrument is critical as it ensures that in the event a parent is deemed incompetent, a designated family member, rather than state institutions, can make decisions on their behalf.

Unfortunately, the state’s intervention in these matters does not always yield the most humane outcomes. An increasing number of cases reveal that judicial decisions tend to favor placing the elderly in institutions—a solution that often leads to suboptimal care—rather than exploring the possibilities of home-based care where family members can provide love and support.

The decision to move an aging loved one into a nursing home or community-based residential facility is one of the most difficult choices a family can make, particularly when these facilities face significant challenges themselves. Many are plagued by a chronic shortage of compassionate and dedicated staff, leading to instances of abuse and neglect. This not only diminishes the quality of life for our seniors but can also hasten their decline and death, making the care they receive a pivotal factor in their final years.

The state of senior care in America is at a critical juncture. With alarming facts coming to light about the deficiencies in elder care, the need for reform has never been more urgent. It is imperative that we address these issues head-on, advocating for policies that prioritize the health, dignity, and rights of our aging population. Families across the United States are grappling with these realities daily, and it is our responsibility to ensure that our society evolves to provide better care options that respect the wishes and needs of the elderly and their families.

Navigating the Challenges of the Sandwich Generation

Introducing "Wake Your Ask Up with Tam Lawrence," the thought-provoking podcast that dares to challenge the status quo and ignite change. Join your host, Tam Lawrence, as she fearlessly dives into the depths of societal issues, seeking to wake up the dormant questions that lie within us all. With a captivating blend of insight, passion, and a touch of humor, Tam Lawrence provides a refreshing perspective on a wide range of topics that matter most to us.

In this relaunch kick-off episode, Tam Lawrence fearlessly tackles the theme of failed leadership. With an unwavering commitment to truth and justice, she exposes the flaws and shortcomings of leaders across various domains, exploring the impact of their actions on individuals and communities alike. With compelling stories, engaging interviews, and thought-provoking analysis, this short episode serves as a powerful reminder of the dire consequences that result from a lack of effective leadership.

Prepare to have your assumptions challenged and your mind awakened as Tam Lawrence fearlessly confronts the issues that have long been swept under the rug. "Wake Your Ask Up with Tam Lawrence" is not just a podcast; it's a rallying cry for change, urging listeners to embrace their own power and demand accountability from those in positions of authority. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and motivated to take action like never before.

Navigating the Challenges of the Sandwich Generation

Wake Your Ask Up

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