International Law

Can You Protect Your Parents?

Ann Gowan writes, in her article, The Thrid Age:

"The older population is extremely vulnerable to exploitation.

The perception is out there that the older generations were and are savers, have built up large nest eggs that are ripe for the picking.

For many of these older folks, the majority of their holdings come from ownership of their homes, pension plans that were offered as part of their work package, some savings from investments and Social Security payments.

These together with a general lifestyle that values frugality have often enabled even middle-income earners to gather small to mid-sized savings."

It is true, like the banks whom Mr. Sutton was so fond of, seniors are where the money lies.

But does that make the targets, apart from them having money?

Gowan writes: "Unfortunately, people tend to be more trusting of others as they grow older.

This, plus the fact that they really need someone trustworthy to help them, puts most in a real bind.

In the past, business was done on a handshake, and most folks who offered their services could be trusted.

Now even speakers at senior centers could be con artists, and folks coming to the door and asking for directions, a drink of water or access to a bathroom should, unfortunately, usually be turned away."

The reality is that 50 years ago, we lived in a closer knit community in which ties and reputations were easily known.

Today it is less obvious whose reputation is bone fide -and there are plenty of pretenders.

But, seniors who have their feet on the ground are no more a target of a con criminal than anyone else who has the same amount of money.

Our biggest technological problem is that we still think that anyone who phones us must a friend - why on earth do we bother to answer the phone otherwise?

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on February 22, 2008 (boomark / email).