The Tennessee Department of Human Services is issuing a warning about the growing problem of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
The department’s Adult Protective Services division received more than 4,000 complaints of financial exploitation in fiscal year 2017-2018. That’s more than the year prior and an increase of 33% from the state fiscal year 2015-2016.
APS is charged with investigating reports of abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), and/or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, all across the state.
TDHS is encouraging families and friends to know how to spot financial exploitation.
Common signs include: sudden changes in the person’s financial condition or quality of life, financial activity the person couldn’t have done, such as an ATM withdrawal when the account holder is bedridden, large withdrawals from the person’s bank account, no food in the home, the utilities are cut off and the home is not maintained and unpaid bills.
Call toll-free 1-888-APS-TENN (1-888-277-8366) to report suspected abuse of the elderly and vulnerable adults.