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Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups - Elder Financial Empowerment Project
Who We Are
The Elder Financial Empowerment Project provides information, advocacy, referral and legal assistance to senior victims of financial abuse.
What We Do
Financial exploitation, which is also known as material abuse, is the misuse of senior's money or property by others. It includes deceiving a senior, diverting income, mismanaging funds and taking money, property and possessions against a senior's will. Adult children, grandchildren, other relatives, caregivers, acquaintances or friends sometime commit these acts.
To assist senior victims of financial abuse, the Elder Financial Empowerment Project:
- Staffs a toll-free legal helpline at 800.488.2596 to provide information, assistance, advocacy and referrals to senior victims and their surrogates. The helpline is operated on a "call-back" basis - you will be asked to leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
- Provides limited emergency legal representation for victims.
- Provides personal consumer credit advocacy to respond to consumer problems caused by exploitation.
- Works with others for an appropriate civil and/or criminal response that is respectful of the elder's wishes.
Contact Info
Toll-free: 800.488.2596 ext. 328
608.224.0606
More Information
Powers of Attorney for Finances
Click here for information about Powers of Attorney for Finances.
Reporting of Financial Exploitation by Financial Institutions
Banks and other financial institutions are often the first to suspect or discover that an elder is being financial exploited. Understandably, financial institutions are concerned about federal banking privacy laws when deciding how to respond.
CWAG worked with U.S. Senators Kohl and Feingold to clarify the ability
of financial institutions to report financial exploitation. Click above for a packet containing correspondence concerning federal regulators guidance to institutions in Wisconsin.
More information on Bank Reporting
Banks have the potential to be the first line of defense against financial exploitation of the elderly. This training outline illustrates some of the issues in increasing bank reporting.
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