Financial elder abuse is hot topic

FALLBROOK – San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood addressed the issue of financial elder abuse at a recent Rotary Club of Fallbrook luncheon.

Part of the law enforcement system within the county, Greenwood talked about crime, scams, and the like, as opposed to when an individual is mean to their parents.

An accomplished speaker, Greenwood used a 10-point tips list of ways to avoid being victimized, which included choosing a caregiver with caution; keeping an inventory of all jewelry and valuables; protecting incoming and outgoing mail; using caller I.D.; not responding to email or telephone scams such as “you’ve won the lottery;” not assuming a friendly contractor is licensed; having a secure door and window set-up; and never allowing a stranger into one’s house under any pretext they may offer.

Greenwood was on the meeting agenda early in order to return to the Superior Court to arraign an individual who had committed a serious crime against a senior citizen.