Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013 - 86

Veteran Scam Alert
n Julie Schoen ESQ, Council on Aging-OC Director of Elder Abuse Prevention Services

COUNCIL ON AGING ORANGE COUNTY

Con artists are continuing to target and take advantage of those who are most vulnerable – including United States veterans. These scammers are doing irreversible harm to the active-duty military and veteran communities by tarnishing the name of genuine organizations and agencies that are dedicated to aiding the community. These rogue organizations manipulate the patriotism and honor that comes with serving one’s country, and take advantage of those who serve. It is important that those who serve or have served in the military be aware of these potential scams in order to identify and separate the fraudulent from the legitimate organizations There are many ongoing seminars designed to assist the veteran to receive more benefits. While some

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361 Forest Ave., Suite 203 Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 497‐0111 – Tel. (949) 497‐0112 – Fax keith@robwiz.com – Email

Elder Financial Abuse
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Restraining Orders Bank Account Fraud Unauthorized Loans/Gifts Fraudulent Property Transfers Investment Fraud Fraudulent Affection

Nursing Home Abuse
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Pressure Sores Falls/Fractures Medication Mismanagement Disregard of Personal Dignities Violation of Resident Rights

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may be legitimate, a veteran should only use the VA or an organization accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. You can check to see if an organization is accredited on the VA’s website: http:// www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp. A common pitch involves getting a veteran to transfer retirement assets into an irrevocable trust so that the family appears to be impoverished. This helps it meet eligibility requirements for a VA pension and related programs such as Aid and Attendance, which pays an additional benefit to veterans who need assistance with everyday living. At community centers, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, their presentation to older veterans goes something like this: We can get you instant eligibility for additional benefits through a quick overhaul of your investments. These self-described “veterans advocates” are in fact unscrupulous investment advisers. They use complex annuity and trust products to “reposition” assets. These products may tie up veterans’ assets for years and make their funds inaccessible; they may also make the veteran ineligible for Medi-Cal. These products generate high commissions for the salesperson. Other investments pitched by these salesmen at “free lunch” seminars are often completely bogus. If you’re a vet, here are a few things to remember: n The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will never charge you a fee for benefit information or application. n Don’t be fooled by official-sounding names. Some sales agents operate as, or work with, “front” organizations, falsely claiming they have a veteran affiliation and nonprofit status. n Don’t depend on nursing homes, community centers and assisted living facilities to protect you. They may be unaware of the shady nature of the seminars. Often they are paid a fee to let unscrupulous firm give presentations to residents. n Get credible information on how to qualify for veterans benefits by contacting your state veteran’s affairs agency at nasdva.net. The County of Orange Veterans Service Office offers federally compliant, fully accredited representatives, who are your one-stop contact for VA benefits and any other available services. You may reach the Veteran Service Office at (714) 480-6555 and the Office on Aging at 1-800-510-2020. n Before investing, check the agent’s record at your state regulatory office. For a list, visit www.nasaa.org/ about-us/contact-us/contact-your-regulator/.

COUNCIL ON AGING-ORANGE COUNTY (COAOC) IS A 501 (C) 3 NONPROFIT CORPORATION. and Disability FREE OF COST, WE MUST SELL ADVERTISING|SPACE. WHILE WE APPRECIATE THE PAID LISTINGS IN THE GUIDE, THEIR Aging TO DISTRIBUTE THE GUIDE Resource Connection 800-510-2020 | www.adrcoc.org INCLUSION DOES NOT IMPLY A RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICE BY COAOC. ALWAYS BE A VIGILANT CONSUMER. VERIFY INFORMATION AND SEEK REFERENCES WHERE APPROPRIATE.

http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp http://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp http://www.nasdva.net http://www.nasaa.org/about-us/contact-us/contact-your-regulator/ http://www.nasaa.org/about-us/contact-us/contact-your-regulator/

Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013