Elder Financial Abuse

Older Australians are typically more vulnerable to scams, fraud, and other forms of financial abuse. Understand how to protect yourself from abuse of this kind. 

Forms of elder abuse

• - Abusing power of authority 
• - Frauds and scams 
• - Improper use of funds 
• - Theft 
• - Failure to provide promised care
• - Emotional blackmail

Identifying the signs of elder financial abuse

• You permit someone to access your account and unexplained transactions begin to occur
• You are missing bank statements or the information in your bank statements doesn't make sense
• Someone who does not have the authority over your money accompanies you to the bank to make a withdrawal
• Someone completes financial documents on your behalf and without your knowledge
• Someone treats you in a way that is threatening or controlling
• You have unusual or unknown transactions appear on your account

Tips for avoiding scams and fraud

• Hang up on suspicious phone calls, even if the caller claims to be from a reputable company. Call back from a trusted number on the company website.
• No reputable company or government department will ever ask you to provide your credit card information (PIN, expiry date), or account credentials over the phone.
• If you receive a suspicious SMS, email, or phone call, do not provide any personal details or  click on any links. You can check scamwatch.gov.au for known scams, or you can report one yourself at cyber.gov.au
• Do not share your passwords or personal information.
• Ensure you have up-to-date anti-virus software on your computer. Visit scamwatch.gov.au for  more information. 
• Refrain from sending money or personal information to people from unusual locations. 
• When online shopping, ensure that you only complete your purchase from secured websites. Secure addresses start with 'https' or have a padlock symbol at the front. 
• Refrain from swiping your card when buying something. Inserting or tapping your card is typically more secure. 
• If you are travelling, ensure you tell your bank or provider the dates you are travelling and the dates you will be visiting. 

How older Australians can learn the online skills to stay safe

Online skills, knowledge and confidence are key for older Australians to protect their privacy, avoid scams and reduce social isolation that can foster elder abuse. Be Connected is an award-winning Australian government initiative that provides all of this - free of charge. The Be Connected Website is a one-stop shop with more than 150 online learning modules and 350 learning activities. From setting strong passwords to communicating on social media and spotting scams - it is a powerful resource for older Australians to protect themselves.

How we can help

Many of us will experience financial or personal difficulties at some point in our lives and be in need of extra help and care. If you find yourself in a vulnerable position and want to understand the support options available, contact our Customer Service Team on 13 24 84. 

Financial Hardship assistance

If you find yourself experiencing financial difficulties causes by an unexpected life change, you may want to consider applying for financial hardship assistance. Visit our Financial Hardship page for further information regarding the application process. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can provide you with support and assistance.