Financial Abuse.
Material and financial abuse pertains to the improper or unauthorized use of someone’s resources, property, or finances without their informed consent, often resulting in personal gain for the abuser.
Elder Financial Exploitation: Unauthorized use of an elderly person’s finances or assets.
Romantic Partner Exploitation: One partner misusing the other’s funds or assets in a romantic relationship.
Identity Theft: Unauthorized use of someone’s personal information for financial gain.
Inheritance Hijacking: Manipulating wills, trusts, or inheritance processes to wrongfully claim assets.
Unauthorized Loans: Taking out loans in someone else’s name without their knowledge or consent.
Fraud and Scams: Deceptive practices to swindle victims out of money or assets.
Child Financial Abuse: Misusing funds intended for a child’s well-being or education.
Real Estate Fraud: Misrepresentation or deception in property transactions.
Employer Wage Abuse: Employers unlawfully withholding wages or benefits from their employees.
Financial Control in Relationships: One partner controlling all finances and restricting the other’s access.
Coercive Tied Selling: Pressuring consumers to buy an unwanted product in order to purchase a desired one.
Bank Account Misuse: Unauthorized access and use of someone’s bank account.
Benefit Fraud: Claiming someone’s government or insurance benefits without their knowledge or consent.
Exploitation of Vulnerable Populations: Taking advantage of those with disabilities, mental health issues, or others in vulnerable states.
Business Partner Exploitation: One business partner misusing or embezzling shared funds or assets.
Pyramid and Ponzi Schemes: Fraudulent investment scams promising high returns with little risk.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: A trusted person misusing their position to exploit another’s assets or finances.
Investment Scams: Deceptive tactics to lure individuals into making bad investment choices.
Power of Attorney Abuse: Misusing the authority granted by a power of attorney document.
Credit Card Fraud: Unauthorized use of someone’s credit card or card information.
Mortgage Fraud: Providing false information to obtain a mortgage or manipulate mortgage terms.
Rental Scams: Deceptive practices related to renting property or housing.
Hidden Assets in Divorce: One partner hiding assets to influence divorce settlements.
Unauthorized Crowdfunding: Using false stories or causes to raise money through crowdfunding platforms.
Bait-and-Switch Tactics: Advertising a product at a low price to attract customers, then pushing a higher-priced product or service.
Awareness and education are essential in identifying and preventing material and financial abuse. It’s crucial for individuals to safeguard their assets, regularly monitor their financial transactions, and be cautious when sharing personal financial information.