http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-woman-s-story-highlights-dangers-of-12427968.php
Albany woman's story highlights seniors' financial abuse dangers
Updated 3:49 pm, Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Eleven years ago, Janice Rowell was a woman with a propensity for numbers, holding down two jobs. She lost that after a stroke robbed her of much of her cognitive and physical abilities.
Eventually rehab, therapy and hard work allowed her to regain enough of her previous abilities to live on her own at a senior living complex in Albany with the help of home care aides.
Eighteen months ago, a new aide came in to her life and allegedly took advantage of her, assuming her identity and draining her bank account, family and police said.
On Tuesday, Albany police arrested Margaret Frazier, 55, of Albany. She is charged with identity theft and grand larceny. Police say Frazier stole nearly $14,000 from Rowell through a combination of credit card theft and withdrawals from her checking account.
“She had so much power,” Rowell’s sister, Samantha Rowell, said.
Rowell’s is a cautionary tale. It highlights the potential danger for people who require home health care. One in nine seniors reported being abused or neglected in the past year and approximately one in 20 older adults have suffered some sort of financial mistreatment in the recent past, according to the state AARP.
Laura Ehrich, Associate State Director with AARP New York, said seniors and family members need to have on-going conversations on financial fraud.
“Workers should not have access to information about your finances,” she said.
Instead, she recommended that seniors should check with the agency about payment and not hesitate to reach out to their home care agency if the worker isn’t doing what they’re paid to do.
The purchases on Janice Rowell’s accounts varied. Samantha Rowell says records show Frazier allegedly bought a washer-and-dryer set, a $200 pair of shoes, phones and other items at three different Walmarts from January 2016 until the first week of November.
Rowell said Frazier even had her husband come and paint Rowell’s apartment, and then charged her for the paint. The thefts may have stretched back even further than police think, she said.
“That woman just took advantage of her and used her position,” she said.
When Frazier realized she had been caught she allegedly tried to repay some of what she had taken, Samantha Rowell said. The sisters refused and contacted police.
Between thefts, Frazier was working to drive a wedge between her and her sister, Samantha Rowell said. The discovery of the theft shocked her.
“How bad is it that someone would be that malicious,” she said.
There are steps seniors can take to prevent these types of thefts, Ehrich said.
Seniors should make a financial plan and protect their identity by shredding papers with personal identifying information on them, she said. They should also lock up their checkbooks and bank statements. Another good idea is to ask for help when making complicated financial decisions and monitor credit scores at least one a year. Finally avoid making cash purchases, using a check or card creates a paper trail and may offer additional protections.
“Treat your personal information, like your Social Security Number, like it’s a valuable commodity,” she said. “Don’t give it away unless you have a very good reason to.”
Frazier is represented by the Albany County Public Defenders office. They could not immediately be reached Wednesday.
