We are hearing more and more cases of money being stolen directly from a senior citizen's bank account, often from someone in charge of their care.
Twenty-six-year-old Niya Hill of Westwood made her first court appearance Tuesday after being charged with stealing $4,000 from residents inside the Tehan House group home where she worked in Green Township.
What extra precautions can you take to protect your loved ones?
Pro Seniors says there are basic safeguards relatives can put in place to protect an elderly family member.
"Protect your blank checks. Don't leave them out. Don't leave your bank statements laying around, especially if you have home healthcare providers coming in," explained Pro Seniors attorney, Miriam Sheline.
Certified Public Accountant, William Hesch, says another option is to talk to your loved one about having your name added to their checking account.
"Number one, if you can get a joint checking account so that if you have two signatures on it, that really provides a level of control," Hesch said.
There's also a misconception that if you have a relative placed in a nursing home, then you must sign-over Medicaid or other state benefits to the group home.
However, Hesch and Pro Seniors say you can manage their finances or establish a trust account.
"You can go to a bank and the bank can set-up a custodial account. The custodial account can be set-up so that the bank collects income, pays the bills. If the parent needs money, they'll send them a check or make arrangements with a debit card that they can have access to cash or pay bills or go out and shop," Hesch explained.
If money is stolen, the bank may reimburse the victim, but you must file a police report, even if the suspect is a relative.
"If someone in the family is stealing from you, you have to take it upon yourself, do I want to recover my money or do I want to put my family member in jail. So it is kind of a balancing act, because we in law enforcement, we will go after them," said Detective Stewart Isaacs of the Cincinnati Police Department.
Experts say family members need to become more aware and vigilant about their parents finances. That may mean checking their bank account statements daily online or at the end of each month.
" If you can't do a joint account, then work with the bank and work with the online banking and monitor that. I've had clients where the parents don't want them involved at all, but they're willing to let them go online and monitor the account," said Hesch from his Oakley office.
