Age Concern: Stolen cheques are abuse of elders

Age Concern said older people should use caution before handing out money to family members.

An Awanui grandmother wants others to be aware that family members can steal, after losing $400 to her teenage granddaughter.

The 83-year-old woman, who does not want to be named, was visited by her granddaughter during the school holidays. The teenager stole a chequebook and cashed in at least $400 worth of cheques before the chequebook was stopped by the bank.

The grandmother said that she wanted to speak up to warn others.

"It makes me so mad. Young people are just taking advantage of other people who are used to just letting them into their home as part of the family," she said.

"I just want to warn people that you can't trust even your own family members."

Family members taking money is common throughout Northland, said Julie Moebus, manager of Age Concern Kaitaia and District.

Age Concern, which has the contract for elder abuse response services for all of Northland, sees a lot of older people who have had money stolen by family members.

"We get a lot of that sort of thing happening. If people come to us, we can help them."
Ms Moebus said older people were often taken advantage of if they depended on help.

"The granddaughter or daughter would say 'we'll get your groceries for you' and then they also get a whole lot of groceries for themselves and mum doesn't realise," she said.

Age Concern recommends older people protect their cash, chequebooks and cashflow cards from everyone. They should never give out the PIN for their cashflow card or credit card, Ms moebus said.

"If you give your PIN out to other people, you're not allowed to do that. You take some responsibility," she said.

Ms Moebus suggested people who rely on help with shopping set up separate card with a limit for their family members.

"That way, it is traceable," she said.

Ms Moebus said another concern was older people who are coerced into giving their children or grandchildren money.

"A lot of elderly people feel that they have to look after the young ones."

Age Concern provides support for older people working through a grievance, including with family members, she said.