Elder Abuse
What is one common sign of elder financial abuse?
Sudden, unexplained withdrawals or transfers.
What is a common method fraudsters use to take over accounts?
Phishing emails or texts asking for login credentials.
What is business identity theft?
When fraudsters impersonate a real business to open accounts or steal funds.
What is a romance scam?
When a fraudster pretends to be in a relationship to gain a victim’s trust and money.
What is the primary tactic bank impersonators use?
Pretending to be the bank to get customer information.
Who often commits elder financial abuse?
Someone the victim trusts — family, caregivers, or acquaintances.
What’s the quickest way to verify a customer calling by phone?
Ask required authentication questions (PIN, security questions, etc.).
What document is commonly used to verify a business’s identity?
IN (Employer Identification Number) documentation.
Which platform is commonly used for romance scams?
Social media or dating apps.
What communication method is often spoofed?
Phone numbers or text messages appearing from the bank.
What should you do if an elderly customer seems confused about a large transaction?
slow down, ask clarifying questions, and follow bank procedures for suspected exploitation.
What should you do if someone seems unsure about their own account details?
Stop the transaction and re-verify their identity.
What’s a basic sign a business account request might be fraudulent?
The “owner” provides inconsistent or mismatched documents.
What’s a common request scam victims receive?
Sending money or gift cards to “help” the scammer
What should customers never give out if they receive an unexpected call?
One-time passcodes (OTP) or full account numbers.
What is the recommended bank action if an elderly customer insists on completing a suspicious transaction but appears coached or fearful?
Escalate to management, file an internal report, and consider placing a temporary hold if permitted by state law or bank policy.
What is the strongest red flag that an in-person customer may be impersonating the true account holder?
The customer presents valid-looking ID but can’t answer personal questions a real account holder would know (recent transactions, recurring payments, etc.).
What advanced warning sign suggests a business certificate or filing may be fake?
Recently created or amended state filings that don’t match the business’s historical information.
What is a high-level indicator that the customer is in a romance scam even if they deny it?
They cannot clearly explain the relationship history, have never met the person, or give vague/contradictory details.
What’s a technical technique criminals use to make their call appear as if it’s coming from the real bank?
Caller ID spoofing using VoIP or spoofing software.
What subtle behavioral red flag suggests undue influence even when the transaction appears legitimate?
A new “helper” answering for the customer, controlling their ID or documents, or refusing to let the customer speak independently.
What is a sophisticated method criminals use to bypass standard verification during takeover attempts?
SIM-swapping to intercept one-time passcodes, then combining stolen PII with spoofed caller ID to appear legitimate.
What’s a sophisticated method fraudsters use to take over a business identity long-term?
Filing fraudulent Secretary of State amendments (changing officers, address, or registered agent) before attempting account access.
What complex pattern do romance scammers use to avoid detection by the bank?
Layered money movement (multiple small transactions, crypto conversions, money mules) to disguise funds and avoid fraud monitoring triggers.
What’s the most advanced indicator that a customer is interacting with a bank impersonator?
The fraudster already knows partial account details and uses urgent “security alert” language to socially engineer the customer into confirming or completing actions that compromise the account.