For Immediate Release:
October 27, 2005

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

OFFICIALS UNVEIL NEW MOSAFE INITIATIVE TO STOP FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF ELDERLY AND DISABLED

Missouri officials today unveiled a new initiative designed to prevent a fast-growing crime—financial exploitation of the elderly and disabled. MOSAFE (Missourians Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation) involves Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, Attorney General Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) reaching out to financial institutions in the state to arm their employees with information to prevent financial abuse of their customers. Financial exploitation occurs when someone illegally uses or takes a vulnerable adult's money or property for his or her own profit or gain.

MOSAFE offers a training kit to financial institution employees, including a video to help them and the public spot the warning signs of financial exploitation and take steps to prevent it. The video was developed by DHSS and sponsored by AARP.

According to Julie Eckstein, director of DHSS, the department is concerned about situations it has investigated where the elderly and disabled have been financially exploited. “ The consequences of financial exploitation are devastating for anyone, but the elderly, unlike the young, do not have 15 or 20 more income-earning years to recover,” said Eckstein. “Once an elderly person's home or bank account has been lost or looted, these assets are generally irreplaceable.”

Lt. Gov. Kinder, in his official role as elderly advocate for the state, and Attorney General Nixon, as the state's top law enforcement official, appear in the video. In addition, Kinder plans to visit financial institutions around the state to discuss the issue of financial exploitation and encourage employees to get involved. “I urge each bank or credit union to have a policy letting employees know how to react to this crime,” said Kinder. “Employees can be the first line of defense against this crime because it often occurs in a financial setting when a victim comes in to cash a check or withdraw money.”

The video features real-life cases of financial exploitation portrayed by actors from Jefferson City's Little Theater and DHSS employees. It's shot in Missouri's banks and credit unions. For instance, you'll meet elderly Mrs. Hawkins, who's too confused to understand she's being scammed by her son, Vinnie. Then there's Ted and his girlfriend, Anne. The two steal a blank, signed check from a woman in Anne's care, write in a generous amount and cruise to the local bank for easy cashing. And the cast of characters and heists continue.

“The Missouri Attorney General's office will take legal action against those who prey on seniors and the disabled,” said Attorney General Nixon. “Protecting these vulnerable adults is one of the most important responsibilities of our office.”

In addition to the video, the training kit includes a CD, DVD, brochure, PowerPoint presentation, resource manual and eight articles. The entire project is an offshoot of MOSAFE—Missourians Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation—launched by Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services. DHSS and a host of private and public partners, including financial institutions and law enforcement, hope to stop financial exploitation because it destroys thousands of lives in Missouri and nationwide and costs millions of dollars.

The MOSAFE video is uniquely designed so it can be customized for other states. The video and training kit are free and may be accessed at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/MOSAFE/.