WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — North Central Health Care is introducing a new team dedicated to protecting seniors and other vulnerable adults from financial scams.
The Financial Abuse Specialist Team, or FA$T, is based on a concept that’s been successful in other areas. “It is a community outreach program [bringing together] law enforcement, financial institutions, DFI, and the District Attorney’s office,” said NCHC Financial Abuse Specialist Jared Clay. “That gives us a [better] grasp of what financial exploitation looks like.”
He says it makes sense to bring those groups together because they will all have a hand in investigating cases if something goes wrong. Banks will report suspected fraud to APS, who will investigate and turn their findings over to law enforcement if charges may be appropriate.
The group also does community outreach through seminars and presentations at local Churches and The Landing at the Woodson YMCA. He says the ultimate goal is to prevent scams before they happen, but they also intervene to prevent further loss when needed.
“We have had cases where people are being defrauded through investment scams, up to $500,000. We may not be able to restore them completely, but we are able to stop the issue and get them a power of attorney appointed through their family,” he said.
Clay says similar programs have been used in Dane County.
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