Protect elderly clients from scams

By Staff | August 29, 2014 | Last updated on August 29, 2014
1 min read

When an elderly client of Wells Fargo Advisors in California participated in a scam operation, Wells Fargo tried to stand in his way.

Financial-planning.com reports that an 81-year-old client of the firm believed he had won $5 million in a lottery, and paid thousands in false tax to the operation.

Then, he went to Wells Fargo to withdraw more. But the firm refused to release the money because it knew the client was being robbed.

To reinforce its position, the firm asked a doctor and a lawyer to conduct a mental capacity assessment. Those professionals determined the client was of sound mind, putting the firm in a legal bind. Read the story here.

Read: Protect philanthropic clients

As baby boomers age, mental capacity will become a growing issue for advisors, so be prepared. Read:

When capacity’s in question, what can you tell the kids?

Preventing POA abuses

Help a difficult, elderly client

How to discuss POA for personal care

Advisor.ca staff

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.