Elder financial abuse
At Heartland we are proud to have helped over 21,000 Australians live a better retirement with our reverse mortgage. We aim to provide customers with peace of mind and have a culture that places significant importance on the duty of care we have for every customer.
One of the ways we do this is to ensure our staff have an awareness of elder financial abuse, including undue influence and unconscionable conduct, and take steps to both detect and prevent its occurrence where possible.
Answers to frequently asked questions
At any time
- Family member or friend attempting to handle all or a majority of communication on behalf of applicant with no authority to do so.
- Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the customer has enough money to pay for them.
- Giving implausible explanations, or appears confused, about what they are doing with their money.
- Customer reluctant to answer questions or avoiding providing information.
- Management of a seemingly competent older person’s finances by another person.
- Signs of misuse of an enduring power of attorney, guardianship or administration order, with control over an older person’s property/financial affairs to the detriment of the older person’s welfare.
- Indicating mail is no longer being delivered to their home.
- Funds only being drawn for gifting to children, without genuine customer desire to do so.
- Another occupier residing in the security taking advantage of a customer.
- Makes transactions they are incapable of completing (i.e. a request whilst in hospital).
- Third parties completing and lodging paperwork on the customer’s behalf without documented authority on file.
- Confusion regarding the application or account, despite clear explanation.
- Loan purpose is not suitable for customer type, or does not meet requirements and objectives.
- Nature of the request and amount requested do not align.
- The customer’s financial documentation is unusual, erratic and inconsistent with customer type.
- Overseas payments or large unusual transactions.
- Withdrawals from a customer’s cash reserve or redraw, that are inconsistent with purpose.
- Withdrawals from a customer’s cash reserve or redraw organised by a person other than the borrower.
- Signatures on documents/cheques not resembling the customer’s signature.
- Customer not understanding or aware of recently completed transactions.
- Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and insurance policies.
- A change in attitude (i.e. fearful, secretive, withdrawn when there was not the tendency to do so previously).
- the customer is unable to sign for themselves;
- the funds are for the benefit of the nominated borrower(s); and
- the order has not been revoked.
Heartland also requires a certified copy of the documentation (or confirmation it has been lodged with the appropriate Land Title Office).
1. Privacy
At all times, privacy procedures are followed. If a child or friend of a customer calls, no information will be released unless there is permission provided (an authority letter, power of attorney, administration or guardianship in place.).
2. Customer discussion
Frontline staff will listen to concerns raised. They will be taken seriously and documented on the lending system.
A supportive and understanding approach which aligns with Heartland’s duty of care is maintained during a red flag investigation.
If there are red flags, and third parties have inserted themselves into the financial transaction without due cause, the customer will be contacted without the third party present for an independent conversation.
3. Escalation
All concerns and suspicions are escalated to management immediately if financial abuse is suspected or confirmed. Heartland may:
- not offer a loan;
- not provide additional funds;
- delay the release of funds until investigations can be made;
- report fraud to the police;
- notify protective agencies (such as the public advocate) if there has been an abuse of power of attorney, or administration/guardianship order;
- speak to any additional account holder(s), attorneys, or signatories;
- request permission to speak to other family members to assist;
- as part of the application, require a medical certificate to confirm capacity of the borrower;
- if there is an immediate fear of safety, contact the police; and/or
- if the customer cannot be contacted directly, request a police welfare visit.
- fear that telling someone about the abuse will lead to losing the relationship, possible retaliation, or further loss of independence;
- be reluctant to believe that someone they trust is exploiting them;
- want the abuse to stop, but protect the abuser from legal repercussions;
- fear they will not be believed, or that reporting the abuse will be pointless;
- furthermore, they may not realise that financial abuse is taking place if information is being withheld from them, or account statements and other mail have been redirected.
It is important when reviewing red flags that questions are asked to determine the customer’s true situation. Depending on the customer’s requirements and objectives, it could be an informed decision that is independent from improper influence.
Conduct is improper when it involves intimidation, deceit, coercion, emotional manipulation, physical or psychological abuse, undue influence, or empty promises.
Elder abuse may not involve malicious intent (i.e. there could be a mistaken sense of entitlement, or a misunderstanding about power of attorney role), but still results in financial harm. It could happen at any time, and by any person, including someone who was previously responsible for assisting the customer and did so correctly.
Financial abuse
If a customer advises of abuse, they will be referred to the national elder abuse phone line for assistance: 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374)
This is a toll-free number to access information on how you can get help, support and referrals.
Memory loss
If a family member or friend believes that the customer is experiencing memory loss or confusion, or the customer has asked for help, they will be referred to Dementia Australia 1800 100 500.
Hardship
If a customer is experiencing financial difficulty, we encourage them to please contact us so that we can try to help.
We may also refer them to the National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007.
Further information on financial assistance can be found on the financial tools page of our website.
Crisis support
If a customer requires crisis or emotional support they are referred to Lifeline’s 24 hour support line 13 11 14.