The Pigeon Drop Leaves Victims in Stinky Situations By:  Dorothy Riggs, CFE Last week’s Fraud Sense article was about elder exploitation.  This week I’ll be discussing the Pigeon Drop, where perpetrators largely, but not exclusively, target senior citizens. Another group often targeted by Pigeon Drop con artists is tourists.  Basically, anyone who is assumed to have quick accessibility to cash is a suitable mark. Crooks zone in on older people because they often have their life savings socked away somewhere close by.  Tourists are assumed to also have easy access funds at their fingertips. After all, who travels to world renowned vacation destinations with empty coffers?

Elder Abuse:  Financial Exploitation Served Up by a Trusted Friend By: Dorothy Riggs, CFE Susceptibility Gives Entrance to Maltreatment Among the most unnerving types of fraud cases I’ve investigated is elder exploitation.  It’s gut-wrenching to discover that someone has purposely taken undue advantage of one of our most vulnerable citizens. The elderly have an elevated susceptibility to abuse due to the following details: Many elderly people are often lonely and treasure interaction with and attention from anyone. Elderly people are generally very trusting and generous. A lot of senior citizens are mentally and physically frail. Abusers who use these circumstances to manipulate seniors are businesses, strangers, friendly acquaintances, caretakers, healthcare providers and family members.  YES, family members! At a time when they should be served kindness and compassion many seniors are presented with cruelty and dispassion.  Ill-treatment dished out by