The clerk in the home furnishing store was able to identify the perpetrator. Senior citizens represent 12 per cent of the U.S. population, but are 35 per cent of all fraud victims. A desire to be helpful or charitable opens the door to those who wish to fraudulently tug at the heart strings. A generation with more trust of others provides opportunity to abuse that trust. Loneliness makes a senior more willing to talk with a friendly stranger.
Seniors tend to be home when the con artists wish to stalk their prey.
Some seniors have lost a degree of physical or mental acuity making them even more vulnerable. A senior may have developed a dependency on a dishonest caregiver and see no way out of a bad situation. Statistics are showing a significant increase in the exploitation of seniors by caregivers. Mabel had a live-in caregiver for years. Because Mable lived far away, her family was grateful for the help that Mabel's caregiver provided.