by Attorney General Mike Cox

Did you know that as many as five million seniors - someone's mom or dad, aunt or uncle - fall victim to financial abuse each year? And did you also know that 60 to 90% of the perpetrators of financial abuse of seniors are family members or caregivers?

These are the reasons why my office initiated Project SCAMS - Stop Crimes Against Michigan Seniors. The premise is simple: a significant number of residents of Michigan nursing homes are behind on their payments because their monies have either been embezzled or misappropriated.

To root out this problem of financial abuse against seniors, we partnered with the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration, as well as the U.S. Department of Treasury, AARP, the Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and the Health Care Association of Michigan.

Michigan has 420 nursing homes with a population of approximately 40,000 residents. Our goal is to cover every nursing home in the state. The initial phase of Project SCAMS targeted West Michigan, Northwest Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. What we found was shocking:

• One son stole more than $20,000, some of which was used to purchase firearms and lease hunting land;
• A daughter did not make payments to the nursing home in which her parent lived, incurring over a $2,200 arrearage. Staff at the nursing home had to buy the resident shoes, provide spending money for outings;
• Another son stole over $1,600 to pay for gambling habits;
• A resident's daughter stole over $2,000. She had four prior financial felony convictions.

As a result, my office has brought charges against 22 individuals for allegedly stealing money that belongs to seniors. Incredibly, in each case, the accused is a relative of the victim.

The sad truth is that financial exploitation of seniors is one of the fastest growing crimes in America. And the problem is compounded by the fact that only one in 100 instances of victimization is typically reported.

Project SCAMS is especially important because Michigan is an aging state: In two years, Michigan will have more than 1.3 million residents aged 65 and older. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Michigan's senior population will almost double between now and 2030.

If someone you love is cared for in one of Michigan's nursing homes, here are some tips: 1. Visit frequently, at different times of the day. Don't be predictable. 2. Ask questions. And not just of your mom, dad, aunt or uncle, but also ask questions of the staff. If you suspect that a senior (or vulnerable adult) who resides in a residential care facility is being financially exploited, please call our hotline number: 800-24-ABUSE (800-242-2873).

I am proud of the countless examples of cooperation I have enjoyed with Michigan's police officers over the years. Project SCAMS is another important project we can advance together to ensure the safety of Michigan citizens.

Seniors have paid their dues, literally and figuratively, and they are entitled to dignity, respect and peace of mind.

Just like all Michigan citizens, POAM members care deeply for their loved ones who are residents of a nursing home. Despite the various professional and personal demands, the welfare of fathers, mothers, aunts and grandparents is a top priority for all of us. I hope you will join with me in supporting Project SCAMS.