Beware of Marriage Scams
If you have an elderly loved one that is newly involved with a significantly younger partner, this may arouse some suspicion. Do not ignore these feelings; it is not uncommon for individuals to prey on vulnerable elderly people in order to gain access to their finances or personal assets. As much as it is difficult to believe anyone would want to manipulate your loved one in this manner, it is important to address this issue and ensure their safety as well as financial security. A way to do this is to look for warning signs, which come in a variety of different forms.
First off, look out for an individual that seems too interested too quickly, especially if your loved one met this person online. If you think they are acting a little too eager, advise your loved one to let their relationship develop slowly and not to rush into anything. If they don’t listen to your concerns and express a desire to marry or get engaged to this individual after only a brief amount of time, insist that they at least have their partner sign a prenuptial agreement. This may help prevent the younger partner from taking a large portion of your loved ones assets and leaving them in a financially desolate situation.
Another warning sign is any form of deceptive behavior or perceived feigning of emotions. Although you may think it will be easy for your older loved one to recognize that their potential life partner is not being genuine, they may not always see the same signs that you do. The risk of them not realizing their partner’s true intentions is increased if they have memory problems or any debilitating disorders, as these can affect their ability to think clearly. If you believe that your loved one’s partner is hiding their true intentions, express this clearly to your loved one. If they don’t listen, talk to other family members or trusted friends of theirs who may be able to get the point across. If you need to further convince your loved one, you can research their partner online and look for anything that demonstrates a questionable pattern of behavior. If you present them with findings that support your argument, it will make your points more difficult to refute.
Marrying for money is a form of elder exploitation, and can be extremely detrimental to individuals that fall victim to it. To help stop this form of elder abuse, recognize the signs and know what to look for.
