"I'd rather die of shame": The shocking methods of exploiting the elderly are revealed - and how to protect yourself
An investigative report exposes methods of financial exploitation of the elderly in Israel: impersonating grandchildren, fraudulent loans, convincing them to sell apartments. The story of Irina Ponomaryov, 76, who discovered a car was purchased in her name with a loan of 100,000 shekels, and of an elderly woman who was convinced to sell her home for acupuncture treatments, are presented. The article includes guidelines for self-defense.
An investigative report by ynet exposes the industry of scammers targeting the elderly in Israel, presenting various methods of exploitation. It tells the story of Irina Ponomaryov, 76, from Be'er Sheva, who discovered that a car was purchased in her name using a loan of 100,000 shekels that she never took, even though she does not have a driver's license. Fines began arriving from Highway 6, the Carmel Tunnels, and the Rishon LeZion municipality, and her National Insurance allowance was reduced due to the car registration. Attorney Yana Abramov from the Legal Aid represents her in a lawsuit to cancel the loan. Another story describes an elderly woman who was convinced by an acupuncture therapist to sell her home and transfer the funds under the threat that if she did not purchase 'golden needles' she would die. The elderly woman was left without a roof over her head and without money for medication. Another case describes an impersonation of a grandson in a phone call lasting 52 minutes, at the end of which an elderly woman from Nof HaGalil gave 50,000 shekels to a courier. The article notes that the line between financial exploitation and fraud is blurred, and that sometimes caregivers or family members exploit existing dependency. Attorney Abramov calls on regulated bodies such as banks to tighten control mechanisms in money transfers of the elderly.