EP: 214 - Protecting Your Money: How to Stop Financial Exploitation

This Is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World Podcast with Dr. MELISSA BATCHELOR

In this episode, I speak with Cameron Huddleston, a financial expert specializing in protecting older adults from financial exploitation. Cameron explains the two primary types of financial abuse—scams from strangers and exploitation by people the victim knows—and discusses how quickly financial abuse can happen, particularly in caregiving situations. She offers practical advice for families transitioning a loved one into assisted living, such as removing financial documents, limiting access to money, and automating bill payments to reduce the risk of exploitation.

We also talk about how to approach the sensitive topic of financial planning with aging parents, focusing on empowering them to remain in control while setting up safeguards like powers of attorney and estate planning documents. Cameron shares resources available on her website, including an emergency organizer and scam red flag sheet, along with information about her book Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk, which provides more tips on navigating these important conversations and protecting loved ones' finances.