Our seniors are often the most vulnerable population to fall victim to scams.
On this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, one BC senior is speaking out about how she lost over $60,000 in an online romance scam, and warning others from falling.
After Sharon Blakeborough’s separation from her husband, she was happy to form a new connection online
“He was really nice to me, he was sweet, kind, tender and told me he had a son and he was in the army as a doctor,” said Sharon Blakeborough.
But it didn’t take long for the man, who presented himself as David Thompson, began asking Blakeborough to send him money. Each demand came with a different excuse and a greater sum.
“$2000 here, $2000 there, $1500, $3000 – I borrowed $5000 from the bank to send him money. I borrowed from other people.”
She sent him over $60,000 over a year and half. Despite warnings from her family, Blakeborough refused to believe she was being scammed. Until she sent him thousands to come visit her in Hope and he never showed up. Her broken heart led to a heart attack.
“I thought I loved him. I felt like a total idiot, like why am I doing this? I cried so hard so many times. So stressed. I could hardly breathe.”
Blakeborough is just one of thousands of victims who reported elder abuse in B.C.
While financial abuse is most common, it can also come in the form of physical or psychological abuse, mistreatment and neglect it may be perpetrated by those closest to the victim, including family members, friends, neighbours and caregivers.
“Using an older adult’s money or shelter for their own purposes, abusing their power of attorney…people make the older adult doubt, can be pressuring them to see them,” said Marie-Noel Campbell, executive director, Seniors First BC.
Seniors First BC says their seniors abuse information line, or SAIL, has been seeing a steady increase in calls. The troubling trend could be due to an ageing population and scams becoming more sophisticated.
“But it’s really that emotional attachment that can be difficult to discuss with other people, there are feelings of shame. Early detection, talking to someone they trust is so important,” said Campbell.
As Blakeborough recovers from financial debt and rebuilds trust, she has a message out to others who might be falling for a similar scheme.
“Block them. Because they’re not looking out for your health, they’re looking out for our money.”