Mississippi Elder Fraud Statutes

Exploitation in Mississippi is defined as “the illegal or improper use of a vulnerable adult or his resources for another’s profit or advantage, with or without the consent of the vulnerable adult, and includes acts committed pursuant to a power of attorney.”

Obligation to Report

When exploitation of an elderly individual is suspected, a person is required to make a report to the Department of Human Services or to local authorities connected to the department. If made in good faith, the reporter will be immune from any criminal or civil liability. However, if someone makes a false report, he or she could be found liable in a civil suit and be responsible for punitive damages.

Penalties for Elder Financial Fraud

In Mississippi, exploiting an elderly person has two possible penalties. If the value of the assets in question is less than $250, the person is guilt of a misdemeanor, which could mean a fine of up to $5,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to one year. If the value of the assets is $250 or more, this constitutes a felony. The punishment for this is up to 10 years in prison.

What Victims can do

Victims of elder financial fraud should cooperate with local authorities in order to make sure the perpetrator is caught and charged. In addition, they should seek ways to recover any money they might have lost. One of the best first steps is to talk to an experienced elder fraud attorney.

For information and guidance, get in touch with the Silver Law Group. We will do what we can to help you get back lost funds. Contact us by calling 800-975-4345 or by filling out our online form. Our firm works only on contingency. If we aren’t successful in helping you recover money, you won’t owe us a fee.

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