The Illinois Department on Aging hosted a summit to strengthen ways state and federal agencies work together with financial institutions to protect against financial exploitation of older adults.  This third annual “Summit on the Prevention of Elder Financial Fraud and Abuse” is part of the Adult Protective Services conference IDoA hosts each year.  State law requires employees of financial institutions who have direct contact with customers to undergo training to identify the indicators of financial exploitation, as well as how to report exploitation.  The featured speaker was Terry Savage, author and nationally recognized expert on personal finance, the economy and the markets.  Financial exploitation is the most commonly reported form of abuse against older adults.  There are warning signs of financial exploitation and older adults should be suspicious of someone who obtains access to checks written to you, your personal accounts or ATM card, or someone who charges excessive rent or fees for basic services, or even someone who coerces you into signing checks/personal asset documents by force, manipulation, intimidation or threat.  It could also be someone who fraudulently uses a power of attorney/fiduciary authority to alter your will, obtain access to your assets, or indicates he/she will stop providing care unless you give him/her more money or assets.  They may even steal money or assets from you.  Anyone who suspects an older adult is being mistreated should call the Illinois Department on Aging 24 hour Adult Protective Services Hotline at 1-866-800-1409.