Elder Abuse Awareness Month

Every year, the world sheds light on a pressing issue through Elder Abuse Awareness Month. This month-long campaign highlights the serious problem of elder abuse, with particular emphasis on its prevention. Elder abuse, which involves physical, emotional, and financial exploitation, is a multifaceted problem that requires our attention and action. Join us as we dive into the intricacies of elder abuse, stress the importance of awareness, and outline ways to support victims. By understanding the signs and risk factors, we can contribute to mitigating this pervasive problem.

Understanding Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is a worldwide issue that affects countless older adults. It is any deliberate act or neglect that causes harm or distress to an elderly person. Physical abuse involves force that causes pain or injury. Emotional abuse includes behaviors that cause emotional distress, such as threats or isolation. Financial exploitation, another common form, involves elder financial scams for personal gain, including theft and coercion. Neglect, meanwhile, involves failing to meet an elder’s basic needs, like food, shelter, or healthcare. As part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, we aim to shed light on such abuse in the elderly.

Early detection of elder abuse is crucial for intervention and protection. Physical signs might include unexplained injuries, while emotional signs could manifest as anxiety or withdrawal. Financial signs could involve sudden changes in financial status, often a result of elder scams. Signs of neglect can be poor hygiene or untreated health conditions.

Raising awareness about elder abuse and advocating for prevention strategies is critical. Through education, we can collectively work to safeguard our elderly and foster a safer environment for them.

Types of Elder Scams

Grandparent Scam: Exploiting the love and concern of grandparents, scammers pose as distressed grandchildren in need of urgent financial assistance. These are the signs you should look out for:

The caller claims to be a grandchild in distress but doesn’t know specific family details.
Urgency to send money quickly without verifying the situation.
Requests to keep the situation a secret from other family members.

Romance Scams: Predators establish fake romantic relationships with older individuals online, manipulating them emotionally and financially. These are the signs you should look out for:

Unwillingness to meet in person or provide verifiable information about themselves.
Quick declarations of love or affection.
Requests for money for various reasons, such as medical emergencies or travel expenses.

Tech Support Scams: Scammers pose as tech support representatives, claiming the elder’s computer has issues and tricking them into paying for unnecessary services or providing access to their computer. These are the signs you should look out for:

Unsolicited calls or pop-up messages claiming to be from tech support.
Pressure to act quickly, claiming the computer is infected with viruses or malware.
Requests for remote access to the computer or payment for unnecessary services.

Investment Scams: Fraudsters offer fake investment opportunities promising high returns with low risk, convincing elders to invest their savings before disappearing with the money. These are the signs you should look out for:

Promises of unusually high returns with little or no risk.
Pressure to invest immediately or to keep the investment a secret.
Lack of documentation or refusal to provide detailed information about the investment

Healthcare Scams: Scammers impersonate Medicare representatives or sell fake health products, exploiting fears about health and medical costs to steal personal information or money. These are the signs you should look out for:

Unsolicited offers for free medical equipment, tests, or treatments.
Requests for personal information such as Medicare or insurance details.
High-pressure sales tactics or promises of miracle cures.

Supporting Victims of Elder Abuse

During Elder Abuse Awareness Month, it’s crucial to understand how we can support victims and make a difference. Here are some areas to focus on:

Reporting elder abuse: If you suspect abuse of elderly, report it to local adult protective services or law enforcement. Remember, reporting can protect the victim and prevent further abuse.
Resources for victims: Numerous organizations and hotlines provide support and assistance to victims, offering confidential helplines, counseling, and legal information. Organizations like the National Center on Elder Abuse and the National Domestic Violence Hotline can provide invaluable support.
Legal protections: Laws have been enacted to protect victims of elder abuse, including restraining orders and financial restitution. Consult with an elder law professional to understand the specific legal protections in your area.

Knowing how to report elder abuse, linking victims with the right resources, and ensuring they are aware of their legal rights are crucial in supporting elder abuse victims. Together, let’s raise awareness and strive for a safer society for our seniors during Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

Elder abuse often remains hidden and underreported, making it essential to promote community vigilance and education. By enhancing awareness, we can empower individuals to recognize signs of abuse of the elderly and take appropriate action. This involves educating all stakeholders, including family, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and the public.

At Zing, we are committed to raising awareness about abuse in the elderly and providing resources for its prevention. Our offerings are designed to enhance the safety and well-being of older adults, ensuring they can live with dignity and respect.

Truth In Savings Disclosure

TRUTH IN SAVINGS DISCLOSURE

Except as specifically described, the following disclosures apply to all the accounts.

Rate Information. The dividend rate, or interest rate, and annual percentage yield on your accounts are set forth on the reverse side. The annual percentage yield is a percentage rate that reflects the total amount of dividends/interest to be paid on an account based on the dividend/interest rate and frequency of compounding for an annual period. For Certificates of Deposit and IRA Certificates of Deposit, the interest rate and annual percentage yield are fixed and will be in effect for the term of the account. The annual percentage yield is based on an assumption that interest will remain on deposit until maturity. A withdrawal will reduce earnings.
Nature of Dividends. Dividends are paid from current income and available earnings after providing for the required reserves. The dividend rates and annual percentage yields are the prospective rates and yields that the Credit Union anticipates paying for the applicable dividend period.
Compounding and Crediting. Interest and dividends will be compounded and credited as set forth on the reverse side. The dividend/interest period for each account is also set forth on our Rate and Fee Schedule. The dividend/interest period begins on the first calendar day of the period and ends on the last calendar day of the period.
Balance Information. The minimum balance required to open each account is set forth. Interest is calculated by the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the principal in the account each day.
Accrual of Dividends. Dividends will begin to accrue on cash deposits on the business day you make the deposit to your account. Dividends will begin to accrue on noncash deposits (checks) on the business day you make the deposit to your account. If you close your account before accrued dividends are credited, accrued dividends will not be paid.
Account Limitations. The account limitations for each account are set forth in our Membership and Account Agreement
Your account will mature on the maturity date set forth on your account receipt or renewal notice.
Early Withdrawal Penalties. A penalty may be imposed if you withdraw any of the certificate funds before the maturity date or the renewal date, if this is a renewal account.
Amount of Penalty. For Certificates of Deposit and IRA Certificates of Deposit the amount of the early withdrawal penalty for your account is 90 days’ interest for a term of 12 months or less, and 180 days’ interest for a term over 12 months.
How the Penalty Works. The penalty is calculated as a forfeiture of part or all of the interest that have been earned on the account. This penalty applies to earned interest and principal.
Renewal Policy. Certificate of Deposit accounts will automatically renew for another term upon maturity. You have a grace period of seven days in which to change or withdraw the funds without being charged an early withdrawal penalty.
Exception to Early Withdrawal Penalties. At our option, we may redeem the account before maturity without imposing an early withdrawal penalty under the following circumstances:
- When an account owner dies
- or is determined legally incompetent by a court
- or other body of competent jurisdiction.
Nontransferable / Nonnegotiable. Your account is nontransferable and nonnegotiable. The funds in your account may not be pledged to secure any obligation of an owner except obligations with the Credit Union.
FEES FOR OVERDRAWN ACCOUNTS. Fees may be imposed on each check, draft item, ATM card withdrawal, debit card withdrawal, debit card point of purchase, preauthorized automatic debit, telephone initiated withdrawal or any other electronic withdrawal or transfer transaction that is drawn on an insufficient available account balance. The entire balance in your account may not be available for withdrawal, transfer or payment of a check, draft or item. You may consult the Funds Availability Policy for information regarding the availability of funds in your account. Fees for overdrawing your account may be imposed for each overdraft, item or transaction. If we have approved an overdraft protection limit for your account, such fees may reduce your approval limit. Please refer to the Rate and Fee Schedule for current fee information.

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Preferred Checking

Clear Card

Second Chance Checking

Minimum Opening Balance

Suggested opening amount- $25

ID Safe Choice Charge Possible

Yes

Direct Deposit

Accepted and encouraged

Dividends Paid

Privilege Pay

Available after 90 days

Overdraft LOC

Available immediately, with approved credit

ATM/Debit Card

Instant Issue

Shared Branching

Available

Free Bill Payer