Bank and Financial Managers are now required to report any suspected signs of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of their vulnerable adult customers who are in need of protective services, according to an amended District law under the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) Adult Protective Services program, which went into effect on March 13, 2006.
The law previously required only advocates, guardian, health-care administrators, licensed health professionals, police officers, and social workers to report suspicions of abuse. The law was amended in 2005 to include bank managers and financial managers in an effort to promote awareness of abuse and reduce the financial exploitation of the District’s most vulnerable adults.
An adult in need of protective services is an individual 18 years of age or older who:
- Is highly vulnerable to abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation because of a physical
or mental impairment, self-neglect, or incapacity;
- Has recently been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited by another or meets the
criteria for self-neglect; and
- Has no one willing and able to provide adequate protection.
“We need bankers and financial managers to know that if they suspect abuse, neglect, or
exploitation of vulnerable adults they are now required to make a report to Adult Protective Services,” said Barbara Strother, Chief of Adult Protective Services. “Once we receive a report, we can conduct an investigation and try to remediate risk if the allegation is substantiated.”
Each report should include, if known: The name, age, physical description, and location of the adult alleged to be in need of protective services; the name and location of the person(s) allegedly responsible for the abuse, neglect, or exploitation; the nature and extent of the abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation; the basis of the reporter's knowledge; and any other information the reporter believes might be helpful to an investigation.
DHS Adult Protective Services has the capacity to take reports of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reports are investigated and if the allegations are substantiated, services are provided to reduce risk and protect the vulnerable adult. APS will work collaboratively with the reporting bank or financial institution to help vulnerable adults protect their assets and income and establish a safe long term plan. Reports and inquiries can be made to Adult Protective Services (APS) by calling the APS Hotline at (202) 541-3950.
“Too many of our residents are abused or have been victims of financial misconduct by people they must rely upon and trust,” said Department of Human Services Interim Director Kate Jesberg. “By involving as many professionals who do business with these residents in the reporting process, we can help protect them.”