Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Canada. Here's how adult children can recognize the warning signs and take legal steps to protect a parent in BC.
Financial abuse of older adults is far more common than most families expect — and far more often committed by someone the person trusts than by a stranger. In BC, adult children, grandchildren, caregivers, and new romantic partners are among the most frequent perpetrators. If you're worried about a parent, knowing what to look for and what you can do is the first step.
What Counts as Elder Financial Abuse
Financial abuse includes a wide range of harmful conduct: taking money or property without consent, pressuring someone to change their will or power of attorney, using a power of attorney beyond its intended scope, forging signatures, preventing access to banking, and charging excessive "rent" or "care fees" while living in a parent's home. Even subtler conduct — like isolating a parent from other family members to gain influence over their decisions — can be part of a financial abuse pattern.
In BC, this can give rise to both civil legal remedies and, in serious cases, criminal charges.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Some signs are obvious; others are easy to miss. Watch for:
- Unexplained withdrawals or transfers from bank accounts
- Bills going unpaid despite an adequate pension or savings
- A new person (friend, caregiver, romantic partner) who suddenly has significant influence over your parent
- Changes to the will, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations that your parent can't clearly explain
- Your parent seeming confused, frightened, or secretive about money
- Missing valuables, jewellery, or cash from the home
- A power of attorney being used in ways that seem to benefit the attorney more than your parent
If something feels wrong, trust that instinct and investigate.
Steps You Can Take
*Talk to your parent privately.* Gently ask how things are going financially without accusation. If the suspected abuser is always present, it may be difficult — but try to find a moment alone. A medical appointment, a casual visit while the other person is out.
*Contact the bank.* Banks in BC have policies for elder financial abuse. If you have concerns, speak to a branch manager or the bank's elder financial abuse team. Banks can flag accounts, add alerts, or in serious cases, freeze transactions. You do not need a court order for an initial conversation.
*Contact BC's Seniors Advocate.* The Office of the Seniors Advocate provides information and can refer cases involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older adults.
*Report to Adult Protection.* Under BC's *Adult Guardianship Act*, Community Living BC and regional health authorities have "designated agencies" that investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or self-neglect of adults who need support. You can make a report if you believe your parent is being harmed.
*Contact police.* If money has been stolen or fraud has occurred, that's a criminal matter. Report it to the RCMP or your local police department.
Legal Remedies
If financial abuse has already occurred, a lawyer can help you pursue several options:
- Passing of accounts — if a power of attorney is in place, you can apply to the BC Supreme Court to have the attorney required to account for every financial decision they've made.
- Setting aside documents — a will, power of attorney, or transfer of property made under undue influence or without capacity can be challenged in court.
- Injunctions — to freeze assets or prevent further transfers while a case is resolved.
- Civil claims — for recovery of funds taken improperly, including from family members.
BC's Wills, Estates and Succession Act (WESA) also allows certain family members to challenge a will that was made under undue influence.
If Your Parent Has an Existing Power of Attorney
A power of attorney gives enormous authority to the named person (the "attorney"). If you suspect the attorney is misusing that authority, you can apply to the BC Supreme Court for an order requiring them to account for how they've used it. If the attorney has acted improperly, the court can order repayment, remove the attorney, or appoint someone else.
If your parent no longer has capacity and the situation is urgent, you may need to apply for a committee order to have a trustworthy person appointed to manage their affairs.
Acting Quickly Matters
Financial abuse cases often involve money that moves quickly — transfers, gifts, property sales. Once funds are gone, recovery can be difficult. If you have concerns, consult a lawyer early rather than waiting to be certain. Many lawyers offer a free initial intake call to assess whether and how to proceed.
It includes any unauthorized taking or misuse of an older adult's money, property, or financial decisions — including theft, fraud, undue influence over a will or power of attorney, forging signatures, or pressuring someone into financial decisions they wouldn't otherwise make.
Contrary to common assumptions, elder financial abuse is most often committed by people the older adult knows and trusts — family members, caregivers, neighbours, or new romantic partners. Strangers and scammers account for a smaller portion of cases.
Yes. You can apply to the BC Supreme Court for a passing of accounts, which requires the attorney to justify every financial decision they've made. If misuse is found, the court can order repayment, remove the attorney, and appoint a replacement.
Act quickly. Contact the bank to alert them, reach out to BC's Seniors Advocate or Adult Protection services, and consult a lawyer. If money has been stolen, report it to police. The sooner you act, the better the chance of preventing further harm and recovering funds.