The perpetrator (whether an "opportunist" or "predator") first recognizes that the elderly person is impaired and vulnerable. This observation may be based on the older person’s physical and/or mental deficiencies in vision, memory, speech, hearing, or mobility.
 

The perpetrator next secures the victim’s trust and confidence by being friendly, considerate, and helpful. (If there has been a long-standing relationship between the parties, this trust may already be present.)
 

As the victim grows to place their trust and confidence in the perpetrator, the perpetrator begins to isolate the victim from contact with other people (friends, relatives, attorney, clergy, etc.) who may have been helpers in the past, or whose influence might interfere with that of the perpetrator.
 

In the more obvious cases, phone calls are screened, mail is checked, and attempts by others to visit the victim are discouraged or conducted only in the presence of the perpetrator.

Purposeful isolation of the victim is frequently the best indicator of undue influence. Oftentimes the victim is already living alone and generally removed from contact with outsiders, due either to physical limitations or a psychological fear of leaving the confines of home, and the perpetrator further reinforces their isolation.
 

The perpetrator can create a warped sense of reality in which the victim learns to regard all others with fear and mistrust. For example, the perpetrator will convince the victim that everyone else is interested only in selling their home, taking their money, and then dumping them in a nursing home.
 

Gradually the victim transfers all of their affection to the perpetrator. The victim will even lie about their condition to keep away family, friends, the police, or an investigator from the Area Agency on Aging's Protective Service Program.
 

At this stage perpetrators will begin to manipulate the victim through acts of intimidation and threats, e.g., withholding food or medicine, or ceasing any further contact, unless the victim agrees to deed over their home or execute a new will that benefits the perpetrator.
 

The victim’s long-time attorney and other advisors may be replaced at this point by unscrupulous or naive professionals who are chosen by the perpetrator to change the victim’s estate plan to benefit the perpetrator.
 

As a result of these factors, the victim winds up giving the perpetrator access to or control over their bank accounts, investments, and other assets, and making substantial "gifts" to the perpetrator and/or members of the perpetrator’s family.

Placing the perpetrator’s name on bank accounts as agent, trustee, or co-owner with right of survivorship.
 

Transfer of funds to new accounts at banks with which the victim has had no prior connection, and frequent transfers of funds among several accounts.
 

Checks in large amounts or on frequent occasions being paid to persons who have had no prior connection to the victim, especially if they are related to or associated with the perpetrator.
 

Frequent withdrawals being made through ATMs, especially if victim is physically frail and has not previously used an ATM.
 

Suspicious signatures appearing on checks or credit card applications.
 

Bank statements and canceled checks no longer being sent to the victim’s home address.