When Something Doesn’t Feel Right: Protecting Yourself and Loved Ones From Fraud

Most fraud doesn’t start with some obvious scam. It often sneaks in with trust.

Older adults are often targeted not because they’re careless, but because they’re polite, often more trusting, generous, and used to handling things themselves.

Unfortunately, financial exploitation is becoming more common, especially among older adults. But unlike other types of fraud, it doesn’t always involve hackers, fake emails, or strangers on the phone. In many cases, the pressure comes from someone the person knows, trusts, or depends on.

That’s what makes this kind of fraud so hard to spot. It often hides behind familiar faces, emotional appeals, or urgent requests—and it can happen quietly, over time.

At Nuvision, we’re here to help you protect what you’ve built. That means sharing what to watch for, helping you when something doesn’t feel right, and making sure support is available when you need it.

What Financial Exploitation Looks Like

Financial exploitation happens when someone uses pressure, manipulation, deception, or abuse of trust to get at another person’s money or assets. It rarely looks like the dramatic scams we see on the news — and that’s exactly why it’s so hard to spot.

Most often, the pressure comes from someone close: a family member, longtime friend, caregiver, or even a new romantic partner. It usually doesn’t start big. Maybe it begins with a small, reasonable-sounding request — like helping cover a sudden car repair or medical bill — and the person genuinely seems to need it. Over time, though, those asks can grow, and the boundaries start to blur.

Here are a few ways that pressure and manipulation often shows up:

• Urgent demands to move money fast, usually wrapped in an “emergency” or “just this once” story
• Someone else starting to steer financial decisions, answer questions for them, or insist on being involved in every transaction
• Fear of consequences if the money isn’t sent — guilt trips like “After all I’ve done for you,” threats to cut off contact, or emotional blackmail
• A sudden drop in the person’s confidence or independence around their own money matters

What makes this especially tough is that it can look completely reasonable on the surface. The bank approves the transfer. The story sounds convincing. And deep down, the person doing it might even believe they’re helping or that they deserve it.

It doesn’t have to be loud or obvious. It’s often quiet, gradual, and wrapped in care — which is why paying attention to your gut really matters. If something starts to feel off, even a little, that’s worth exploring.

Common Financial Red Flags: Signs to Pay Attention To

If you’re concerned about your own finances — or helping a parent, partner, or loved one manage theirs — certain changes are worth paying attention to.

Seeing one of these signs doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. But when changes feel sudden, pressured, or out of character, it’s a good reason to slow down and ask questions.

You might notice:

• Large or repeated cash withdrawals that don’t match past habits
• Requests to send money by wire, cashier’s check, gift cards, or other hard-to-trace methods
• Money moving quickly between accounts, or long-held accounts being closed without a clear reason
• Payments or transfers that mainly benefit someone else
• A new joint account holder, signer, or power of attorney added unexpectedly
• A sudden shift to banking methods the person never used before

Behavioral Red Flags Matter Too

Often, it’s not one transaction that raises concern — it’s the pattern over time. Context matters more than any single decision.

When you're keeping an eye on your own finances — or helping a parent, spouse, or friend with theirs — the numbers tell only part of the story. Sometimes, the way someone acts around money speaks louder than any statement or transfer ever could.

Little shifts in behavior can be big clues, especially if they touch on confidence, openness, or that sense of independence the person has always had. These aren't always dramatic — they can be quiet and easy to brush off at first.

Here are some things that often stand out when something isn't quite right:

• They seem confused, anxious, or even visibly nervous whenever finances come up in conversation — maybe they change the subject quickly or look uncomfortable.
• There's hesitation, second-guessing, or constant glances toward another person for approval before making even small decisions.
• Explanations about where money went or why a change was needed feel scripted, overly vague, or just don't quite line up when you think about it.

Even if every transaction looks "approved" on paper, these kinds of signals can hint at pressure, coercion, or undue influence building behind the scenes. Spotting them early can stop things before they snowball into something much harder to fix.

Why Slowing Down Can Make a Difference

Most financial exploitation relies on urgency. The message is usually the same: act now, don’t think, don’t tell anyone — just move the money.

Slowing things down can break that cycle.

Taking a moment to ask questions, double-check details, or pause before sending money gives people space to think clearly. That pause is often when something finally doesn’t feel right — or when someone realizes they don’t fully understand where the money is going or why it’s needed.

It also creates room to talk things through with a trusted family member, friend, or financial professional. Many people only recognize a problem once the pressure eases.

This is why you may occasionally experience extra questions, confirmations, or short delays around certain transactions. Those steps aren’t meant to make things harder. They’re there to slow situations down just enough to help prevent irreversible loss — and to protect people when urgency is being used against them.

Taking a little extra time now can make a big difference later.

You Don’t Have to Handle This Alone

If you’re worried about a financial situation — your own or someone you care about — you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

When there’s a concern about possible financial exploitation, trained professionals can help assess what’s going on and what kind of support may be needed. Their focus is on the full picture — safety, pressure, and vulnerability — not just a single transaction.

What matters most is speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. You don’t need proof, and you don’t need all the answers. Raising a concern simply helps make sure the situation gets the right attention.

Asking for help isn’t an overreaction. In many cases, it’s how problems are caught early — before more harm is done.

Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones Starts With Awareness

Financial exploitation is real, and it’s becoming more common. It doesn’t always look obvious, and it doesn’t always involve strangers.

By staying aware, slowing down when things feel rushed, and asking questions when something doesn’t sit right, you can help protect yourself and the people you care about — while still respecting independence and personal choice.

If you ever have concerns about a financial situation, we’re here to help.