The growing problem of elder abuse, specifically elderly individuals falling victim to sweepstakes scams, is highlighted in a recent article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution written by AP writer Allen Breed.  While the sweepstake scam is nothing new, the growth of internet has made it easier and easier for criminals to find potential victims.  In our practice, we have dealt with several matters where victims have spent tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on these scams.  As with the family in the article, the best option is often to file for conservatorship in the probate court.  In those cases, our attorneys at Gaslowitz Frankel have been successful in obtaining a conservatorship, allowing the conservator to cut off the flow of funds from the victim.  If the victim is otherwise competent to make decisions on their own (and thus not likely to have a conservator appointed by the court), another option is to utilize a power of attorney or set up an irrevocable trust to protect the assets.