A new survey revealed that almost 250 banking officials have dealt with suspected cases of elder financial abuse in last 12 months.

Age Action, a charity that promotes positive ageing, better policies and services for older people, warned banks to be on the alert after the survey that included 500 banks found almost 13,000 cases of elder abuse referred to the HSE up to the end of 2013.

The group said hundreds of older people are facing regular demands for money, are having their pensions with-held and are finding that their property is being taken.

In the survey, it was found that in the vast majority of cases, the perpetrators are immediate family members. Financial abuse is now the second most common form of elder mistreatment.

In one of the case the charity dealt with a woman in her late 70s was left in sheltered accommodation after his son moved into her home.

In another incident, a woman with dementia was persuaded by her son to set up a joint bank account. He later used this account to get a credit card and made several purchases for which his mother was charged.

It has been said that Age Action is now working with Ulster Bank in a bid raise awareness of financial abuse.

Together, they hope to establish some new ways of preventing older people from becoming victims and to encourage banking staff to act if they suspect elder abuse.

Jefferson County District Attorney joins Stephen Hauck to discuss the importance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the steps his office is doing to spread awareness and prosecute those who abuse the elderly.

Justin Moran, head of advocacy and communications with Age Action, said financial abuse was the second most common form of elder abuse.