Which term specifically requires a relationship of confidence or trust between the offender and the victim?

• A. Financial Abuse
• B. Financial Misconduct
• C. Exploitation
• D. Financial Exploitation

Answer: (D)

Financial exploitation hinges on a position of trust between the offender and the victim. The offender uses that trusted relationship to take, misuse, or control the victim’s money or assets, which is what sets this term apart from more general financial wrongdoing. For example, a caregiver or fiduciary who taps a vulnerable person’s funds because they are trusted to manage them is engaging in financial exploitation. Other terms like financial abuse or financial misconduct describe harmful acts with finances but do not inherently require a trusted relationship, and exploitation by itself is a broad concept that doesn’t necessarily specify the financial trust element.