SACRAMENTO—Financial abuse of the elderly is a growing problem in the Sacramento area, with reports of theft by family members and caregivers up 300 percent over the past three years, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s office.

One current case involves an 82-year-old Sacramento woman whose son allegedly used her Social Security number to obtain credit cards in her name. She discovered his actions when a bank official called her to say she was late making payments on a $10,000 cash advance on one of the cards.

Reports of such incidents have tripled over the past three years, according to Sacramento Deputy District Attorney Sheri Greco, who is handling the 82-year-old woman’s case.

She said there may be many more people out there suffering from financial abuse, as experts believe the majority of cases are never reported.

Two-thirds of those who commit elder abuse are family members, said Peggy Osborn, program manager for Elder Abuse Prevention for the state attorney general’s office. Some victims remain silent because they don’t want to betray a relative or because they are in denial, she said.