LexisNexis ( January 26, 2017, 11:27 AM EST) -- Many banks and credit unions may not be aware of a notable "Advisory" issued in March 2016 by the CFPB and available on its website. The Advisory identifies best practices in dealing with exploitation of elderly and disabled customers by con artists. This is a fast-growing area of banking law that has generated numerous statutes across the country in recent years. In the introduction to its Advisory, the CFPB describes elder and disabled financial exploitation as "the crime of the 21st century." Only a small fraction of the incidents are reported. Older people are attractive targets for con artists because they often have assets and a regular source of income. These consumers may be especially vulnerable due to isolation, cognitive decline, physical disability, health problems, and/or bereavement. Banks and credit unions are uniquely positioned to detect that an elder accountholder has been targeted or victimized, and to take action....