Victims of elder financial abuse are being urged to come forward, after a survey found almost 50% of bank officials have dealt with suspected cases.

More than 13,000 cases of elder abuse referred to the Helath Service Executive (HSE) up to the end of 2013.

The survey asked 493 Ulster Bank customer service staff about their experience of elder financial abuse.

45% had dealt with suspected elder financial abuse cases, almost all of whom had dealt with at least one case in the previous 12 months.

While 68% of respondents were familiar with elder financial abuse, rising to 75% among those with 10 years or more experience.

Financial abuse is the second most common form of elder abuse, accounting for more than one in five cases.

Age Action and Ulster Bank are working together to raise awareness of the issue of elder financial abuse and to identify ways of preventing it.

Advocacy officer for Age Action Ireland, Justin Moran, told Newstalk Breakfast it is important cases are reported.