The U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority announced a new rule on Thursday that allows brokers to pause disbursements from client accounts if they suspect a client is suffering from dementia or being influenced by caregivers or scam artists.

The rule, which will go into effect in February 2018, will also require brokerages to collect the name and phone number of a "trusted contact person," which the brokerage will call if a withdrawal raises such concerns.

The delay is meant to give the brokerage time to contact trusted people and investigate the reasons for the disbursement of funds or securities.

Protecting senior investors from financial exploitation has been a top concern for FINRA in recent years, which launched a hotline in 2015 for seniors who have questions or concerns about their investment accounts.