I am afraid people are taking advantage of my dad financially. What do I do?

Florida, of all places, ought to have good laws protecting seniors from fraud and abuse. Do a search at the state's website to see if they have a department for that. If not, or if you can't find anything, contact the state attorney general's office and let them know. Also, you might call the local police where he lives.

We went through this with my dad in Texas several years ago, and the authorities were useless, especially the social services representative. She was sweet-talked by the jerk who was ripping off my dad and believed him when he said he was going to pay all the money back. Never happened.

Cheryl, I would also contact the local PD to alert them of the possible fraud; they may or may not investigate if they don't have much to go on, but they may step in to at least make an assessment.


And we never know if the people involved in "caring" for him have made a practice of this. The police can access national databases to determine if these people have aliases and/or have engaged in similar practices in other states. I would think this would be especially appropriate for the person hired through Craigslist.

And do call APS, today. Be sure to alert them that your father probably will resist their involvement.

Perhaps others know (I don't) if you can get information on his medical condition, especially whether he's taking any meds for whatever illnesses he may have. His approach toward blocking family yet letting strangers in makes me wonder if there's some confusion or dementia involved. Is this a new development?

Good luck; this must be very frustrating and upsetting.

To add to Barb's thoughts, whomever makes the trip --- don't give advance notice! Just show up otherwise anyone who might have been up to no good would clean up the situation. Can you check his financial statements online? With sufficient info you should be able to do so.

Have you called Adult Protective Services and reported him as a vulnerable adult?

Alternatively, someone in the family needs to make the trip down there, assess the situation in person and get some services set up. Or bring dad back to PA.