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Babs2013 Asked July 2021

How do I report financial elder abuse without my name getting involved?

How do I report it without getting involved with my name since it's a family member doing it to a family member? I have proof but I am fit to be tied. Need some help. The family member in which this is done too has dementia short term memory is gone and I believe they took advantage of that telling me that they would never do this to their uncle. I am his rep payee for social security I have to report all money dealings back to social security if I don't I could be put in jail. I don't know if I can change his account to where they can't get into it or put a limit on money taken out so that they can't take out more than what is needed. But he doesn't need anything because I supply everything for him. When I found out yesterday that this has happened I cried because this man thinks he is helping when they are stealing from him.

PussJr Jul 2021
Whoever has a Living Will with the doctor papers that tells the principal is incapable of making decisions. Whoever the principal has listed as Durable Power Of Attorney responsible is for all Finance.

Countrymouse Jul 2021
You are the representative payee for X [who? What relation is he to you?].
X has short-term memory loss and is a trusting soul.
You receive X's social security into one bank account.
X's pension is paid into another bank account, to which his niece has access.
You say you have no control over this "pension bank account." None? How did the money withdrawal come to your attention?
Niece took money from his pension account. She states that she did this with your approval, and that the money was in recognition of, or to pay her for, caregiving/support which she provides for her uncle. You say: hooey, you told her no such thing.

Well. There's the misunderstanding. It's hard to see how quite such a big misunderstanding could have arisen, but it's amazing how different two people's view of the same conversation can be.

It seems that the cat is already out of the bag and among the pigeons; and that being so, why do you still feel the need to keep your name out of any report to APS or to the social security people?

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MJ1929 Jul 2021
You confronted the person doing it. Why do you care if you're anonymous when you report it? They're going to know it was you.

Call Adult Protective Services in your area and report it. Do the right thing.
NeedHelpWithMom Jul 2021
Exactly what I was thinking. It’s not exactly a secret. She confronted the person. Why would she consider being anonymous?
BurntCaregiver Jul 2021
If you're the payee for the social security payments and also supply this family member with what they need along with care, you're in charge of this person and their money. Why do they have access to their money and why does some other relative with dementia also have it?
Set up a new bank account, or better still get someone else to handle the POA responsibilities because you're not doing so well with it. If the person has a lawyer talk with them. If not the probate court in the town your relative lives in will know how best to advice you as to getting someone else to take over the POA duties.
As for there being financial elder abuse, if one elderly person with dementia is spending the money of another elderly person with dementia, neither is guilty of elder abuse. Since neither are in their right minds.
The one who was in charge of the elderly person with dementia and their money is the one guilty of financial elder abuse because that's neglect.
Babs2013 Jul 2021
I guess I didn't explain it well she is taking from his pension bank account that I have no control over. I confronted her yesterday told her what she was doing was wrong and she told me I told her to take it out. That it was for his care she was giving him. I did nothing of the sort because like I said I don't have control over that account. She told me I was the one that split up the family. I told her I have to report this to the IRS because it went over the $1500 of care for him. I am still trying to figure out how to do that. I guess I am a home wrecker in her eyes because I took away her money.
JoAnn29 Jul 2021
I thought a payee had to set up a separate acct for the SS check. Also, the person you are payee for cannot have access to the acct. Thats why ur a payee.

Grandma1954 Jul 2021
Do you or does the family member that is being financially abused have a lawyer? If so contact the lawyer and discuss the matter with him or her.
Since the lawyer is working in the best interest of the abused elder they are also obligated to aid.
Since you are Rep Payee you are obligated as well.
I would contact APS and report the elder abuse. During the investigation you will not be named.

AnnReid Jul 2021
The fact that you are his SS Payee does place a significant responsibility on you.

Is there also a financial or broad POA who also has responsibility for his person’s funds? If so, is THAT person trustworthy?

I’m not sure, but I wonder if it would be possible to get information about your situation from a “consumer fraud” or “elder fraud” officer working with the police department in your BIL’S community?

You will certainly need to protect both BIL’S interests AND also your own.

He is fortunate to have you in his corner.

mstrbill Jul 2021
You could call APS, they will not tell the subject of the investigation who initiated it, but there may be a decent chance you would be suspected by your family member anyway. How much money is involved and how did this family member access it? I think it makes a difference on how to proceed. If you are the rep payee for SS are you saying your bank account was pilfered?

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