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Cheops48 Asked September 12, 2025

How to protect bank accounts?

An elderly widow 's step children are demanding her bank PIN and searching her accounts. Others are taking her to the bank and getting out money they do not account for. What to do ?

97yroldmom Sep 14, 2025
In addition to what has been suggested about APS, call her bank if you know which it is and alert them. They are always watching for fraud. Just tell them you are a concerned person and have no info other than what the elder has said, if that is the case. Be prepared to give the bank her name and address and phone number.

AlvaDeer Sep 13, 2025
What is your relationship to this person?

Do understand that if you are seeing elder fraud and abuse you should report this to Adult Protective Services (APS) in your area.

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Geaton777 Sep 12, 2025
Please be aware that sometimes elders will appear normal as they slowly develop dementia. One symptom that can come and go is paranoia, especially in the afternoons. Even though I'm my Mom's PoA and she lives next door to me, she started having paranoia about me "stealing" her money and manipulating her financial assets -- and it didn't matter how much "evidence" I showed her to the contrary. It's an extremely common symptom.

You should maybe ask her (in the morning) if any of her children or step children are her PoA. If she doesn't have one and you can't contact any local relatives to report your concerns about her, then you may need to report her to APS who will investigate elder abuse.

MG8522 Sep 12, 2025
Has she given financial POA to anyone?

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