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I am trying to help sibling with Alzheimer's turn off any unnecessary automatic bill payments. Once she moves to AL, utilities can be closed with no problem, but it's the unknown / forgotten / infrequent automatic payments I'm having trouble tracking down. I found three on her latest credit card statement. I only have medical POA and companies are hesitant to talk. She has also changed credit cards a few times in last year - not sure why. I'd try to look through old statements but they are in total disarray. What might be best way to get this information?

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A senior citizen with a failing mind should not have a credit card. If you report this "failing mind" and senior in LTC the credit will be cancelled and not reissued. The automatic payments will go away with them. If she is in LTC the social workers there can perhaps help you with an emergency guardianship (which is as simple for them in most states as a call to a Judge). That will allow you to manage finances if you wish. The one certain thing is that you Sister can no longer do it. If you don't wish to then someone must (perhaps a court appointed fiduciary). Your sister is going to need help with this or the money drain will continue. Speak with the administration of her LTC. Get a recommend to an elder law attorney if they have no better ideas for you. And good luck.
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Get her credit report. It will list all her credit cards, and will show payments. There is usually a phone number for the credit card company.
Some banks, WellsFargo for sure, have a feature where you can check all automatic payments. In WF, it's called the Tower. It will give you the company getting the payment and the last 4 digits of the credit card its charged to.
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JoAnn29 May 2021
The problem with WF, according to other posts on this forum, is they don't recognize POAs.
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Online access to each card would be the easiest way. Then you can search more easily. Depending on the cc, it may give you an annual summary with charges broken down by category, also easier to search. If you filter the charges by name you may be able to identify annual auto renewals. Does she have a a financial PoA?
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Without financial POA you are stuck. Does your sister still understand what is going on to the point she understands what assigning you financial POA means? If so, go back to the lawyer who assigned Medical and have sister assign you financial.

You need to freeze those accounts. As long as she has a balance, she is paying finance charges monthly if not paying the full amount monthly. She has to at least pay the minimum payment on time.

I don't see where you need to go back into her statements. Her most recent should show automated payments. Some you may be able to figure out like utilities others the Credit Card company can give you the info. If sister is still capable, she can tell the rep its OK to talk to you. Once you find out the info, you can call these people and ask that the auto payment be stopped because you are shutting down the account. They will need to start sending a billing. If your able to pay off the account and close it, you will definitely hear from the people who pull from her account monthly. Then you can go from there.

So sorry you were not given financial POA when you were assigned Medical. Its a great tool when you need it. You may have to get guardianship which can be expensive but an expense sister can pay out of her money.
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