She called the scammer this time, they locked her out of her computer, told her to change her bank password and sent her an app. They told her they deposited $20k into her account and they are trying to get her to send it to them. she trust them more than me. Who should I call? pPolice, the bank? How do I stop them?
If so it is time to get your mother's ability to access cash, credit cards and her own accounts out of her control. The POA becomes signee for all bills and keeps meticulous records, giving the principal (that's mom) a private small account for her own spending, but one monitored by the POA. When my brother fell ill with Lewy's this is how we set everything up for his protection and the protection of his assets as he took the long road downward in mental decline.
If your mom doesn't have dementia, I would contact AARP and go to their website where they have some hotlines on which you AND/OR mom can discuss this scamming. But it is now down to the point where they are discussing DSM diagnosis of mental disorder where scams are concerned. It is very difficult for a senior to acknowledge they have been "taken". Or anyone else, really. Which often leads to repetive attempts with success on their finances.
I wish you luck. Go to the search bar and type in "scams" and you will get lots of questions on AgingCare with lots of suggestions. Good luck.
Check with AARP www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/
In Congress, there is a bill to help those who pull their money out of an IRA/401k to pay a scammer yet the person still has to pay income tax on said stolen money (the Bill is currently stalled in Congress). Here's a good article about a woman who was scammed into purchasing gold, then turning it over to someone else for safe keeping (the thief). www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2024/scam-elderly-tax-issues-victim-aid-congress/
How old is your Mom? Does she have any history of mental illness, or is she old enough to possibly have dementia?
Is anyone the PoA for your Mom? If so, this person will to step in to try to begin managing (and preserving) her money. The PoA usually needs to activate their authority by getting an official diagnosis of sufficient impairment from her doctor.
If she has no PoA and isn't willing or able to assign anyone, then you really don't have any other power to intercede until and unless she starts having other symptoms.
You can show them like scams on AARP, you can show them a million Dr. Phil shows and STILL they believe. It is like Hoarding. It makes no sense and you cannot talk them out of it.
WORSE? No one in this entire country, where literally billions are lost in this manner, give a rip or will do ANYTHING about this. Comes down to as long as we are legally competent under the law we can give our money to anyone we wish to. Perhaps you are in the wrong profession? Because THIS WORKS. And quite easily. Whether you are promising dinner with Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie on the line waiting for child advice, they BELIEVE it. That is how sad the human condition is.
If you cannot get conservatorship she is very likely to lose not just THIS money but ALL her money because it continues and each time their believe. I have never personally seem ANYONE stop it in any way.
Do go to AARP site. They have a place to report scams and to even have someone talk with your loved one about it. I must tell you I doubt it will help. If you cannot get control of her money she is very likely to give it all away.