Mom is 89 with stage 6 dementia.
I'm daughter caregiver and live with mom. In process of conservatorship. Niece always has lame excuses for needing money. Pay her rent, doctor bills, she's hungry, etc. She doesn't work. Mom says she feels sorry for her and loves her. Mom properties are maintenance deferred. Mom always promises to stop giving her money but doesn't. In September, mom closed out a bank account with $17,000, according to bank. This was done by phone. As I not on account bank will not talk with me. Mom doesn't recall this. At my wits end.
I agree with Isthisrealyreal about contacting authorities but I'm pretty sure you'd have to have some actual proof -- one type of which would be your mom's medical diagnosis of cognitive/memory impairment. I also agree with Isthisrealyreal that closing out an account with that much money sounds fishy -- where did the funds go? Were they transferred to another account? Surely since she lives with you she didn't drive to the bank to accept the cashier's check without you knowing? If your mom told you this story, I'd be suspect of it. You can create an online account for her (with her permission and in her presence) and you can look into her banking activity, or ask your mom to show you recent statements so you can help her "reconcile" her checkbook.
This is financial exploitation of a vulnerable senior.
How did she close an account over the phone? I would be contacting the banking commission to find out wth?