My Mother in Law has given a caller posing as someone from Verizon all of her banking info, password, Social Security number and date of birth. This is the second time this has happened. She is too trusting and doesn't realize that no one legitimate will ever call her asking for this info and anyone that does she should hang up on them! The caller had her get on her computer and directed her to a website to install software and had control of her computer for at least 90 minutes.The caller also somehow was able to direct her to install software on her new iPhone!
MiL was able to contact the bank and her account is frozen and funds are safe. My wife was able to get a 3 way call with mom and her bank to change the password so my wife could review her mom's account as my MiL's computer is not safe to use for any financial transactions. Because her computer cannot be determined to be safe it needs a new clean operating system installed or be replaced. My sister-in-law "SiL" bought her mom a new computer to be delivered ASAP.
I've said MiL cannot do her own banking on her computer again, she cannot be trusted and this WILL happen again, it's not going to get better, it never does. My SiL thinks mom has learned her lesson and won't do it again. I've said it doesn't work that way, as our LO's age it never gets easier and they become more vulnerable, and with an established track record it will happen again. To this SiL says it will be fine, her mom has learned her lesson.
What are your thoughts and what would you do?
My MIL is the same way. She's terrified of identity theft, but has fallen for a few scams and without having instant access to her accts., it can take DAYS to straighten stuff out. MANY scammers work on the weekends in the knowledge that nobody can do much over the weekend.
If your MIL is of 'sound mind' you can't take her rights away to have a computer and online banking. But maybe SIL can have the info on her computer too, so she can check on a regular basis to make sure she's not being scammed. Since she has fallen for more than one scam, somebody has to have eyes on her. How amenable is she to a 2nd person being on her bank statements? That way someone is keeping track of what's going on and any scams would be caught quickly. I'd talk to her bank and see what they 'offer'. No doubt they encounter this dynamic frequently and can guide you.
I do not know how you would go about taking her rights to a 'private' account such as she probably WANTS--it's just one more reminder she's getting old.
I know with mom, that my YB sees her every other month for a quick check on things. She's been scammed, but for small amounts and we've been able to get back some of what she's lost. Basically, she's really cheap and so it's hard to get a nickel out of her.
Since MIL probably won't remember it, it can happen again.
I wish I had some suggestions, but at the moment I don't. I'm kind of overwhelmed with sadness for you, and your family, and not thinking too clearly.
If it's any consolation, you're not the only one facing this. And fortunately you've taken action once recognizing the situation. I am impressed with how much the family pulled together to help out and get past the situation.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/identity-protection-pin-program-will-soon-be-available-to-taxpayers-nationwide#:~:text=Other%20ways%20to%20get%20an%20IP%20PIN&text=Taxpayers%20with%20income%20of%20%2472%2C000,PIN%20the%20following%20tax%20year.
Also, freeze her credit with all 3 credit bureaus. Cancel all credit cards if that wasn't done immediately. Make sure you know you got them all. Change passwords to everything.
And she has proven she is not safe with her financial data. Scammers are VERY slick. Time to take away the keys. Easier said than done, but if it happened once, it can happen again. Take whatever steps you can to prevent it.
This is something everyone should be concerned with. By husband I were driving into to work and we got a phone call that someone was applying for a credit card in his name. He was able to stop that. Then two hours later he got a phone call from the company who monitors our credit that someone was trying to buy a BMW! What tipped them off was they were trying to change the address. So we immediately put a freeze on our credit so nobody can buy a cell phone, sign a lease, get a mortgage, open a bank account, nothing without us giving a password, LIN#.