My stepmother, 82, has dementia. Her daughter (mystepsister) has power of attorney. POA has numerous unpaid bills for which she is responsible, in the tens of thousands of dollars. I live in a different state than they. I suspect that my stepmother is being financially exploited by her daughter and see a need to step in, but do not know what to do or how to proceed. I have limited income and cannot afford expensive legal assistance. What else can I do to ensure that my stepmother is not financially exploited?
How can I report this without them knowing it was me? My half-sister hates all of us and will retaliate in ways you have no idea about. Help!!
Oh yes... my Aunt has been diagnosed with dementia.
No one cares when the Prince of Nigeria gets money.
No one cares when someone scams the deed to a house.
No one cares when someone gets an elder loved one to pay fake debts.
No one cares when older people lose their money to telemarketing scams.
No one cares when older people end up in the poor house because of fake investment schemes.
No one cares when older people get ripped off by fake sweepstakes and lottery scams.
There are hotlines and websites that purport to care but I have yet to encounter a single person who had any success recouping any money.
The only people who get back any money are the wealthy who get scammed by someone like Bernie Madoff. He had hundreds of victims. But when you're just another ordinary person, no one cares.
If you had the resources to fight the daughter I would suggest taking her to court. But you don't so, sadly, my suggestion to you is let it go.
Do you think I even stand a chance on doing something? DCF and Adult Protective Services are USELESS. The sheriff's department has been no help either. Why is this so rampant? What is wrong with our system for protecting the elderly.