Hi
My name is Jennifer - my mom is Catherine
and lives in Florida. I visit every two months and stay a week. After moms last stroke, she asked if she could go home. She doesn't want to stay in a nursing home and refuses to come home with me.

We placed a reverse mortgage on her home as we have run through most of her outside holdings. It will last for several years and I can always handle the finances, "that would be my silver lining in this story".

So finally to my concern, I was lucky to find well referenced caregivers and I DO trust them. I have taken the usual precautions, and have no worry of any abuse -BUT- what precautions is everyone taking so their parents don't get "taken". I read this article and wanted to share..
https://www.trustedid.com/html/identity_theft_protection_resource_004.php
But want to hear from the community-

Thank you so much
Jenn
newbie to the sandwich gen AKA S-GEN

Hi Jennifer, Welcome to ECO. Thanks for the article. No one should ever let down their guard, and if possible no one but my Bro or me will ever see any reference to Mom's finances. In fact, none of her mail that might contain account info comes to her house. Addresses have been changed for all but monthly bills to Bro's house. I keep her check book locked up with all her IDs, bro and I have photo copies in our possession in case we have to meet her at the hospital, before we can get to the origionals.

I "trust" her team, but darn, we have heard some horror stories that just won't go away here. All tips to help us keep them safe are welcome. Some of the info there may help me straighten out my own files.

Dang I am sick to death reading that article Jen I work for an agency and were bonded but that obviously doesnt stop that from happening.
On the matter of banks the one thing I did with my MIL's accounts was to put a verification on the account for anything since I do banking only once a month and am the ONLY one with the ATM card...Not even my hunny touches those accounts and hes her son lol And yes Id kick his scrawny lil butt from here to the state line on that matter
One other thing you can do with the credit bureaus if you suspect fraudulent activity is to place a "freeze" on her credit so that no one can open accounts on her SS#
On both of these matters though you have to be her POA which means not only the one drawn up by the lawyer but there are forms you have to draw up with both the banks and SS office.
SS card should ALWAYS stay with you if you are her POA and remember one lil tidbit those medicare cards, you know the one, dont let them outta your sight either.
Have all bills and important things come to your home rather than hers so you can keep an eye on whats happening pay off and close all credit cards and you can also have the Credit Bureaus report regularly to you to show if there is any activity.
Hope this helps