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When this started several years ago I was appalled at having to visit the bank to close one account and open a new one, after my mom gave all her account info to a "Publishers Clearing House" caller who requested money to deliver her "prizes". Since I've moved in with her (ugh!) it happens more frequently even after numerous conversations about never answer the phone if you don't know the caller or number. That's become a joke now. I have threatened to get rid of her precious land line and get her a pay-as-you-go cell phone AND a new phone number. Is that my only option? Oh, and don't tell me to report callers, or get on a no-call list....HA! Thanks for any realistic suggestions!

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There was an fraudulent event on my mother's bank account. Sister, who is on account with her to monitor asked the bank to set up a "fraud alert" for non essential purchases. This has helped tremendously. Maybe you can do the same. The bank at our request also cancelled her charge card and all she has is one debit card. Much easier to monitor. If there is a questionable transaction on an item, the action is pended and my sister is called for an approval.
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Don't know that this will work but I had a very emphatic phone call with a supervisor at that company from my mother's phone when she still had a landline. I told them I was making one final payment for some piece of nothing but that would be the end of it. I made my mother off to be worse than she was which was bad enough. I discussed her memory issues and stated that they were harassing her in the condition she had evolved to. I made sure it was a supervisor. He actually sounded sympathetic and there was no further communication or tracking her down as she moved into facilities. I was polite but emphatic. Worth a try. If she has access to a credit card you may rarely have a sane moment. I must have closed and opened around five if not more in order to eradicate any companies for automatic monthly payments. We are both on this last one. I needed to do that as no cc company could block certain charges from a biller I wanted to never hear from again.
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Are you home all day with her, if so get rid of landline and don't replace it with a cell. My Mom forgot how to use a phone and never used a cell. I put mine on Do Not Disturb with only contacts being able to ring thru. Unwanted calls will either go to VM or click off as soon as they hear a VM. I was lucky that I drummed into Moms head if she didn't know the person, hang up. Or tell them I handled her money. Then she forgot how to use her cordless phone. I personally don't pick up anyone I don't know. If I do, I saw hello once. No answer, I hang up.

I realize we want to honor our parents but there comes a time when we become the parent in this relationship and them the child. It is no longer what they want, its what they need. When what they do starts effecting me, like having to go to the bank all the time, then the something, like the phone, gets stopped. Its not something she has to have now ur living there.

If you have POA, well its in effect. Shred her debit card. Freeze her credit cards pay off and close. Have her bank acct set up that only u can write checks and authorize any type of withdrawl. Hide her check book.
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Get rid of them. If she has some merchandise that might be useful tell them you will pay for that last item but want nothing more sent. Say you have POA even if you don't. It really won't matter here. Tell them to delete her account after paying for last item that hopefully has a purpose. Speak to a senior employee there and be very emphatic..indicate she has dementia and cannot make choices for herself. It took all of this for me with my mother but it finally worked.
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mrtedders Mar 2021
Problem is it's not really PCH that's calling. It's a scammer.
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Don’t argue or attempt to persuade her of anything. It’s an endless loop that goes nowhere. And of course ditch the landline and get her a simple cell that you program before she gets it. It can block callers not in her contacts. Peace of mind for you is important
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mrtedders Mar 2021
Thanks for your reply. After almost 4 yrs of her caregiving I still forget that telling her something over and over will not work.
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