On-line banking and potential fraud

jonesMUFCforever

I agree 'Refer to drawer' would mean lack of funds but 'advice of drawing' suggests that they may not have an up to date signature to confirm with the cheque.
Is she well enough to go to the bank with you? - could she do a faster payment to your account whilst there (she would need to take ID) and update her signature??

Robin9

It is quite possible that the bank does not even have your mum's signature on record.

You do need to involve yourself in your mum's affairs - utilities, insurances.

Beenie

She doesn't leave the house. Going to the bank is impossible. I have got her to sign various direct debits so that her utilities are paid from the account.

Robin9

I see your mother has carers - has she had to do a financial assessment with social services to determine how much she pays ?

Tom99

You could always "help" her to sign up for online access

Beenie

Robin9 wrote: »

I see your mother has carers - has she had to do a financial assessment with social services to determine how much she pays ?

Yes, that's been calculated and the direct debit form signed and returned to the council.

Robin9

But to do that you needed to know how much she had in the bank didn't you ?

Beenie

No. I know she has pension income to cover her share of the payment, and thought no more about it. Certainly didn't need to see statements to know exactly what her balance was.

schiff

Beenie wrote: »

No. I know she has pension income to cover her share of the payment, and thought no more about it. Certainly didn't need to see statements to know exactly what her balance was.

You have said before that your mother keeps things like bank statements etc on her desk, apparently visible, I think? Are you not tempted to have a look yourself? If it doesn't show the level of capital you thought she had, a healthy five figure sum, it's time to take things further!

Beenie

The bank statements had disappeared the last time I visited her. No sign of a cheque book either. I didn't have a thorough search of the house obviously (who turns their parent's place upside down on a suspicion?) but I will look more vigorously next visit. Hopefully the POA won't be too long in coming so I can go to the bank officially as my mother's agent.