Is there anything one can do to train seniors in how to deal with these agressive con men?
My mother was recently scammed by two men that forcibly power washed her house without permission.
They pulled into her driveway, took out their washing equipment, proceeded to wash her house, and then demanded payment. She lives alone is 89, has difficulty walking.
They demanded that she write them a check for $200. One of the guys asked to use her bathroom and when inside the house stole $50 she had on her kitchen table.
This happened a couple of months back and she only told me about it yesterday. She said that she "fixed' them, as once they left she called the bank and cancelled payment on the check. I asked her why she didn't call the police. She couldn't give me a logical answer.
My sister and I got together, called her bank who said she needs to close that account, and open a new one, as these con men now have her account and routing numbers. We also called the police, who came over and filled out a police report.
My sister and I both live hours away from my mother. It seems that it's a regular occurrence for people to show up at her house uninvited, and try to solicitate work from her, chimney cleaning, new roofs, etc.
My fear is that one of these times it's going to be even more serious and she'll be physically harmed. Is there anything one can do to train seniors in how to deal with these agressive con men?
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There is a neighbor across the street that does keep an eye on the neighborhood, but for some reason my mother has had a falling out with him. Do you think reporting something like this to the local newspaper helps? The neighborhood she lives in used to be a much more closely knit community, but so many of the older, familiar have passed on. The newer, younger neighbors, more or less keep to themselves. She is very resistant to moving, she wants to stay in her home as long as she can. How would one go about finding a college student to live with her?
Unless, of course, there's a college student or someone you trust who could live with her? That might work, but you need to be very sure you can trust that person, of course, or you would be going backward rather than forward.
I'm glad the police were informed. This situation is appalling.
Take care,
Carol