alzheimer and money how to protect a person from financial scams

Table of Contents

1. Understanding financial vulnerability

2. Most common types of scams

3. Warning signs of a scam

4. Immediate protection measures

5. Legal protections

6. What to do in case of a confirmed scam

Understanding financial vulnerability {#vulnerabilite}

Why Alzheimer’s individuals are targets

1. Loss of judgment

Can no longer evaluate if an offer is too good to be true.

Signs contracts without understanding (abusive clauses, huge financial commitments).

2. Confusion

No longer recognizes dangerous situations.

Confuses reality and fiction (fake bank advisor = real to her).

3. Emotional vulnerability

Loneliness, fear: Scammers exploit emotions.

Manipulation techniques: "Your grandson needs money urgently!" (emotion = short-circuits reason).

4. Difficulty saying no

Loss of assertiveness: No longer knows how to refuse, oppose.

Fear of disappointing, being rude.

5. Social isolation

Less vigilant surroundings = Less protection.

Scammers take advantage of loneliness (no one to check, alert).

6. Access to payment methods

Still able to sign checks, use debit cards (at the beginning of the disease).

But without the ability to discern: Danger.

Consequences of scams

Family conflicts: Accusations, disputes over money management.

Most common types of scams {#types-arnaques}

1. Fake technical support scam

Scenario:

Phone call: "Microsoft here, your computer is infected."

Requests remote access (takes control of the computer).

Theft of banking data, installation of malware.

Or requests payment for "repair" (€500-1000).

Why it works: Fear of viruses, trust in "technician," confusion.

2. Fake bank advisor scam

Scenario:

Call: "Your bank advisor, suspicious activity on your account."

Requests card codes, account access "to secure it."

Theft of money, fraudulent transfers.

Why it works: Fear of fraud, trust in the bank, urgency created.

3. Fake family emergency scam

Scenario:

Call/SMS: "Grandma, it's me (grandson), accident, need money urgently!"

Emotional pressure: "Don't tell Dad, I'm ashamed."

Requests transfer, Western Union.

Why it works: Family love, urgency, confusion (does not recognize voice).

4. Abusive door-to-door sales

Scenario:

Door-to-door solicitation: Isolation, windows, solar panels.

Pressure: "Offer valid today only!"

Signs contract (commitments €10,000-50,000).

Shoddy work or never completed.

Why it works: Confusion, pressure, difficulty saying no.

5. Fake financial investments

Scenario:

Call from financial advisor: "Safe investment, 20% annual return."

Investment (€10,000+).

Money disappears (fake investment).

Why it works: Lure of profit, trust in "professional," loss of discernment.

6. Romance scam

Scenario:

Online meeting (or phone, social networks).

Seduction, attention: "You are extraordinary."

Progressive money requests: "I have a problem, can you help?"

Large sums sent.

Why it works: Loneliness, need for affection, confusion.

7. Lotteries, fake prizes

Scenario:

Mail/call: "You have won €50,000!"

Requests payment of fees (€500-2000) "to unlock winnings."

Winnings do not exist.

Why it works: Hope for easy gain, confusion.

8. Abuse by acquaintances

Scenario:

Close person (family, neighbor, home help) takes advantage of confusion.

Unauthorized withdrawals, unpaid loans, changes to will.

Why it works: Trust, easy access, victim does not realize.

Warning signs of a scam {#signes-alerte}

Financial signs

Unexplained large withdrawals (ATM, checks).

Unusual purchases (useless items, duplicates).

Unpaid bills despite sufficient income (money gone elsewhere).

New contracts, loans that she does not mention.

Sudden bank overdrafts.

Recent and surprising changes in beneficiaries (life insurance, will).

Behavioral signs

Unusual secrecy about money.

Frequent calls/letters from strangers.

Repeated visits from sellers, "advisors."

Anxiety around money (sudden fear of poverty, or conversely euphoria "I won!").

Expensive gifts to new people (sign of emotional manipulation).

Signs in the environment

Letters from unknown companies (contracts, bills).

Unknown numbers on the phone (repeated calls).

Presence of unknown people at home (sellers, "new friends").

Confusion about expenses: "How much did I give?" (does not remember).

Immediate protection measures {#mesures-protection}

1. Secure payment methods

Bank card:

Limit ceilings:

• Withdrawal: €200/week (adapt to actual needs)
• Payment: €500/week

Block online payments (ask the bank).

Withdraw card if necessary (if advanced stage, unable to manage).

Checks:

Limit number (withdraw checkbooks, keep them yourself).

Or block completely (ask the bank).

Cash:

Limit amount at home (€100-200 max).

You manage withdrawals (she no longer goes to the ATM alone).

2. Alert the bank

Make an appointment with an advisor:

Inform about the illness (discretion assured).

Request vigilance: Alert if unusual transactions (large withdrawals, suspicious transfers).

Establish procedures: Dual signature (you + her) for transfers >€500.

Some banks offer "future protection mandate" (anticipatory protection).

3. Filter communications

Phone:

Unlisted number (remove from directory).

Block masked calls (phone settings or operator).

Answering machine: You listen to messages first.

You present during important calls (bank, administrations).

Mail:

You sort mail (remove brochures, dubious offers).

Report scams: Bloctel (opposition to telemarketing), 33700 (fraudulent SMS).

Internet:

Limit access (if still using):

Antivirus, antimalware up to date.

Block dangerous sites (parental control).

Or withdraw access if unable to navigate safely.

4. Discreet monitoring

Regularly check bank statements (with her consent if possible, or through legal protection).

Check purchases, expenses: Anomalies?

Talk about money regularly (without interrogation): "Do you need anything? Is everything okay financially?"

5. Educate about scams

Preventive discussions (early stage):

"If someone calls you asking for money, even if they say they are your grandson, hang up and call me."

"No bank asks for codes over the phone."

"If a seller comes to the door, don't sign anything without consulting me."

Lists of safe numbers: Near the phone (you, doctor, bank).

General instruction: "If in doubt, call me first."

6. Limit access to important documents

Keep in a safe place:

Checkbooks, bank cards, savings books.

Contracts, property deeds, life insurance.

Will, donations.

If she searches, explain: "It's safe, I'm managing."

Legal protections {#protections-juridiques}

Why legal protections?

Preventive measures (securing payment methods) are insufficient if:

Moderate to advanced stage: Total inability to manage finances.

Very high risk of scams.

Need for complete management of assets, legal acts.

Legal solutions: Future protection mandate, judicial safeguard, curatorship, guardianship.

1. Future protection mandate

What is it?

Contract established when the person is still capable (early stage, anticipation).

Designates a representative (you, or another trusted person) to manage affairs if future incapacity occurs.

Advantages:

How?

Notary (notarized mandate, advised if significant assets).

Or private deed (written between parties, validated by doctor + lawyer).

Activation: Upon recognized incapacity (medical certificate).

2. Judicial safeguard

What is it?

Temporary measure (max 1 year, renewable for 1 year) to protect a person in immediate need.

No legal representative, but acts can be annulled if harmful.

When?

Emergency: Rapid protection needed (ongoing scam, immediate danger).

Pending guardianship/curatorship (long procedure, safeguard in the meantime).

Advantages:

Quick (doctor declares to the prosecutor).

Light (the person retains autonomy, but with increased security).

Limits:

No active management (no legal representative to manage).

Temporary.

3. Curatorship

What is it?

Assistance: Person retains partial autonomy, but curator assists with important acts.

Types:

Simple curatorship: Assistance for serious acts (selling property, borrowing).

Enhanced curatorship: Curator manages finances (receives income, pays expenses), person retains pocket money.

When?

Moderate stage: Need help managing money, but not total incapacity.

Risk of scams, but still partially capable.

Procedure:

Request to the guardianship judge (family, doctor, prosecutor).

Medical certificate (approved doctor, assesses abilities).

Hearing of the person (if possible) by the judge.

Designation of curator (family, or professional judicial representative).

Advantages:

Balance between autonomy/protection.

Less burdensome than guardianship.

Limits:

No total protection (the person can still make mistakes if the curator is not vigilant).

4. Guardianship

What is it?

Complete representation: Guardian manages all affairs (finances, legal, health).

Person under guardianship: Loses legal autonomy (can no longer sign contracts, manage money alone).

When?

Advanced stage: Total incapacity to manage affairs.

Maximum protection needed.

Types:

Family guardianship: Close relative (you) designated as guardian.

Professional guardianship: Judicial representative (if no family available, or conflicts).

Procedure:

Request to the guardianship judge.

Medical certificate (approved doctor).

Hearing of the person (if the condition allows).

Designation of guardian.

Control: Judge oversees (annual accounts, serious acts authorized by the judge).

Advantages:

Total protection: Scammers can no longer do anything (guardian manages everything).

Maximum financial security.

Limits:

Complete loss of autonomy (can be experienced as infantilization).

Administratively heavy (accounts to be rendered every year).

Cost (if professional guardian, remuneration from assets).

Which protection to choose?

Consult a specialized lawyer (family law, protection of adults) for decision-making assistance.

What to do in case of a confirmed scam {#cas-arnaque}

1. React quickly

As soon as suspicion/discovery of a scam:

Stop the bleeding: Block the card, change codes, cancel transfers if timely.

2. Contact the bank immediately

Report fraud.

Request opposition to disputed payments.

Recovery: The bank can sometimes recover funds (if recent transfer, not yet cashed).

3. File a complaint

Police station or gendarmerie: File a complaint.

Or prosecutor (complaint letter).

Evidence: Bring statements, letters, recordings (if possible).

Complaint = necessary even if chances of recovery are low (statistics, prosecution of scammers).

4. Report the scam

Government platform:

Pharos (reporting illegal internet content).

Fraud Information: 0 805 805 817 (toll-free number, advice).

Report to Bloctel (abusive telemarketing).

5. Cancel abusive contracts

If a contract is signed (door-to-door sale, credit):

Withdrawal period (14 days for distance/home sales): Cancel by registered mail.

If exceeded, contest: Lawyer (defect in consent, abusive clause).

Consumer associations: Help, advice (UFC-Que Choisir, etc.).

6. Psychological support

Victim = shame, guilt.

Reassure: "It's not your fault, you were manipulated."

Do not blame (worsens distress).

If significant distress: Psychologist, support.

7. Strengthen protections

After a scam: Urgently implement protections (curatorship, guardianship if not done yet).

Avoid recurrence.

Advice for caregivers

Balance protection/autonomy

Protect without infantilizing: Difficult.

Family transparency

Inform family (siblings) of measures taken.

Avoid conflicts: Decisions made together if possible.

If guardianship/curatorship: Judge decides (avoids disputes).

Consult professionals

Testimonials

Claire, saved her mother from a scam

"Mom was about to sign a €30,000 insulation contract. I showed up, sent the seller away. I put her under enhanced curatorship. Now I manage finances, she has pocket money, but it's secured. She complained at first, but ultimately relieved."

Marc, scam victim before protection

"Dad gave €10,000 to a fake investment. I filed a complaint, recovered nothing. I requested guardianship immediately after. Now, protected. Too late for that money, but not for the rest."

Sophie, anticipated future protection mandate

"As soon as the Alzheimer’s diagnosis was made, we established a future protection mandate with the notary. My husband designated me. Now, he can no longer manage, but I have legal power without cumbersome procedures. Anticipation = key."

Prevention: better to prevent than to cure

Inform: Family, vigilant surroundings.

Act early = Avoid financial catastrophes.

Conclusion: Financial protection = act of love

Protecting your Alzheimer’s loved one from financial scams is not depriving them of freedom; it is protecting them from unscrupulous predators. With vigilance, preventive measures, and appropriate legal protections, you can secure their assets, preserve their dignity, and spare them distress and devastating financial losses.

The keys to financial protection:

1. ✅ Daily vigilance (statements, behaviors)

2. ✅ Securing payment methods (limits, blocks)

3. ✅ Anticipation (future protection mandate from early stage)

4. ✅ Legal protections (curatorship, guardianship according to stage)

5. ✅ Quick reaction (if scam, act immediately)

6. ✅ Professional support (lawyer, bank, associations)

You are not alone. Our Alzheimer training addresses protection and daily management. EDITH maintains cognitive stimulation. Free guide: All strategies for support.

DYNSEO resources to support you:

Protecting your loved one's money is protecting their life, their future autonomy, their ability to live with dignity. Every euro preserved from scammers is one euro for their care, comfort, and security. You are their shield. And this shield, now more than ever, is necessary. Thank you for being there.