A Power of Attorney (POA) can be really helpful—it lets someone you trust manage your finances if you can’t.

But it’s not something you set and forget. Without clear limits, things can go wrong.

Common POA abuse

• Taking money without your ok

• Making changes you didn’t ask for

• Using your money for their own benefit

What can happen

Jessica gave her nephew Power of Attorney to help pay bills after a surgery. At first, everything worked just fine. 

But over time, he started using her account for his own expenses—small amounts at first, then more. Jessica didn’t notice right away but by the time she did, a lot of her money was already gone.

How to protect yourself

• Choose someone you truly trust
• Set limits on what they can do
• Keep an eye on your accounts (account alerts can help)
• Check in regularly and update your POA as things change over time 

Visit our Fraud Prevention Center for the latest updates on common scams and how to spot them.