Fake Power of Attorney Document Scam via Wire Transfer and Notary Fees
Scammers draft fraudulent power of attorney documents for elderly or vulnerable victims and collect 'notary,' 'filing,' or 'legal processing' fees by wire transfer, gaining control of the victim's finances or property.
Part of: Fake Power of Attorney Document Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Because power of attorney documents grant sweeping legal authority over someone's finances, healthcare, and property, they are a high-value target for fraud. Scammers frequently insert an upfront wire transfer payment step into the process, framing it as a routine legal or notarization cost, to both extract money and get the victim to sign away control.
How this scam works on wire transfer / notary fee payment
A scammer posing as an estate planner, elder-care advisor, or 'document preparation service' contacts a target — often an elderly person or a family managing an aging relative's affairs — offering to draft a power of attorney quickly and cheaply. Before sending the document, they request a wire transfer for 'notary certification,' 'state filing,' or 'expedited registration' fees, none of which are real requirements.
In a more damaging variant, the victim is pressured to wire the fee and then sign a document that in fact grants the scammer or an accomplice broad financial power of attorney, which is then used to drain bank accounts, refinance property, or redirect pension payments — with the wire transfer serving as the scammer's alibi that the victim 'paid for a legitimate legal service.'
Common red flags
- Request to wire a 'notary' or 'filing' fee directly to an individual rather than a licensed attorney's trust account
- Pressure to sign the power of attorney quickly, without independent legal review
- Document preparer cannot be verified as a licensed attorney or notary in your state
- Wire transfer requested to a personal account rather than a business or law firm account
- Power of attorney grants broader authority (financial, property, healthcare) than was originally discussed
- No independent witness or licensed notary physically present during signing
How to protect yourself
- Have any power of attorney drafted and reviewed by a licensed attorney, not an unverified 'document service'
- Never wire money to an individual for notarization or filing — legitimate notary fees are small and paid locally, often in cash or card
- Read the entire power of attorney document carefully, or have a trusted third party review it, before signing
- Verify the preparer's license number with your state bar association
- Insist on in-person signing with an independent notary you choose, not one supplied by the other party
- Set up a trusted family member or advisor to review any legal document before an elderly relative signs
How to report it
- Report to your state Attorney General's consumer protection office
- Report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) if a wire transfer was involved
- Contact your bank immediately to attempt a wire recall if payment was just sent
- Report suspected elder financial exploitation to your local Adult Protective Services
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to wire money for a power of attorney fee?
No. Legitimate attorney and notary fees are typically paid by check or card directly to a licensed firm, not wired to an individual. A wire transfer request for POA processing is a strong warning sign.
What should I do if I already signed under pressure?
Contact an attorney immediately about revoking the power of attorney, and notify your bank and any relevant institutions that a fraudulent POA may be in circulation.