How do I protect a relative with dementia from scams?
Protecting a person with dementia requires a combination of legal safeguards, practical account controls, and social supports because cognitive decline removes the filters that help most people recognize manipulation.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Dementia progressively impairs the ability to evaluate unfamiliar situations, remember prior warnings, and resist social pressure. A person with moderate dementia may engage warmly with a scam caller, hand over payment details without awareness of risk, and have no memory of the transaction afterward. Scammers specifically seek out cognitively impaired individuals because they are less likely to report incidents and less likely to remember details that would help investigators.
Legal safeguards are the foundation. A durable power of attorney allows a trusted person to manage finances proactively. A trusted contact designation on bank and investment accounts lets the institution alert a family member if concerning activity is observed. Some families work with the bank to require a second signatory for transfers above a threshold.
Practical controls complement legal safeguards. Call-blocking apps and do-not-call registration reduce inbound scam calls. Limiting access to large amounts of cash or high-limit credit cards reduces the maximum possible loss. Mail forwarding to a family member's address prevents isolation and allows interception of fraudulent solicitations.
Social engagement matters too. Isolation is both a risk factor for scam targeting and a consequence of cognitive decline. Regular contact with trusted family and friends, and engagement with social programs through an adult day center or senior center, keeps others aware of the individual's circumstances and reduces the impact of scammers who rely on secrecy.
Common red flags
- Unfamiliar charges appearing on bank or credit card statements
- Large cash withdrawals or gift card purchases that cannot be explained
- New 'friends' who appear suddenly and ask for financial help or gifts
- Mail containing sweepstakes entries, lottery claims, or charity solicitations
- Phone calls that leave the person confused, distressed, or secretive about money
- Signed documents or agreements the person does not remember making
What to do now
- Consult an elder-law attorney to establish a durable power of attorney while the person still has legal capacity
- Add a trusted contact at each financial institution so the bank can alert you to unusual activity
- Enable call-blocking apps and do-not-call registration on all household phones
- Forward mail to your address or review it regularly to catch fraudulent solicitations
- Set low daily spending limits on debit cards and remove high-limit credit access
- Report any financial exploitation to Adult Protective Services in your state
Frequently asked questions
What is a trusted contact at a bank?
A trusted contact is a person the account holder designates — separate from a power of attorney — whom the financial institution can contact if it suspects exploitation, abuse, or that the account holder may lack capacity. It does not give the trusted contact authority to access the account.
What should I do if I think my relative with dementia already sent money to a scammer?
Act quickly. Contact the bank to report a potentially unauthorized transaction and ask about recall procedures for wire transfers. Report to Adult Protective Services (1-800-677-1116 through the Eldercare Locator) and to the FTC. Document all transactions you find. A certified elder-law attorney can advise on next steps.