Had the same issues with my parents before I moved them to a CH. My Dad couldn't work out where the decimel points went so happily paid £300 for two hours gardening when it should have been £30. There were lots of other examples. Unfortunately there are far too many unscrupulous individuals who are happy to take the money and run away laughing.
Now they are in a CH and I have full control of the finances it's much less stressful but before that I:
- put everything I could on Direct Debit. They were in agreement with this and thought it sensible so that was OK.
- Asked my bank manager - at the same bank which was handy - to keep an eye on my parents accounts and stop any large, unexpected transactions before they went through. They were happy to do this and it is a common request apparently.
- Took down details of all of my parents accounts and credit cards. Was extremely useful when it came to the time I had to take full control.
- Cancelled the issuing of cheque books at the bank. When my parents queried that they hadn't received a cheque book I just said that cheques were being phased out but I'd ask the bank about it. This appeased them.
I think that's about as much as you can do unfortunately. Very difficult situation I know
Now they are in a CH and I have full control of the finances it's much less stressful but before that I:
- put everything I could on Direct Debit. They were in agreement with this and thought it sensible so that was OK.
- Asked my bank manager - at the same bank which was handy - to keep an eye on my parents accounts and stop any large, unexpected transactions before they went through. They were happy to do this and it is a common request apparently.
- Took down details of all of my parents accounts and credit cards. Was extremely useful when it came to the time I had to take full control.
- Cancelled the issuing of cheque books at the bank. When my parents queried that they hadn't received a cheque book I just said that cheques were being phased out but I'd ask the bank about it. This appeased them.
I think that's about as much as you can do unfortunately. Very difficult situation I know