I am trying to help sibling with Alzheimer's turn off any unnecessary automatic bill payments. Once she moves to AL, utilities can be closed with no problem, but it's the unknown / forgotten / infrequent automatic payments I'm having trouble tracking down. I found three on her latest credit card statement. I only have medical POA and companies are hesitant to talk. She has also changed credit cards a few times in last year - not sure why. I'd try to look through old statements but they are in total disarray. What might be best way to get this information?
Some banks, WellsFargo for sure, have a feature where you can check all automatic payments. In WF, it's called the Tower. It will give you the company getting the payment and the last 4 digits of the credit card its charged to.
You need to freeze those accounts. As long as she has a balance, she is paying finance charges monthly if not paying the full amount monthly. She has to at least pay the minimum payment on time.
I don't see where you need to go back into her statements. Her most recent should show automated payments. Some you may be able to figure out like utilities others the Credit Card company can give you the info. If sister is still capable, she can tell the rep its OK to talk to you. Once you find out the info, you can call these people and ask that the auto payment be stopped because you are shutting down the account. They will need to start sending a billing. If your able to pay off the account and close it, you will definitely hear from the people who pull from her account monthly. Then you can go from there.
So sorry you were not given financial POA when you were assigned Medical. Its a great tool when you need it. You may have to get guardianship which can be expensive but an expense sister can pay out of her money.