There’s a lot of truth in that Bette Davis quote, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.”
Yes, the frictions of time wear on all of us. And, some get walloped by extra challenges, including my friend.
As many know, for five years I’ve been his Conservator and Guardian. In handling his affairs I encounter the normal tribulations of health insurance, home repairs, incorrect utility bills and such.
Yet, I admit surprise at all the attempts to scam away his home and his money.
For example, the mailbox and the phone collect a steady stream of “offers” asking him to sell his home. Two arrived in Saturday’s mail. One bright blue and yellow oversized card (the smallest type is 14 point – a nice touch) proclaiming “We Want To Buy Your House at:…” That’s acceptable business trolling. The day’s other mailing, not so much: “PROPERTY NOTIFICATION URGENT – DO NOT DISREGARD THIS NOTICE …We MUST hear from you soon” in black and white in a format vaguely equivalent to Missouri state government documents.
Even that Notice pales before a couple of others. One envelope said YOU MUST SELL YOUR HOUSE IMMEDIATELY! with a paper inside warning that “Your Home Will Be Sold.”
Or, the phone call my friend received. He handed it to his home care aide who heard “Just say Yes now and we’ll begin transfer procedures.”
Of course, in this Republican time all these “buy cheap” efforts targeting seniors are allowed in the name of free enterprise.
Bothering me more are the investment scams and, well, theft aimed at my friend.
Oh, even in his condition he knows better than to ‘liquidate all his holding’ to buy “investment gold funds.”
Meanwhile, what claims to be a reputable investment firm (they put you before the bovine by-product) has been systematically stealing his money. Somehow years ago he acquired a small four-figure account with this firm. I noticed my first winter handling his affairs that – even though the account had no transactions – they charged a couple of hundred dollars in management fees. In January 2016 I sent a nice letter and a copy of my appointment from the Probate Court nicely asking to liquidate the account. No response. The next winter they took a couple of hundred more. Another letter, no response. Letter from his lawyer, again nothing.
Last winter I tried the direct approach, putting on my best Clayton clothes and visiting the firm’s offices in a fancy high rise. The warm receptionist made a call and then brushed me off: that’s handled by the ‘service center’ in New Jersey. The local office has nothing to do with the account.
Again, letter sent with no reply.
This year the matter ends. After they took their management fees last month the account value dropped to $46.95. Yes, they’d “fee-ed” the account away.
Alas, spending thousands on legal fees to make this right just isn’t cost effective. The crooks win. I suspect my friend isn’t their only pigeon.
Still, like that old Greek king, seniors – and their friends – have to keep pushing that damn rock. One slip and much can be lost.
Glenn