Thousands Charged, Questions Raised After Elderly Woman’s Card Flagged for Suspicious Use

It began with a call from a bank — and quickly turned into a troubling look at who may have been spending thousands of dollars tied to a 91-year-old woman with dementia. According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched after a family member reported possible theft involving the credit card of an elderly woman who requires daily care. The woman’s son told deputies his mother lives alone and suffers from dementia. He said she receives daily assistance from a home health caregiver who lives next door in a garage apartment, with rent offset by the care being provided. The son reported he was recently contacted by the bank regarding suspicious activity on his mother’s credit card. A review of statements showed more than $4,400 in charges over roughly three months, all tied to online purchases. He told deputies the caregiver does have permission to use the card — but only for groceries for his mother. He said the total amount spent immediately raised red flags, given that the purchases were being made for a single elderly woman. The son, who holds full Power of Attorney due to his mother’s condition, provided court documentation confirming his authority. He also supplied a detailed list of the online transactions for review and completed a sworn statement. Deputies followed up with Walmart, which confirmed that at least two online purchases were made through an account linked to the caregiver, using the elderly woman’s credit card. Those transactions included Christmas decorations, household décor, an American flag, a battery jumper pack, and a cat tree, along with some grocery items. When deputies relayed that information back to the son, he said his mother does not own a vehicle and does not have a cat, making several of the items appear inconsistent with authorized use. He acknowledged that grocery items were likely purchased for his mother but said the remaining items would not have been for her. Deputies advised they would continue working to obtain additional transaction records and receipts tied to the remaining charges, particularly those made online, where detailed records were not immediately available. The investigation remains ongoing as deputies work to determine whether the purchases crossed the line from authorized assistance into financial exploitation. Cases involving vulnerable adults are treated with heightened concern, and deputies urge families and caregivers to report irregular financial activity as soon as it is discovered.

Related Content

Crack-Smoking Mom? Motel Mystery Deepens After Bizarre Calls to Red Roof Inn

Tire Iron Assault Reported on Gallia Street