Power of Attorney

[pixiemummy01]

Hi I am concerned about an elderly friend of mine, she is in her 80's.
Her husband died last week, I rang her up to offer condolences as the conversation progressed, she told me a local shopkeeper is her power of Attorney I think this perhaps happened last year, she told me she had been around the shopkeepers house 3 days after her husband's death to discuss money, and they were talking about pooling the money, I thought this was illegal, also my friend has said she has purchased a bungalow but not quite sure where it is, my friend is not capable of independent living, she is in sheltered accommodation and she has memory issues. I am very concerned about this relationship especially as they treat her like royalty! her words!
Should I contact Office of Public Guardian or our local Adult Social services/

I would raise a concern with ss it may be inicent but they will investigate and find out

That is concerning, I think you should definitely raise it. Does your friend have any children?

They should definitely keep finances separate according to this link.
www.psg-law.co.uk/services/court-protection-lpa/lpa/warning-signs-attorney-abusing-position/

www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-6980989/How-report-abuse-complain-power-attorney.html

Even with power of attorney the attorney (shop keeper) has to act in the best interests of the donor (your older friend). For financial matters, if she has capacity, she must consent.

@Lougle

Even with power of attorney the attorney (shop keeper) has to act in the best interests of the donor (your older friend). For financial matters, if she has capacity, she must consent.

I just read this on another thread, the POA should act in the best interests but if they don’t, and no one raises an issue, who would know? Genuinely interested as the info from another poster below is rather alarming!

To say PoA is "well regulated" is a joke. If I want to appoint the woman who lives next door as my attorney, I complete the forms and send them to the Office of the Public Guardian. They will write to her to check she is willing to act. If she is, the documentation will be issued. If she then uses her position to defraud me when I am incapacitated, she will only face consequences if someone realises she is defrauding me and reports it. There is no system of regulation in place to detect fraud

Hello thanks for the replies, no my friend does not have children as far as I know, they were both on the their second marriage, I have a feeling there is a step brother on her side, they told me in confidence a few years ago they had assets of about 750K and in their wills the money was going to various charities. I think I shall contact someone after the Bank Holiday

Get in touch with the Office of the Public Guardian and register a concern. They will investigate.