A few weeks ago, two people were charged with defrauding an elderly woman in Clearview Township. They managed to commit the fraud through an abuse of a power of attorney.
There is a specific Criminal Code offence of theft by power of attorney. Section 331 of the Code states:
“331 Every one commits theft who, being entrusted, whether solely or jointly with another person, with a power of attorney for the sale, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of real or personal property, fraudulently sells, mortgages, pledges or otherwise disposes of the property or any part of it, or fraudulently converts the proceeds of a sale, mortgage, pledge or other disposition of the property, or any part of the proceeds, to a purpose other than that for which he was entrusted by the power of attorney.”
If you sign a power of attorney, it is very important to choose the right person to act for you. While none of us can control what that person ultimately does, the most important first step is picking someone who will always keep your best interest in mind – and not treat your money as their bank account, or decide to take what they consider their inheritance a little early.
