I went to my bank or credit union and was told that money had been taken out of my account using a power of attorney (POA) I never signed. What can I do?

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I went to my bank or credit union and was told that money had been taken out of my account using a power of attorney (POA) I never signed. What can I do?

Your bank or credit union may have honored a forged power of attorney.

Depending on your state’s POA law and the facts in a given case, your bank may or may not be liable for accepting a forged power of attorney. You can consult with an attorney about your bank’s liability for accepting the forgery.

Contact the branch manager immediately, report that you did not sign the POA, and request that the bank return the missing money to your account. Ask the bank staff to take a sample of your signature and have it notarized. Also, report the unauthorized withdrawal to the bank’s fraud security department, to prevent further theft from your account. Finally, report the theft to local law enforcement, and inform the bank that you are doing so.