Consumer Financial

Protection Bureau

MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

Help for trustees under a 

revocable living trust 

in Georgia

HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 1 

About the Consumer Financial 

Protection Bureau

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, is focused 

on making markets for consumer financial products and services 

work for families — whether they are applying for a mortgage, 

choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other 

consumer financial products. We empower consumers to take 

more control over their financial lives. 

The CFPB Office for Older Americans is the only federal office 

dedicated to the financial health of Americans age 62 and over. 

Along with other agencies, the Office works to support sound 

financial decision-making and to prevent financial exploitation 

of older adults. To help people (including family members) with 

legal authority to handle an older person’s money, the Office 

contracted and worked closely with the American Bar Association 

Commission on Law and Aging (ABA Commission) and state 

professionals to prepare this guide.* 

Though the guide was developed by the ABA Commission, it is 

not intended to provide legal advice or serve as a substitute for 

your own legal counsel. If you have questions or concerns, 

we recommend that you seek the guidance of the appropriate 

legal professional.

* Georgia state professionals who worked on this guide are Jamie F. Clark, Jeffrey 

L. Williamson, Jim Swain, and Natalie K. Thomas.
2 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 3 

What’s inside

About the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau�������������������������������������������������������1

Why read this guide? ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������5

What is a fiduciary? 6

Revocable living trust questions and answers 6

Four basic duties of a fiduciary ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9

Duty 1 | Act only in Rose’s best interest 9

Duty 2 | Manage the money and property in the trust carefully 10

Duty 3 | Keep the trust property separate from yours 12

Duty 4 | Keep good records 13

More things you should know����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14

What if there are other fiduciaries? 14

Government benefits require special fiduciaries 15

More than one beneficiary? 15

How can you avoid problems with family or friends? 15

What should you know about working with professionals? 16

Watch out for financial exploitation �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17

Look for these common signs of financial exploitation 17

What can you do if Rose has been exploited? 18

Be on guard for consumer scams ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������19

How can you protect Rose from scams? 19

What can you do if Rose has been scammed? 20

Where to go for help �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22

Local and state agencies 22

Federal agencies 23

For legal help 24

For accounting help 25
4 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 5 

Why read this guide? 

Like many people, you may never have been a trustee under a revocable living 

trust before. That’s why we created Managing someone else’s money: Help 

for trustees under a revocable living trust in Georgia. This guide will help you 

understand what you can and cannot do in your role as a trustee. In that role, you 

are a fiduciary. For this guide, a fiduciary is anyone named to manage money or 

property for someone else. You’ll find brief tips to help you avoid problems and 

resources for finding more information. 

This guide is for family and friends serving as a trustee, not for professionals or 

organizations. The guide does not give you legal advice. Talk to a lawyer if you 

have questions about your duties.

If you want to learn about making a revocable living trust, this guide is not 

designed for you. Beware of just picking up a pre-printed trust form. It‘s best to talk 

to a lawyer.

Let’s start with a scenario about how you might have 

become a trustee:

Your family member or friend is worried that she will get sick and will not 

be able to pay her bills or make other decisions about her savings and 

her house. For this guide, we will call her Rose. Rose has signed a legal 

document called a living trust. In it, she names you as her trustee. 

When she set up the trust, she should have transferred ownership of 

some or all her money and property from her name to the name of 

the trust. As her trustee, you now have the power to make decisions for 

Rose’s benefit about the money and property in the trust. 

The law gives you a lot of responsibility. You are now a fiduciary with 

fiduciary duties.
6 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

What is a fiduciary? 

Since you have been named to manage money or property for 

someone else, you are a fiduciary. The law requires you to manage 

the money and property in the trust for Rose’s benefit, not yours. 

It does not matter if you are managing a lot of money or a little. It 

does not matter if you are a family member or not.

The role of a fiduciary carries with it legal responsibilities. When 

you act as a fiduciary for Rose, you have four basic duties that you 

must keep in mind:

1. Act only in Rose’s best interest.

2. Manage the money and property in the trust carefully.

3. Keep the trust property separate from yours.

4. Keep good records.

As a fiduciary, you must be trustworthy, honest, and act in good 

faith. If you do not meet these standards, you could be removed 

as a fiduciary, sued, or you might have to repay money. It is even 

possible that the police or sheriff could investigate you and you 

could go to jail. 

That’s why it’s always important to remember: It is not 

your money!

Revocable living trust questions 

and answers 

What is a revocable living trust?

A revocable living trust is a legal document. Rose made a 

revocable living trust to give you legal authority to make 

decisions about her money or property in the trust if she cannot 

make decisions herself because she is sick or injured. She also 

made the revocable living trust to say who will get her money or 

property after she dies. In this guide we use “living trust” or “trust” 

as shorthand for “revocable living trust.”

There are three roles under a revocable living trust.

Different types of 

fiduciaries exist

In your role as trustee, you 

may act as or deal with 

other types of fiduciaries. 

These may include: 

Agents under a power of 

attorney—someone names 

an agent to manage their 

money and property in case 

they are not able to do it.

Representative payees

or, for veterans, VA 

fiduciaries—a government 

agency names them to 

manage government money 

that is paid to someone. 

Conservators—a court 

names them to manage 

money and property for 

someone who needs help. 

Other guides explaining 

the duties of these 

fiduciaries are at: www.

consumerfinance.gov/

managing-someone-elsesmoney. 
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 7 

§ The person who makes the trust may be called the settlor, 

grantor, or trustor. 

§ The person who makes decisions about the money or property 

in the revocable living trust is called the trustee. A trustee 

can be an individual or a financial institution. If there is more 

than one, they are co-trustees. A successor trustee may also 

be named and acts only if a trustee can no longer fulfill that 

role. Rose can name herself as trustee and you as co-trustee 

immediately, or you may be a successor trustee who can act 

when she can no longer make decisions. 

§ A person who receives money or property from the 

revocable living trust is called a beneficiary. Rose may be 

the only beneficiary while she is alive, or she may name cobeneficiaries who receive some money or property from the 

revocable living trust before she dies. The people who receive 

money or benefits from the revocable living trust after Rose 

dies are called residuary beneficiaries.

When does a trustee’s authority begin?

A trustee’s authority begins only when the trust says that authority 

begins. For example, the trust might specify that you can make 

decisions about the money and property only after Rose has lost 

the capacity to manage her property on her own.

What property does a trustee manage?

The trustee has authority only over property actually transferred 

to the revocable living trust. A living trust is ineffective unless 

Rose puts her money or property into it. In Georgia, Rose must 

change ownership of her money or property from her name to 

the name of the trustee who holds the property for the revocable 

living trust. You will have the legal authority to spend and invest 

the money and property in the revocable living trust for the 

benefit of Rose and any other beneficiaries as the trust directs. 

You do not have legal authority over any money or property that 

is not in the trust.

Don’t expect others to 

know what a trustee is or 

does. 

They may not understand 

that you have been named 

as a trustee. They may 

think that you have more 

authority or less authority 

than you really have. You 

may need to educate them. 

You could show them 

this guide.
8 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

Can a revocable living trust be changed or revoked?

As long as Rose still can make her own decisions and the terms of the trust allow 

her to do so, she can change or end (revoke) the revocable living trust. Revocable 

trusts typically become irrevocable when certain events identified in the trust 

happen, such as when Rose becomes incapacitated or dies.

When do your responsibilities end?

Your authority and responsibilities end if:

§ Rose names a new trustee

§ Rose revokes the trust

§ The terms of the trust say it ends at a given point in time

§ A court removes you as trustee 

What if you think a change in the trust was a result of fraud 

or abuse?

If you think Rose does not understand the decision to take away your authority or 

end the trust, then talk to a lawyer, contact adult protective services, or call the 

police or sheriff. 

Aren’t there other types of trusts?

Yes. Other types of trusts exist and people have different reasons for making trusts. 

This guide only covers living trusts. 

Living trusts most likely have family or a friend as a trustee. Other types of trust often 

have professional trustees, such as a lawyer or bank trust officer. 
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 9 

Four basic duties of 

a fiduciary 

Duty 1 | Act only in Rose’s best interest

Because you are dealing with the trust’s money and property, 

your duty is to make decisions that are best for Rose and any cobeneficiaries. This means you must ignore your own interests and 

needs, or the interests and needs of other people. 

To help act in Rose’s best interest, follow these guidelines: 

§ Read the living trust document and do what it says. 

Your authority is limited to what the document and state law 

permit. There may be duties required by state law even if they 

are not in the living trust document. Talk to a lawyer if there is 

anything you don’t understand. Follow Rose’s directions in the 

trust document even if you have the best intentions in wanting 

to do something different. 

§ Understand when your duty as trustee becomes effective.

The living trust may say that you become a trustee or a cotrustee right away or only when Rose can no longer make her 

own decisions. Check to see if the document says how you will 

know when Rose can no longer make her own decisions. If you 

are still unsure, get legal advice.

§ Avoid conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest happens if you 

make a decision about Rose’s money or property in the trust 

that might benefit you or someone else at Rose’s expense. As 

a fiduciary, you have a strict duty to avoid conflicts of interest. 

If you are uncertain about whether a conflict of interest exists, 

seek legal advice.

Avoid possible 

conflicts of interest

Sometimes people have 

good intentions, but do 

things they shouldn’t. 

Because you are now a 

fiduciary, you should avoid 

any conflicts of interest. 

Here are a few examples 

of possible conflicts 

of interest:

Should you sell trust assets 

to yourself?

Selling trust assets to 

yourself is usually seen as 

a conflict of interest (called 

self-dealing). Talk to a 

lawyer before doing this.

Should you do business 

with family? 

Like most people, Rose 

needs homeowners’ 

insurance. Because your 

spouse sells insurance, 

you decide to buy Rose’s 

insurance from him without 

shopping around for better 

coverage or prices from 

other insurance agents. 

This may be a conflict 

of interest.
10 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

§ Don’t borrow, loan, or give the trust’s money to yourself or others. Even if the 

trust document allows gifts or loans, consider whether the trust can afford the 

gifts or loans, and whether they are in line with what Rose would have wanted. 

A lawyer can advise you on any effects on Rose’s taxes or on her plans to give 

away her property when she dies. 

§ Avoid changing Rose’s plans for giving away her money or property when 

she dies. There may be rare situations in which changing Rose’s plans would be 

in her best interest. But you should get legal advice to make sure that the trust 

document or state law allows that. 

§ Don’t pay yourself for the time you spend acting as Rose’s trustee, unless 

the living trust or state law allows it. If the trust document doesn’t provide for 

compensation, the Georgia law provides payment guidelines. But the trustee 

may have to get consent from all beneficiaries or get court approval. If you are 

allowed to pay yourself, you need to show that your fee is reasonable. Carefully 

document how much time you spend and what you do.

Duty 2 | Manage the money and property in the 

trust carefully 

As Rose’s trustee, you might pay bills, oversee bank accounts, and pay for things she 

needs. You might also make investments, pay taxes, collect rent or unpaid debts, get 

insurance if needed, and do other things written in the living trust or required by 

state law. 

You have a duty to manage the money and property in the trust very carefully. Use 

good judgment and common sense. As a fiduciary, you must be even more careful 

with the trust’s money than you might be with your own! 

Follow these guidelines to help you make careful decisions:

§ List the trust’s money, property, and debts. You need to know what Rose’s trust 

owns and owes to make careful decisions. Your list might include:

ú Checking and savings accounts

ú Cash

ú Pension, retirement, annuity, rental, public benefit, or other income

ú Real estate

ú Cars and other vehicles
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 11 

ú Insurance policies

ú Stocks and bonds 

ú Jewelry, furniture, and any other items of value

ú Unpaid credit card bills and other outstanding loans

Georgia law requires you to share the list with qualified beneficiaries, defined 

by Georgia law. The trust document may also require you to share the list with 

certain others.

§ Protect the trust’s property. Keep the trust’s money and property safe. You may 

need to put valuable items in safe deposit boxes, change locks on property, and 

make sure her home or other property is insured. Make sure bank accounts earn 

interest if possible and have low or no fees. Review bank and other financial 

statements promptly. If the trust has real estate, keep it in good condition. 

§ Invest carefully. Talk to a financial professional or lawyer about safe and legal 

ways to invest the trust’s assets. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 

provides tips on choosing a financial professional at www.sec.gov/investor/

alerts/ib_top_tips.pdf. Discuss choices and goals for investing based on Rose’s 

needs and values. 

§ Pay bills and taxes on time. 

§ Cancel any insurance policies that Rose does not need. 

§ Collect debts. Find out if anyone owes the trust money, and try to collect it.
12 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

Duty 3 | Keep the trust property separate from yours

Never mix money or property in Rose’s trust with your own or someone else’s. 

Mixing money or property makes it unclear who owns what. Confused records can 

get you in trouble with Rose’s family and also with government agencies such as 

adult protective services and the police or sheriff. 

Follow these guidelines: 

§ Separate means separate. Never deposit the trust’s money into your own or 

someone else’s bank account or investment account. 

§ Never hold title to the trust’s money and property in your own name. Every 

document should show the owner of the assets as either the Rose Roe Living 

Trust or your name as trustee of the Rose Roe Living Trust. This is so other 

people can see right away that the money and property belongs to the trust and 

not to you. 

§ Know how to sign as trustee. Sign all checks and other documents relating to 

the trust’s money or property to show that you are Rose’s trustee. For example, 

Can Rose get any benefits?

Find out if Rose is eligible for any financial or health care benefits from 

an employer or a government. These benefits might include pensions, 

disability, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits, housing 

assistance, or food stamps (now known as Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program or SNAP). Use the National Council on Aging benefits 

check-up at: www.BenefitsCheckUp.org.

Help her apply for those benefits. The Area Agency on Aging where Rose 

lives can help you find information. Find the local Area Agency on Aging 

through the Georgia Department of Human Services at aging.georgia.

gov/local-area-agencies-aging-aaas.

Medicaid is complicated

Get legal advice and be very careful about decisions that may affect 

Rose’s eligibility for Medicaid. The Medicaid program provides medical 

assistance and long-term care to low-income people. For information, 

visit: dch.georgia.gov/medicaid.
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 13 

you might sign “John Doe, as trustee for the Rose Roe Living Trust.” Never just 

sign “Rose Roe.” 

§ Pay Rose’s expenses from the trust funds, not yours. Spending your money and 

then paying yourself back makes it hard to keep good records. If you really need 

to use your money, keep receipts for the expense and maintain a good record of 

why, what, and when you paid yourself back.

Duty 4 | Keep good records

You must keep true and complete records of the money and property in Rose’s 

living trust. Georgia law requires you to provide a report to qualified beneficiaries 

annually and at other points in time, such as when the person who made the trust 

dies or becomes incapacitated. The annual report should identify the trust assets 

and their value and show all financial transactions during the reporting period.

Practice good record keeping habits:

§ Keep a detailed list of everything the trust receives and spends. Records 

should include amount of checks written or deposited, dates, reasons, names 

of people or companies involved, and other important information. 

§ Keep receipts and notes, even for small expenses. For example, write “$50, 

groceries, ABC Grocery Store, May 2” in your records, soon after you spend 

the money. 

§ Avoid paying in cash. Try not to pay Rose’s expenses with cash. Also, try not to 

use an ATM card to withdraw cash or write checks to “Cash.” If you need to use 

cash, be sure to keep receipts and notes. 

§ Getting paid? If you are being paid as trustee, be sure you are charging 

a reasonable fee and following any payment instructions in the trust. 

Keep detailed records, as you go along, of what work you did, how much time 

it took, when you did it, and why you did it.
14 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

More things you should know

What if there are other fiduciaries?

Co-trustees

Rose may have named herself as co-trustee with you. Or she may have named 

someone else to act as co-trustee with you. If there are co-trustees, Georgia law 

requires that decisions be unanimous. If a co-trustee becomes unable to act, the 

remaining trustees may act as if they were the only trustees when necessary to 

carry out the trust.

Either way, you must coordinate with any co-trustee and share information about 

decisions. Even if you and a co-trustee don’t agree on all decisions, you cannot let 

a co-trustee do something that harms Rose. You are still responsible for her and 

must act in her best interest.

Successor trustees

Rose may have named a successor trustee to act for her if you are not able to be 

the trustee. A successor trustee has no authority if you are still willing and able to 

act as trustee.

Other types of fiduciaries

Other fiduciaries may have authority to make decisions for Rose. For example, 

she may have a conservator, a representative payee who handles Social Security 

benefits, or a VA fiduciary who handles veterans benefits. It is important to work 

with these other fiduciaries, and keep them informed.
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 15 

Government benefits require special fiduciaries

As a trustee, you cannot manage Rose’s government benefits such as Social 

Security or Veterans benefits, unless: 

1. Her benefits are paid directly into her trust.

2. You have been appointed by the government agency as, for example, a 

representative payee or VA Fiduciary to handle these benefits. For more 

information about management of government benefits, contact the 

government agency.

More than one beneficiary?

If Rose named more than one beneficiary of her living trust, then you have fiduciary 

duties to each beneficiary. The living trust document should say what your duties 

are to the beneficiaries. In carrying out those duties, you have to consider the 

purposes, provisions, distribution requirements, and other circumstances of 

the trust.

You must always be impartial when you carry out your duties as Rose’s trustee. 

You cannot show any bias toward any one beneficiary. Because each beneficiary’s 

needs are different, you do not have to treat everyone the same. But you must act 

in each beneficiary’s best interest in an unbiased way. 

Talk to a lawyer about what your duties are if Rose’s trust has named more than 

one beneficiary.

How can you avoid problems with family or friends?

Family or friends may not agree with your decisions about money and property 

in Rose’s trust. To help reduce any friction, follow the four duties described above 

and the guidelines we’ve given you. 

Sharing information with certain beneficiaries is required by Georgia law. Sharing 

information with other family or friends may help to avoid conflict, if permitted by 

the terms of the the trust. For example, you might want to share any accountings 

you prepare or summaries of how you’ve spent the trust’s money, unless Rose has 

said you should not. Georgia law requires you to share accountings with certain 

beneficiaries. It usually is easier to deal with questions about a decision when it 
16 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

happens than to deal with suspicion and anger that may build over a long time. In 

the end, you have to make the final decisions. 

Some family or friends may be so difficult that it is better not to share information 

with them, unless required. Use your best judgment. 

If family or friends don’t agree with your decisions, try to get someone to help sort 

it out—for example, a family counselor or mediator. See Where to go for help on 

page 22 of this guide.

What should you know about working with professionals?

In managing the trust’s affairs, you may need help from professionals such as 

lawyers, brokers, financial advisors, accountants, real estate agents, appraisers, 

psychologists, social workers, doctors, nurses, or care managers. You can pay 

them with money from the trust. 

If you need help from any professionals, remember these tips: 

§ Check on the professional’s qualifications. Many professionals must be licensed 

or registered by a government agency. Check credentials with the government 

agency. Make sure the license or registration is current and the professional is in 

good standing. Check the person’s complaint history.

§ Interview the professional thoroughly and ask questions.

§ Review contracts carefully before signing. Before hiring any professionals, get 

their proposed plan of work and expected fee.

§ Make your own decisions based on facts and advice. Listen to their advice, but 

remember you are the decision-maker. 
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 17 

Watch out for financial exploitation 

Family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, fiduciaries, business people, and others 

may try to take advantage of Rose. They may take her money without permission, 

neglect to repay money they owe, charge her too much for services, or just not 

do things she has paid them to do. If any of these happen, it may be examples of 

financial exploitation or financial abuse. As Rose’s trustee, you should help protect 

her and know the signs of financial exploitation for five important reasons:

1. Rose may still control some of her funds and could be exploited.

2. Even if Rose does not control any of her funds, she still may be exploited.

3. Rose may have been exploited already, and you may still be able to do 

something about that.

4. People may try to take advantage of you as Rose’s trustee.

5. Knowing what to look for will help you avoid doing things you should not do, 

protecting you from claims that you have exploited Rose.

Look for these common signs of financial exploitation

§ You think that some money or property is missing.

§ Rose says that some money or property is missing.

§ You notice sudden changes in Rose’s spending or savings. 

For example, she:

ú Takes out lots of money from the bank without explanation

ú Tries to wire large amounts of money

ú Uses the ATM a lot

ú Is not able to pay bills that are usually paid 

ú Buys things or services that don’t seem necessary 

ú Puts names on bank or other accounts that you do not recognize or that she 

is unwilling or unable to explain
What can you do if Rose has been exploited?

§ Call the emergency 911 number if Rose is in immediate danger. 

§ Call Georgia Adult Protective Services (APS). The role of APS is to 

investigate reports and to provide or arrange for services to victims. 

§ If you think that Rose has been or will be the victim of a crime, call the 

local police or sheriff. 

§ Alert Rose’s bank or credit card company.

§ Call the local district attorney or the local solicitor general. Also call the 

Attorney General of Georgia.

§ Call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or the Medicaid Fraud 

Control Unit if Rose is in a nursing home or assisted living. 

§ Consider talking to a lawyer about protecting Rose from more 

exploitation or getting back money or property taken from her. 

§ Each agency or professional has a different role, so you may need to 

call more than one. For more information, see Where to go for help on 

page 22 of this guide.

18 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

ú Does not get bank statements or bills 

ú Makes new or unusual gifts to family or others, such as a “new best friend” 

ú Changes beneficiaries of a will, life insurance, or retirement funds

ú Has a caregiver, friend, or relative who suddenly begins handling her money

§ Rose says she is afraid or seems afraid of a relative, caregiver, or friend.

§ A relative, caregiver, friend, or someone else keeps Rose from having visitors 

or phone calls, does not let her speak for herself, or seems to be controlling 

her decisions.
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 19 

Be on guard for consumer scams 

As Rose’s trustee, you should be alert to protect her money from consumer scams 

as well as financial exploitation. Criminals and con artists have many scams and 

change them all the time. They often seek unsuspecting people who have access 

to money. Learn to spot consumer scams against Rose—and against you as 

her trustee. 

How can you protect Rose from scams?

Consumer scams happen on the phone; through the mail, e-mail, or the Internet 

and they occur in person, at home, or at a business. Here are some tips: 

§ Help Rose put her number on the National Do Not Call Registry. 

Go to www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. 

§ Don’t share numbers or passwords for Rose’s accounts, credit cards, or Social 

Security, unless you know whom you’re dealing with and why they need 

the information. 

§ After hearing a sales pitch, take time to compare prices. Ask for information in 

writing and read it carefully. 

§ Too good to be true? Ask yourself why someone is trying so hard to give you a 

“great deal.” If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

§ Watch out for deals that are only “good today” and that pressure you to act 

quickly. Be suspicious if you are not given enough time to read a contract or get 

legal advice before signing. Also watch out if you are told that you need to pay 

the seller quickly, for example by wiring the money or sending it by courier. 

§ Never pay up front for a promised prize. Suspect a scam if you are required to 

pay fees or taxes to receive a prize or other financial windfall. 
What can you do if Rose has been scammed?

If you suspect a scam, get help. Contact a local, state, or federal agency, 

depending on the type of scam. You may also need to talk to a lawyer. 

Local agencies to call are the area agency on aging, the police or sheriff, 

or the Better Business Bureau. 

State agencies to call are Adult Protective Services, the Long-Term Care 

Ombudsman Program, or the Georgia Attorney General. 

Call a federal agency if scammers are in other states or countries. 

Federal agencies are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the FBI, 

the Federal Trade Commission, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. 

Each of these agencies and professionals has a different role so you may 

need to call more than one. 

For more information, see Where to go for help on page 22 of this guide.

20 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

§ Watch for signs Rose already has been scammed. For example, does she 

receive a lot of mail or e-mail for sweepstakes? Has she paid people you don’t 

know, especially in other states or countries? Has she taken a lot of money out of 

the bank while she was with someone she recently met? Does she have a hard 

time explaining how she spent that money? Is she suddenly unable to pay for 

food, medicine, or utilities?
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 21 

SCAM TYPES DESCRIPTION

Relative in need Someone who pretends to be a family member or friend calls or 

e-mails you to say they are in trouble and need you to wire money 

right away.

Charity appeals You get a call or letter from someone asking for money for a fake 

charity—either the charity does not exist or the charity did not call or 

write to you.

Lottery or 

sweepstakes

You get a call or e-mail that you have a chance to win a lot of money 

through a foreign country’s sweepstakes or lottery. The caller will offer 

tips about how to win if you pay a fee or buy something. Or the caller 

or e-mail says you already have won and you must give your bank 

account information or pay a fee to collect your winnings.

Home 

improvement

Scammers take money for repairs and then they never return to do the 

work or they do bad work. Sometimes they break something to create 

more work or they say that things need work when they don’t.

Free lunch Scammers invite you to a free lunch and seminar, and then pressure 

you to give them information about your money, and to invest the 

money with them. They offer you “tips” or “guaranteed returns.”

Free trip Scammers say you’ve won a free trip but they ask for a credit card 

number or advance cash to hold the reservation.

Government 

money

You get a call or letter that seems to be from a government agency. 

Scammers say that if you give a credit card number or send a money 

order, you can apply for government help with housing, home repairs, 

utilities, or taxes.

Drug plans

Scammers pretend they are with Medicare prescription drug plans, 

and try to sell Medicare discount drug cards that are not valid. 

Companies with Medicare drug plans are not allowed to send 

unsolicited mail, emails, or phone calls.

Identity theft

Scammers steal personal information—such as a name, date of birth, 

Social Security number, account number, and mother’s maiden name—

and use the information to open credit cards or get a mortgage in 

someone else’s name.

Fake “official” mail Scammers send letters or e-mails that look like they are from a 

legitimate bank, business, or agency to try to get your personal 

information or bank account number.

Common consumer scams
22 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

1 This guide includes links or references to third-party resources or content that consumers may find helpful. The Bureau does not 

control or guarantee the accuracy of this outside information. The inclusion of links or references to third-party sites does not 

necessarily reflect the Bureau’s endorsement of the third-party, the views expressed on the outside site, or products or services 

offered on the outside site. The Bureau has not vetted these third-parties, their content, or any products or services they may offer. 

There may be other possible entities or resources that are not listed that may also serve your needs.

The resources below1 are for Georgia. 

For information on other states, see the national 

version of this guide at www.consumerfinance.

gov/managing-someone-elses-money.

Local and state agencies

Adult Protective Services

Georgia Adult Protective Services (APS) receives 

and investigates reports of suspected elder or 

adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation. To make 

a report, contact the Georgia APS Central 

Intake at:

1-866-552-4464

aging.georgia.gov/report-elder-abuse

Aging and Disability Resources 

State and local agencies can give you 

information about aging and disability services 

and whether there are any support groups for 

fiduciaries or caregivers.

Department of Human Services, Division of 

Aging Services

1-866-552-4464

aging.georgia.gov/aging-and-disabilityresource-connection-adrc

Attorney General

Find consumer information and tips on a 

variety of subjects by contacting the Georgia 

Department of Law, Consumer Protection Unit.

1-404-651-8600 

1-800-869-1123 (toll-free in Georgia from 

outside of the metro Atlanta calling area)

www.consumer.georgia.gov

Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau can help consumers 

with complaints against businesses. 

BBB of Central Georgia 

www.bbb.org/central-georgia

info@centralgeorgia.bbb.org

Phone: 1-478-742-7999 

Fax: 1-478-742-8191 

BBB of Metro Atlanta, Athens & NE Georgia 

www.bbb.org/atlanta

info@atlanta.bbb.org 

Phone: 1-404-766-0875 

Fax: 1-404-768-1085 

Where to go for help
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 23 

BBB of Northeast Florida and The Southeast 

Atlantic 

www.bbb.org/north-east-florida

info@bbbnefla.org

Phone: 1-904-721-2288 

Fax: 1-904-721-7373 

BBB of Southeast Tennessee & Northwest 

Georgia 

www.bbb.org/chattanooga

tngabbb@chattanooga.bbb.org

Phone: 1-423-266-6144 

Fax: 1-423-267-1924 

BBB of W. Georgia, E. Alabama & S.W. Georgia 

www.bbb.org/central-georgia

info@columbus-ga.bbb.org

Phone: 1-706-324-0712 

Fax: 1-706-324-2181 

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 

Contact the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman 

Program. Ombudsmen identify, investigate, and 

resolve complaints. The webpage has a list of 

local long-term care ombudsman programs.

1-866-552-4464, Option 5

www.georgiaombudsman.org

Mediators 

Find a listing of local mediators through the 

Georgia Commission of Dispute Resolution. 

Mediation can help resolve disputes and may 

sometimes be an alternative to legal action. 

1-404-463-3788

godr.org/

Medicaid/Medical Assistance

For information on Medicaid in Georgia, contact 

the Department of Community Health. 

1-866-211-0950

dch.georgia.gov

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit

The Georgia Medicaid Fraud Control Unit 

investigates and prosecutes abuse and fraud by 

health care providers. 

1-404-656-5400

law.ga.gov/medicaid-fraud-control-unit

Police or Sheriff 

Find a law enforcement agency by checking the 

local directory.

Federal agencies

Numerous federal agencies play a role in 

combatting fraud and abuse and educating 

consumers. Contact them for more information.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

1-855-411-CFPB

www.consumerfinance.gov

Do Not Call Registry

1-888-382-1222 

www.donotcall.gov

Federal Bureau of Investigation 

www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety
24 MANAGING SOMEONE ELSE’S MONEY 

Federal Trade Commission

1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) 

www.consumer.ftc.gov

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force

www.stopfraud.gov

Postal Inspection Service

1-877-876-2455 

postalinspectors.uspis.gov/

Social Security Administration

1-800-772-1213

www.socialsecurity.gov/payee

Department of Veterans Affairs

1-888-407-0144

www.benefits.va.gov/fiduciary

For legal help

Free legal services for people over age 60

Find local programs that provide free legal 

help to people over age 60 by contacting 

the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline, which is a 

statewide legal hotline operated by the Atlanta 

Legal Aid Society, Inc.

1-888-257-9519

www.atlantalegalaid.org/georgia-senior-legalhotline/

Free legal services for low-income people

Find local programs that provide free legal help 

to low-income people. 

 

For the Metro-Atlanta area, contact the Atlanta 

Legal Aid Society, Inc.

1-404-524-5811

www.atlantalegalaid.org

For the rest of the state, contact Georgia Legal 

Services Program, Inc.

1-800-498-9469

www.glsp.org (for general information)

www.glsp.org/regional-offices (for locations of 

local offices throughout the state)

Free legal services for people with 

disabilities

The Georgia Advocacy Office provides free 

legal help for people with disabilities.

 

1-404-885-1234 

1-800-537-2329 (toll-free in Georgia) 

(voice or TDD)

thegao.org
HELP FOR TRUSTEES UNDER A REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST IN GEORGIA 25 

Fee-for-service lawyers

This is a web page sponsored by the American 

Bar Association. It provides information about 

how to find a lawyer in each state. It also has 

information about legal resources available in 

each state, how to check whether a lawyer is 

licensed, and what to do if you have problems 

with a lawyer.

www.findlegalhelp.org

The State Bar of Georgia has similar information, 

including tips on finding a lawyer or filing a 

complaint against a lawyer, pamphlets for 

consumers, and information about free legal 

services and other legal resources. 

1-800-334-6865

www.gabar.org/forthepublic

For accounting help

Accountants

Find a local certified public accountant on the 

website of the American Institute of CPAs. 

www.aicpa.org/ForThePublic/FindACPA/Pages/

FindACPA.aspx
June 2017

 consumerfinance.gov

 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

1700 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20552

 Toll free: (855) 411-CFPB (2372) 

TTY/TDD : (855) 729-CFPB (2372)

 info@consumerfinance.gov