I am mom's 24/7 caretaker, I am living with her. I need to pay her bills, maintain the house. I had access to her bank account but now her online account is locked due to "suspicious activity." I was putting expenses on my credit card and paying my credit card with her checking account. Bank says to call them but mom cannot have a phone conversation to explain the situation. I am assuming financial POA can only be granted by mom if she is of "sound mind." It's too late for that, she is delusional and incoherent.
You should not be paying for your Mothers care yourself; none of this will be compensated and what of your own care when you are aged?
See an elder law attorney today.
If your Mom has bills and you are going to take on guardianship or conservatorship you will need good files, so start them now. Each entity gets a file folder. Every penny into and out of Mom's accounts will have to be logged and accounted for. So notify all entities that your Mom is in care.
Does your Mom have a diagnosis of incompetency? If so take this proof with you to the attorney. If not, you need proof of same to be done, diagnosistic workup and so on.
By handling an account that is not yours online you may become accused of fraud. I hope you have kept all proof of withdrawals, and receipts of payments made though your Mom's account.
Visit the bank today. Explain what has been happening. Get the advice of the bank manager.
Meanwhile begin to research online "duties of conservatorship" in your state.
I wish you good luck.
If you don't get guardianship, the county eventually will and then it will call all the shots and you won't have any access or insight into her medical or financial affairs.
I agree with others who advise to not co-mingle your funds with hers and please do not pay her bills with your credit cards. If she's late on paying bills don't worry about her credit rating -- at this point in life it won't matter for her at all.
I'm not sure I would talk to the bank yet -- they are on a hair-trigger when it comes to protecting clients against financial fraud. You will be suspect (as you already are). The bank would make you go through their own PoA protocol so IMO there's no point in talking to them. I'd talk to the attorney first.