Wrongly Accused By Former Employer - Any Advice Please?

absolutelynomoney

Hi all,

I have just received an email from someone that I used to work for as a childminder/au-pair. It says that they hope I'm well and would like to pay me some money that apparently is outstanding from when I left.

It then goes on to say that they can't find some items in the house that "correspond to my profile in terms of interest" and want to arrange to get them back. He says that if I have any idea where they are he is "fairly open to getting them or any related information and end all my questions here, but otherwise I would feel enclined to meeting you at your school and / or asking your family. He also said that he won't wait for months before he "goes to the next stage of enquiries". (meaning what?!)

What should I do?? I've emailed them to tell them I don't even know what these "items" may be, but I'm worried that they will actually call my current work or even my parents (what has it got to do with them - I'm in my mid-twenties!) and cause me trouble.

Any advice on where I might stand in this situation?

bryanb

If they owe you money ask them to send it. If you've done nothing wrong there is nothing to fear. How can false accusations cause you trouble?

absolutelynomoney

bryanb wrote: »

If they owe you money ask them to send it. If you've done nothing wrong there is nothing to fear. How can false accusations cause you trouble?

Well he said in the email that if I don't help him with information on the wherabouts of these items that he'll call my work and/or my parents, which means they'll be dragged into it. Plus, if he's going to be turing up at my workplace, I'd call that causing trouble!

Runnybabbit

absolutelynomoney wrote: »

"correspond to my profile in terms of interest" before he "goes to the next stage of enquiries". (meaning what?!)

Ask him again what items he's referring to.

I would also inform him that if he does contact your employers or turns up at your home then you will have option but to call the Police - or better still offer to phone them for him since he may of been the victim of theft !!!

fengirl_2

This seems odd. Keep copies of the emails and if you feel more threatened, or if he turns up at work, then call the police.

nexuss

Did this guy by any chance 'try it on' with you in terms of affection ? He sounds a bit odd and acting like a stalker i feel using the excuse of paying you money as an excuse to meet you.Why does he mention school if you are in your mid-twenties ?

Amber07

SOunds like he is bein a bit of a smart-@ and trying to flummox you by not coming straight out with what he means.

Email back, ask him to clarify what in the name of heck he is referring to - then tell him you have no idea what he is on about (assuming you don't) and that you will consider it harassment if he contacts you again.

Saying he was due you money is just an excuse to get in touch with you. I'm sure you would have noticed earlier if your wages were short.

HellsGranny

I would call his bluff, it sounds like he's trying a scam. He is also trying to get hold of your address, as surely he would have sent the money otherwise. Are you sure it is money he owes you?

Sounds to me as if he is calling you a thief, or at least implying it.

Contact the police with copies of these communications, as it appears he may be trying to illegally get you to admit something, also, by implying he would contact school/family, etc., it would appear to be borderline blackmail.

Poppy9

This sounds awful. I second calling the police as it does sound as though he is threatening you. You could use his email to sue him for outstanding wages though!:D

-BA-

To be honest go straight to the police. Be the one to take the iniative especially if there is nothing to hide. This does indeed seem very strange and is really quite intimidating. Don't let this get out of hand. I would say just bring it up with your parents but because he is threatening to appear at your workplace, he has already gone to the next level. Threats of this nature need to be nipped in the bud.

rosie-lee

Could it be something simple like a couple of missing CD's or books. I'm foreveer misplacing things and to be honest, if someone else had spent a considerable amount of time in my home, I would likely think they had picked them up.

On the other hand though, you'd just say that wouldn't you? not write a letter like that.

Police would be best bet, i agree.