Is this dodgy?

fluffnutter

Mojisola wrote: »

If he would agree, it would be a good idea for one of the family to get power of attorney for him.

I don't think this will stop him making his own decisions though - it just enables someone else to make them in addition to him, not instead of. Therefore, he'd still be at the mercy of this couple because his bank etc. would still be happy to deal with him (under their influence) even if someone else held power of attorney.

Power of attorney's not a bad idea in any case - just not sure it would protect him in this particular situation.

ankspon

I understand the idea of POA but we don't want to stop him making his own decisions.We are and will continue to keep a very close eye on him.The idea of getting other people in the club to keep an eye on him could be a good idea.

daska

PoA might offer some protection if it depends how it's worded, if it states that he only wants x person able to act on his behalf would that cover it? I know my MIL has PoA to act on her son's behalf specifically regarding the mortgage. It might be enough to make them back off.

Have you spoken with the manager of the sheltered housing about this? Usually they keep a very close eye on their residents - some are better than others though.

You or they may be able to accompany him to the club one evening - perhaps he could 'sprain his ankle' and need to go in a wheelchair - which would give you an excuse to suss them out and see if they're well meaning but a bit thick or as dodgy as hell (which is what they sound like).

The other possibility is getting a professional adviser - talk with the sheltered housing manager about who might be available - to take charge of sorting out his benefits, filling in forms etc. (I have one through a local housing association). If the benefits office see that there is an 'official' support worker they might well question why a.n.other is trying to persuade him to do something different.

fluffnutter

I think you should accompany your FIL to this club for a while, ankspon. Let this couple know that their interest and friendship is not wanted and hopefully they'll get bored and turn their attentions elsewhere.

It sounds like your FIL is not stupid, nor necessarily vulnerable. He might well feel unable to be rude to them (as you say, he's shy) but that doesn't mean he's about to withdraw his life savings and hand them all over. Look on the positive side - he's not trying to defend their actions. Keep letting your FIL know how inappropriate their actions are and that you WILL intervene.

In the long run, the best solution all round is for your FIL to be more robust with people and send them packing himself. Help him to do this and I reckon that couple will be off to set their sights on someone else.

fluffnutter

daska wrote: »

... a bit thick or as dodgy as hell (which is what they sound like).

They certainly do sound thick. If they're up to no good why have they phoned this guy's daughter to tell them what they're doing?? Bound to start alarm bells ringing - which it has.

ankspon

Thanks for all the advice we just wanted to make sure we wasn't being over protective.FIL didn't tell us they were taking him to the benefits office,they phoned his daughter and told her they were cancelling there holiday to take him,FIL had not asked them to and they were told by his daughter not to bother as the family were doing it.

Edwardia

His daughter needs to make it clear to them that the family doesn't need their help and will take him anywhere he needs to go and that they won't be paying for the cancelled holiday since neither he nor they asked this couple to do that.

If the FIL has caller display I would suggest he ignores them or tells them he doesn't need their help.

Family asking him to give them POA because he is being hassled by others is an insult to him.

fluffnutter

Edwardia wrote: »

His daughter needs to make it clear to them that the family doesn't need their help and will take him anywhere he needs to go and that they won't be paying for the cancelled holiday since neither he nor they asked this couple to do that.

Perhaps that's the 'scam'. Cancel holiday to help out vulnerable old boy. Suggest that old boy reimburses them the cost of the holiday (or at least the deposit) seeing as they've been of such great help. Holiday never existed in the first place, plus they've also got their claws in and can suggest all sorts of other reasons why old boy needs to part with his cash.

If that's the case, people like this tend to have multiple 'victims' which is why I think it's important to start asking around at the club as to what others think of this couple. It's unlikely that the OP's FIL is the only person they've tried to do this to. Con artists often are able to go unchecked because their victims, once they're aware that they are indeed a victim, are too embarrassed or ashamed to share what's happened to them. The more people know of their suspicious behaviour, the better, IMO.

moromir

You say he is well known at the club, is there any chance you could go in at a quiet time and ask to speak privately with the landlord and perhaps he could offer an insight into who the heck these people are?

Fire_Fox

Go to the club with him a few times perhaps a family rota, attend all benefits appointments with him even if you sit in the waiting area so he has privacy and autonomy, ask staff or regulars in the club to keep an eye on him, alert the sheltered housing staff to this couple too.

Make sure he does not have more than minimal cash in his wallet/ home - if they do manage to get any money out of him by bank transfer or cheque this is trackable. Does he get his pension or other benefits paid into his bank account? If not switch to this. Many things can be paid by debit card or accounts can be set up at taxi firms or at the club, paid in advance if needs be.