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Fraud or not?

Hope this section is correct.


A family member who is in a care home has a credit card with large amount of funds, one of her siblings has requested from the bank to set up an online account for what they say is "paying off debts" this family member has been known to "borrow" money before from the person in care (before she went into care).


I am concerned they will take money without her knowing it. Is this theft/fraud as they have not had permission from the person in care or a solicitor, no one has power of attorney either.


They used her Hotmail account to email the bank pretending to be her and they have sent them log in details.


Your thoughts please.
«1

Comments

  • boo_star
    boo_star Posts: 3,202 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Sounds made up. Banks don't do account administration by email, it's far too insecure.

    Which bank is it?
  • bargainbetty
    bargainbetty Posts: 3,455 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If the resident has not given consent, then this should be reported to the bank as fraud.
    Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps....
    LB moment - March 2006. DFD - 1 June 2012!!! DEBT FREE!



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  • societys_child
    societys_child Posts: 7,110 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 4 December 2014 at 2:02PM
    Post #2 has a point but I'd, contact the bank NOW to be on the safe side.
  • Buzby
    Buzby Posts: 8,275 Forumite
    Credit cards have no credit due to the cardholder - I assume you mean debit card? A bank will need more than an email address to accept instructions, however if someone knows the account holder to the extent of the personal information, then additional security is required and the bank forewarned by the account holder - or if they are incapable, a requirement for Power of Attorney is a must.
  • boo_star wrote: »
    Sounds made up. Banks don't do account administration by email, it's far too insecure.

    Which bank is it?



    Its not made up thank you, they have her bank card and Hotmail details they went online (Halifax) and requested to set up an online account, they were requested to select a user name and password, then they had to wait 4 days for a code to be sent to the lady in cares home address. They visit the house regularly and are decorating the bedroom ready for her return. They now have access to the letter/code from Halifax. At no stage were they given permission.
  • Buzby wrote: »
    Credit cards have no credit due to the cardholder - I assume you mean debit card? A bank will need more than an email address to accept instructions, however if someone knows the account holder to the extent of the personal information, then additional security is required and the bank forewarned by the account holder - or if they are incapable, a requirement for Power of Attorney is a must.
    ==================================


    Yes its a debit card they have basically all her personal details they even tried to access her paypal which I set up for her to use ebay, but it seems the password has changed as she was not very good online being elderly.
  • eskbanker
    eskbanker Posts: 38,022 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Its not made up thank you, they have her bank card and Hotmail details they went online (Halifax) and requested to set up an online account, they were requested to select a user name and password, then they had to wait 4 days for a code to be sent to the lady in cares home address. They visit the house regularly and are decorating the bedroom ready for her return. They now have access to the letter/code from Halifax. At no stage were they given permission.
    The OP implied that sibling gained control of the account merely by email - the previously unmentioned facts that they also had access to the account holder's bank card, house keys and post do actually make a bit of a difference!

    Given sibling's access to all of these it's obviously much more straightforward to misrepresent themselves as the account holder, although obviously it still isn't right. I assume the bank won't take action unless the account holder contacts them so she should do so at the first opportunity if she wishes to pursue this. Not sure how they handle the situation where the account holder's address is effectively regarded as unsecure though, unless she recovers keys, etc, from sibling once it's clear they're not doing her a favour?
  • If you think a crime has been committed or is about to be committed then call the police
  • CKhalvashi
    CKhalvashi Posts: 12,134 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If you think a crime has been committed or is about to be committed then call the police

    And refuse for it to be fobbed off as 'civil matter', as it's not.

    You'll need the reference they give you to contact the bank if anything has gone missing.
    💙💛 💔
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You can contact these people - http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/ - for support and advice.
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