Elderly mother 'lent' 6500 to cab driver

OSCARH

I have just discovered that my 80-year-old mother 'lent' a sympathetic mini cab driver 6500 back in 2013 in the weeks just after my father's funeral. The cabbie had a useful sob story and was very helpful apparently and even drove her to the bank on 3 occasions to get out the money in 3 installments and then dropped her home afterward. Since then, he has made sporadic repayments, the 1st after 18 months and a few more here and there. But he still owes 5,500 after 4 years and she is now so broke she needs help with her rent which is how I have found out. I have reported him to the police as this classed as financial abuse of a vulnerable person. I have contacted him to ask him to think about his position and get back to me by the end of this weekend with a repayment proposal. I don't honestly expect to hear from him so I'm wondering what my best next steps are. Please, if your opinion is to forget about it, don't spend your time replying. The police have been encouraging so I'm looking for positive advice to move forward in recovering the debt for her. I do now have financial power of attorney for her affairs but it's a bit late in the day. Thanks

k3lvc

OSCARH wrote: »

Please, if your opinion is to forget about it, don't spend your time replying.

Sad story but what makes you think you're any more special than all the others that come on here with a story such as this.

Presumably there's no formal agreement/paper trail so, assuming the Police are taking your seriously, then I'd leave it with them.

Your alternatives, POA or no POA, are limited to court (with limited chance of success) and subsequent repayment/seizing of money (even less chance of success)

What other suggestions do you have ?

BorisThomson

You could go to small claims but even if you won there is no guarantee of getting your money.

If she is having trouble paying her rent have you checked her benefit entitlement?

Geoff1963

Does the cab driver work for a company ?
The Council has to assure itself that cab drivers are "fit and proper" so they might be interested.

oliveoil99

This could of been wrote by me many years ago about my late mother-in-law who we found out was giving money to the taxi driver that used to take her to a centre twice a week. We do not know how much was involved. We confronted him and he said it was a gift and was not bothered so we informed the taxi company and he got the sack. Some people have no morals and as they didn't steal the money have done nothing wrong, I beg to differ.

jonesMUFCforever

I know this goes on and is probably widespread all over the country - the centre where I volunteer had a lady with mental health issues come in after her shop at a supermarket was declined - she had given the card and PIN to the cabbie who helped himself to what he could then gave her some spending money.
The police were called - he is now in jail.

Owain_Moneysaver

A couple of ex police officers have been found guilty of stealing £60,000 from their mother (/-in-law).

You can sue, but if he doesn't have any money or assets it may be throwing good money after bad. And although he may well lose his taxi driver licence that would impair his ability to repay from earned income.

ReadingTim

OSCARH wrote: »

Please, if your opinion is to forget about it, don't spend your time replying.

Sounds like you're not looking for an answer, but for someone to tell you what you want to hear. All I'll suggest is that you read some of the other posts on what happens when you try and recover money lent to friends/family/acquaintances and come to your own conclusion....

However, if you're determined to lose more than the £5k outstanding, here's how you'd do it: go to court to get judgement against cabbie. Cabbie ignores you. Try and enforce judgement. Cabbie ignores debt collectors. Continue to try and enforce judgement. Cabbie doesn't have any money/assets anyway. £5k remains outstanding, plus the fees, time and stress associated with the above course of action are also lost.

The money is gone. You can learn that for free here, or via the legal system for considerably more. Your choice.

keith969

ReadingTim wrote: »

Cabbie doesn't have any money/assets anyway.

You're forgetting his car.

ReadingTim

keith969 wrote: »

You're forgetting his car.

What, the one leased from a finance company? Or the one owned by his wife that he drives?

keith969

ReadingTim wrote: »

What, the one leased from a finance company? Or the one owned by his wife that he drives?

How very helpful. I doubt if it was your money you'd be so condescending.

OP, I would start with the small claims court. It doesn't cost much, and is better than doing nothing.