How do I protect dad from scams?
RENFREWSHIRE CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
I recently found out that my elderly dad has been sending money to a woman he was chatting to online. I’ve tried speaking to him about it but he won’t tell me how much he’s sent. He’s promised he won’t send anymore but I’m really worried about it. What can I do to keep him safe?
Unfortunately, your dad’s situation is not uncommon. Romance scams are becoming increasingly prevalent and often target older adults who may be more vulnerable.
Typically, scammers start by building a relationship with their victims and then ask for financial help, often claiming some sort of time-critical emergency.
It’s typical for people who have fallen victim to these scams to feel embarrassed or ashamed, which can make it more difficult for them to seek help.
It’s important for your dad to understand that he is not alone and this is a common type of fraud. The first step is to encourage him to contact his bank and report the situation.
The bank may be able to freeze the account and help him recover any funds he has transferred.
You should also encourage your dad to contact the Police Scotland non-emergency number on 101 to report this fraud. They can provide support and advice. It’s important to report incidents like this as it reduces the chance of the same scammers victimising others.
If you think your dad is likely to continue speaking to people online you may want to encourage him to read the following webpage: https://www.getsafeonline.org/ personal/articles/online-dating/ They have lots of useful tips on how to keep safe if dating/ meeting people online.
I recently broke up with my boyfriend.
Before we broke up we had planned a trip to Spain that had been paid for. The trip was booked by my ex-boyfriend and I offered to give him the money for his share so I could go with a friend instead, but he ignored me. I recently learned that he went on the trip with another girl, which was confirmed by pictures he posted online. I’m not happy paying for someone else to go on the trip and would like to know if I can force him to give me a refund.
If you’re looking to recoup the money you believe you’re owed, the Simple Procedure is a relatively informal process of taking someone to a civil court.
This process can be used for amounts up to £5,000. However, it’s important to note that going to court should be used as a last resort.
The facts as you present them, where he appears to have prevented you from using the trip yourself, and didn’t apply for a refund, make it seem reasonable for you to expect a payment from your ex-partner.
Unfortunately, without having access to the booking paperwork and the terms and conditions it is hard to confirm the amount you might expect to receive back. It may be worth asking to see this paperwork.
If he doesn’t provide it, you would have to start on the basis of being owed the full amount you paid towards the holiday.
Before taking legal action, it is recommended that you send a recorded delivery letter to your ex-boyfriend setting out your reasons why you believe you should receive a refund.
This gives him an opportunity to respond and hopefully reach a resolution without having to go to court. If he doesn’t respond, or doesn’t agree to your request, then you may need to consider going to court using the “simple procedure”. (This has replaced “Small Claims” in the Scottish Court system.)
Before completing the court paperwork for the Simple Procedure, you may wish to receive some advice.
You can speak to our Legal Advice Service by calling 0141 889 2121 or emailing renbureau@paisleycab.casonline.org.uk