Dear Coleen
My problem concerns a potential betrayal of trust by a family member.
My daughter and I went to an event in the north-east of England around the middle of November. I now live down south, but I’m originally from the north-east where my family still lives.
On this trip, we visited my family and my daughter took lots of photos of our time there and we had a lovely weekend.
When we got back, my daughter’s bank contacted her highlighting a bank transaction for 1p in Newcastle, then a further transaction for nearly £100 at a toy store, which luckily was stopped.
We came to the conclusion that the only place where her bag with her credit cards in it was vulnerable was at a family gathering where she left it in the front room. I hate to think a family member could have taken the details from her cards, but it’s a possibility.
The bank hasn’t been forthcoming in terms of trying to work out how her details were stolen and used, but luckily she didn’t lose any money.
However, we both feel weird about the fact someone in the family could be responsible. What do you think?
Coleen says
If your daughter used her bank cards to pay for things on your trip, there’s every chance the details were stolen via a retailer. Sadly, this kind of fraud is very common. You could go back to the bank and ask them that question and push to see if they can shed more light on it.
I wonder what’s at the root of your suspicions about family members? Perhaps that’s the question you really need to ask yourself.
I think most people in that situation wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that someone in their family was responsible and would opt for the scenario that the details were taken when your daughter used her card.
If it makes you feel better, you could let your family know what happened without apportioning any blame but, if a relative was responsible, they’re hardly likely to fess up!
It sounds as if you had a great weekend and your daughter didn’t lose any money so, if I were you, I’d put it behind you, learn from it and make sure you both know where your wallets are on future trips – to visit your family or otherwise.
The truth is, bank fraud is extremely common these days, especially with so many of us
shopping online, and most of us have experienced it at some point.
You don’t have any proof the details were taken by a relative, so I would move on from it and, instead, focus on the nice memories you have of your weekend.
