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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

well i'm not but I don't know how to proceed?

66 replies

olduninBoden · 04/02/2011 19:10

DS1 who is 15 has intrumental lessons from a teacher organised by the head of music.I gave DS a cheque to pay for his lessons on Tuesday.
When i check my bank online yesterday I see the cheque has cleared but is for nearly twice as much!It transpires that the music teacher told DS to alter the amount on the cheque to include the bill for the following half term's fees as well.I had already emailed the music teacher querying this because it included some lessons where the teacher had been ill
DS1 is quite compliant and acted under duress, but I am totally shocked that a teacher would abuse his position of authority to pressure a minor to do something illegal like this.I don't know what to do next without implicating DS

OP posts:
mumcanihavearabbit · 04/02/2011 19:11

Was it a blank cheque?

Original poster
olduninBoden · 04/02/2011 19:12

I should point out that DS is doing music GCSE and the teacher is coaching him on his performance pieces for the exam which he will have to perform in the next few weeks

OP posts:
SarahStrattonHasNiceBears · 04/02/2011 19:12

Head of school and Bank IMO. That is shocking. And fraudulent.

manicbmc · 04/02/2011 19:12

Ds wasn't to know it's against the law but the music teacher was.

I'd be bandying words like 'fraud' at him and be expecting money back.

Original poster
olduninBoden · 04/02/2011 19:12

No the cheque was written out but he made DS change and initial the words and figures

OP posts:
mumcanihavearabbit · 04/02/2011 19:13

Sorry just re-read! TBH im not sure what you can do, but I have always been under the impression banks were not allowed to accept altered cheques.

belledechocchipcookie · 04/02/2011 19:13

Shock I'd be taking this up with the head. It's appauling behaviour for a teacher.

bubblewrapped · 04/02/2011 19:13

as your son is a minor, and was pressured into doing this, I doubt he would get into trouble

I would be absolutely livid, and to be honest am surprised the bank accepted the cheque, as the whole thing would have had to be altered, not just a minor detail

I would certainly be going all guns blazing to this teachers superior..

warthog · 04/02/2011 19:14

wow. if you don't want your son implicated i think you have to certainly change music teachers and make a stink to the head teacher so they know exactly why.

warthog · 04/02/2011 19:14

i'm also amazed the bank cashed it.

iamamug · 04/02/2011 19:15

Surely you won't need to implicate DS? Just contact the teacher and query why the cheque has gone through for a different amount than expected. You have a record on your statement.
Then get really really mad!! Appalling thing to do - you might not have had enough money in your account - you could have incurred charges.
Dreadful thing to do - complain to the school as well.

cakeywakey · 04/02/2011 19:15

You're not implicating your DS, he was coerced into doing this by the teacher and that is wrong.

I would be complaining to the teacher and letting the head of music know as well . If the teacher wanted the next half-term fees, they should have asked for it, not forced your son into fraudulently changing a cheque. Shame on them.

mumcanihavearabbit · 04/02/2011 19:16

How would he know to initial the cheque!! he has been mis-led into doing something ileagal! Would be speaking to the head and the bank. Whose initials did he use, yours ir his?

TheVisitor · 04/02/2011 19:22

Firstly, your DS is a minor and has been pressured into doing this by a responsible adult. I would contact the music teacher letting them know in no uncertain terms that what they have asked your son to do is fraudulent, and a refund is to be paid within 3 working days. I would also be speaking to the head of music and headteacher so it is on record.

curlymama · 04/02/2011 19:22

Call the bank, and infrom the teacher that you will be, or have told them. I'd also write to the head.

Your son can't be held responsible for anything, he is a minor who was under the care of this teacher and the school.

I'm outraged for you, I can't believe a teacher would do that!

taintedpaint · 04/02/2011 19:23

Fuck me. Definitely complain to the school. What the fuck was that teacher thinking?!

That is fraud and clearly against the law.

DS is not to blame.

lolster · 04/02/2011 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flisspaps · 04/02/2011 19:26

Inform the bank, head of Music and headteacher.

I am assuming that this is a peripatetic teacher, rather than a member of school staff? If this is the case, then contact the local 'Music Service' as well (usually the council, they will oversee the peripatetic music teachers.

Original poster
olduninBoden · 04/02/2011 19:26

well he wouldn't have any motive for changing the cheque whereas the music teacher clearly has!

OP posts:
Callisto · 04/02/2011 19:29

Actually, banks don't necessarily check that all the details on a cheque are correct. I've paid cheques made out to my married name into to my maiden name account which should definitely have been rejected. Also if the initial were the OP's and not her son's, the bank would have accepted it.

As for the initial question, I would be having a serious shit fit about this. There is no way that your son could be implicated in any way.

lolster · 04/02/2011 19:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

forasong · 04/02/2011 19:34

Unreal. You should speak to the Head.

Unreal. What a situation for your son to find himself in.

lolster · 04/02/2011 19:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cumfy · 04/02/2011 20:12

Are your initials the same ?

Or did he "forge" your initials ?

How much are we talking about ?
Basically it's theft, not "just" fraud.

cumfy · 04/02/2011 20:15

I would get a copy of the cheque from the bank.
Consider going straight to the police.