Parents new “friend”

[Itllbealrightonthenight]

I feel uncomfortable about my parents new friend, let’s call her Tracey.
My parents are in their early 60’s, both retired and have plenty of friends and family around them. Almost overnight this Tracey has become part of their everyday lives. Tracey is 26 and according to her, has crappy parents which is why my parents have taken her under their wing. She drives to their house for dinner several nights a week, goes shopping with them, goes to the gym with Dad 3 times a week. I met Tracey for the first time recently and she was pleasant enough but dismissive of me and made no effort to get to know me. I made a conscious effort to get to know her and make her feel welcome - because my parents have grown close to her. But she wasn’t interested and actually made me feel like the stranger in the situation. To my shock she repeatedly called my parents Mum and Dad. That made me feel really uncomfortable around her and I’m suspicious of how quickly she has formed this deep bond with my parents. I can’t help but question her motives. My parents have accepted her life story as she tells it- a neglected child. But the reality is she’s 26, an adult and my parents don’t actually know her yet. She lives with her Dad who she says isn’t supportive. Her mother is elsewhere and she too doesn’t have a good relationship with her. Apparently.
Im suspicious about her intentions and also peed off that she and my parents have totally disrespected me by allowing her to call them Mum and Dad. They’ve known eachother for 6 months!
Thoughts?

It looks like a con, but Id be worried if it was not something even more sinister (think the poor couple recently murdered by a younger 'friend' in Bristol and there was another recent case that was quite similar).
The whole thing is really off!

Why would she have PoA? Her parents are only in their 60s.

Did you look at the username? The OP was the one asking the OP is they would feel comfortable sharing more details! .

I think op was asking the poster who'd shared a similar story.

I think that question was directed at a previous poster who had had something similar happen to their parents. But it did give me a double take.

I didn’t read it as she was asking the op for more details. Someone else said they had a similar experience. I read it as she was replying to that.

This is good advice I think.

The whole situation is odd. We have some older friends BUT we met as part of a hobby and are all friends with their kids, and they are now our kids god parents.

There are other potential scenarios too, none particularly palatable as the child. Eg I heard of a couple who acquired a live in "friend" in reality was the wife's girlfriend and the husband knew etc etc, can you imagine the gossip when that got out, was a church warden too

Ooooh yes… Colin Firth at the gym!!

Yeah I always find the 'must be the school holidays' comments quite bizarre. Why do people say this? Do they think it's a school child posting threads on here? LOL. As if children post on Mumsnet. 😆 What has the 'school holidays' got to do with anything? Children wouldn't post on Mumsnet. Unless, some posters think it's teachers posting!

I have a number of elderly relations and I have been shocked by how they seem to act as a honey pot for unscrupulous spongers. My uncle, who was divorced, dying of cancer and childless (after the death of his only child) was pursued by various individuals. His cleaner got money out of him to pay for return flights for herself to go home (Ghana). She deliberately attends a church in Summer Town (v wealthy part of Oxford), miles from her own home, and targets lonely rich elderly people. She has taken hundreds of pounds from one woman.

Thanks so much for all the brilliant advice and shared experiences. Let’s not let silly people railroad a very helpful discussion for me.

Ive done as much online research as I’m capable of and I’ve found out where she works, the name of her mother and father. Nothing else.
Im dubious at this point to contact her father through Facebook because it could do more harm than good at this stage.
Theres a family barbecue in the coming weeks for my Dads birthday, no doubt she will be there and it gives us all an opportunity to observe and find out more information. My approach at the moment is to gather information before I can confront the situation with my parents, her Dad and possibly the police.

Someone asked earlier if there’s a chance of an affair. I don’t think so. She’s gay for a start. But my Dad has always preferred the company of women. He treats me like a princess but has a more firm approach with my brother. I do think my Dad likes to be the hero and Tracey is giving him every opportunity to be just that. I am very surprised at how unaware they seem to be about the dynamics of this situation. We’re all alarmed… why aren’t they?!

Thanks again everyone for all the advice, it’s hard to keep up with all the questions but I’m reading everything and it’s really helpful to me.

Why on earth with somebody who is totally on the ball start telly Tracey he's going to change his will?

This sounds either fictitious or worrying.

I can't fathom why your parents have amended their will benefitting Tracey. My Mum and Dad have lots of friends but wouldn't discuss their will or change it after meeting a relatively new friend. If this is true, as i said before, you've got to become her friend as unpalatable as this is. Suggest you call round for coffee at hers? You'd like to meet her father? Meet her after her work for drinks? Ingratiate yourself in her life as she has done in your parents. If she can visit your parents, you can drop by and visit hers. Don't allow her to keep her life separate - don't take any hints about her wanting to keep her family life private. Don't let on to your parents what you are doing. Pop round for tea when you know she will be there. Keep your enemy close.

Worrying, very worrying. Red flags all over the place. Your parents aren't elderly but they certainly sound rather vulnerable.

I'd be keeping a very close eye and start digging for some info on this Tracey woman. Perhaps invite yourself along to one of their cozy 'family' dinners or outings. Wouldn't be at all surprised if cash or small valuables started going missing from your parents' home.

creepy

In what context did they tell their granddaughter that they've included Tracey in their will? It's hard to imagine, really.

The homeless handyman and the wealthy widow: Love or something darker? - BBC News

Yes I thought of the case where the ‘handyman’ befriended a couple and as their health deteriorated he took advantage of them and ended up poisoning them to get the life insurance. The whole family trusted him as he was such a good friend. Frightening.

Wow @whatifshejust that is fecking terrifying!

I'd wonder if there's stuff your parents ts know and you don't @Itllbealrightonthenight. Could she be your father's dd, arising from an affair?

This is weird.

Your parents aren't really what I'd consider elderly but I guess anyone can be conned.

Second the suggestion of a private investigator.

This is very odd ideed, if true. I would confidentially speak to their solicitor and let him know about your concerns. I would also be googling like crazy.... including for her dad, who maybe has undertaken this sort of scam before as well...

Ah, I was thinking she is the younger one in a throuple they are having, but now you say it, a secret daughter would be more likely!

Be there every time she comes round. I bet she doesn’t live with her dad. Sounds like a scam. Take this to the police so that they are aware of what’s happening. Can you ask your parents if they give her money? Find a way to check this.