To not want carers to have my Mum's bank card?

[TheTwinklyLemur]

My Mum has recently had to get carers due to her declining health, both physically and mentally. One of the things they do is to go shopping for her, or which they have asked for her bank card and PIN number. I really don't feel comfortable with this. Can't I just give them cash from her account, which I have access to?

As a social worker I have worked with people whose solicitor set one of these up and I have seen the print out of the spending record. Whether this was set up with agreement of the organisation that runs Go Henry specifically for this situation is another matter but I know it was used this way.

Just set up a Revolut bank account with a card and then transfer set amounts per week. It's very easy to see online what is happening if you/DM own the account/card and have the app loaded. It's easier than cash as you can make sure they've shopped at Tesco or whatever when they said they would

Could you do an online shop and order it to arrive when they are there? I wouldn’t give anyone my mum’s bank card

This is exactly what I was going to say, arrange the shopping to be delivered when the carers are due to be there and ask that they take it in and put it away, rather than them actually doing the shopping.

No way should you hand over a card & pin, you should never give anyone your pin at all.

Don't. That's how my grandmother in similar circumstances was robbed. Lift cash for the carer, document it, and ask for receipts.

As PP's said either online shop or a Revolut card that you can top up as needed. You get an alert every time it is used. I got one for my daughter rather than pay fees or GoHenry.

Halifax have a carers card specifically for this - and the amount that can be spent on it has a weekly debit card limit / atm limit.
Please dont give the carers your mother’s card and pin as there are other safe alternatives

Absolutely not. Best option is to investigate the carer cards or cash. Really unprofessional to ask for it

Could do a standing imprest. She transfers £200 say. You spend £30, so you’ve now got £170, give her the receipt, she refunds £30 so you’re now backup to £200. So you’re paying from your own account but you’re always in credit.

Big settling up when you leave the employment.

This , or Monzo, you're in charge of the balance & can see every transaction

I agree with either or cash or a card like Revolut, but still would go with cash. Also, keep your Mums primary bank card away from the carers, even without a pin, online payments can still be made
with card numbers, exp date etc.

Even though most transactions do need to be authorised through the banking app or via text, some transactions will go straight through.

Against terms and conditions from the bank, surely?

If the card was lost you'd have no redress.

Is it a domiciliary carer? I've noticed they're often grey areas with things like bank cards.
I've worked with clients who've happily given card and pin because they haven't been able to access cash but truthfully I'd not allow that, no matter how lovely the carer is for my own mum. It's just a complete unnecessary risk.
I think cash and a receipt is what you need and also if your mum collects club card or nectar points please make sure you leave her loyalty card and stipulate which shop you want her shopping done at.
Only because I've known carers to go and buy more expensive or unwanted items to collect points on their cards.
Also buy one get one free offers where a carer has taken the free ones for themselves is common and total financial abuse.

My mum had a basic NatWest account. No direct debit or overdraft allowed. I was POA so could monitor/top up from my phone.

Carer might tell me that my mother needed new slippers , or something, and I could ensure there was enough in the account. In an emergency I could have topped up from my mums main account (I was POA) for whatever was needed.

It's so sad that this is everyone's opinions of carers. I understand why as so many people have taken advantage of vulnerable people but each service users file should have a service users guide inside and that should state about shopping calls and the expectations of how to pay, a financial transaction sheet should be completed by the carer with the amount taken, if it's card or cash used, amount spent and the change received and where they shopped. This is signed by the carer and service user, a recipient also has to be obtained and put in with the financial transaction sheet. There has to be a paper trail for everything.

As a former care worker who used to shop for some ients, we were not allowed to carry client’s cards or have access to the PIN. If there was a need for shopping then we were expected to use cash left by family and provide receipts.

Prepaid reloadable card.

Never give your PIN to anyone. You're breaking the T&Cs of your account and it means the bank aren't going to refund in the case of fraud.

A prepaid reloadable card means the carers aren't out of pocket and you have accountability and control.

Have you spoken to her SW about it? There should be a plan.

I would also change the pin asap - if she was robbed there would be no redress from the bank as she’s shared her details.

Starling also do a carers’ card

£200 limit
Cant be used in ATMs or gambling shops
you get an alert in the app for every transaction & shop details, like Go Henry.

https://www.starlingbank.com/features/connected-shopping-card/

No reputable carer would even ask for this.

I lived 100 miles from my mother. Though I visited every other week I was not in a position to prove cash should there be an emergency. I started off using an agency and with cash left with the medicine, but it would disappear. I then asked the bank for an equivalent to the card my teenagers had, and they suggested a basic savings account, as in my post above.

Far better. I could see every transaction. My mum would get lunch at her sheltered accommodation but the carer would buy her a sandwich for her to eat in the evening. More cleaning materials or toiletries, the occasional item of clothing.

No way . They would be free to buy anything in the future online . Up to the expiry of course.. But no . And this is not all about carers, it’s anyone . Use cash with receipts.

I think this is a bit more serious than just saying “no” because they shouldn’t be asking. Personally I’d contact the bank as I would if anyone else was attempting to access her money in a dodgey way.

Carer's card is standard practise. Care agency then invoice any spends at end of month. Very unprofessional to do anything else. Cash is also not ideal. Keeping track of cash, spends and receipts becomes a big chore. Suspicions can also arise when money goes missing. It may be taken or in so many cases just squirrelled away in another handbag or drawer.