Evil burglars stealing from poor old MIL

[edam]

My MIL is a vulnerable little old lady. Very frail, very little confidence. So today some people turn up and tell her they are students and would she like them to do some jobs in the garden? Poor old MIL falls for it. And of course they 'just' go into the house to fetch a glass of water.

When they leave, MIL discovers her handbag is missing. With all the money SIL took out so MIL could go shopping tomorrow thanks to a lift from the nice ladies at Church who see she's OK round the supermarket. And all her cards. And her house keys.

Bastards. They clearly have conversational skills and the ability to win trust, why can't they earn an honest living?

(Dh has cancelled cards, MIL reported to the police SIL and BIL have gone round and will stay the night, locksmith has been called out. All just very sad.)

how dreadful and intrusive.sneaky bastards it is really sad,and must have shaken her up.give her a hug

I haveto cling to a belief in some kind of karma in these situations otherwise I'd explode. Your poor MIL.

I am so sorry edam

they are evil feckers

Thanks everyone - been off battling 1001 phone calls trying to sort this out. The fuckers have spent £2k on her cards. Thing is, she's confused and says she's had lots of phone calls this afternoon, so it's entirely possible she gave someone her PIN - if they called up and said 'Hello Mrs X, this is we just need to check a few details' she'd co-operate.

We have TOLD her again and again not to let strangers in but she keeps doing it. (I don't want to get cross with her but it is so frustrating.) Last time it was five gold watches she gave away to some fucker at the door. Dh's Dad must be turning in his grave. MIL and FIL were not loaded, they were just very careful about saving (and worked hard for every penny they earned). Now people are just taking it from MIL like sweets from a baby - everything she and her dh worked for all their lives. Everything that she SHOULD be spending on getting more care although she is reluctant to do it because she thinks she can't afford it...

So upsetting for your mother-in-law and worrying for you and your husband. It's hard to believe anyone would do this to a little old lady.

I'm sure you and your family have thought long and hard about this, but I was just wondering if you could put notes up reminding her not to open the door to strangers? And does she have a panic button? She might be a little nervous at being alone once her family have left. Poor soul. Hope she manages to get over it quickly.

thanks mellow, that's a very kind post. Yes, dh is going to put some reminders up on the wall for her. Panic button may be a good idea, will get dh to talk to SIL about it.

edam I wonder if you could persuade MIL to let you or other family members put remaining valuables in the bank or somewhere for safekeeping?

BALD - that's a good idea. If she's got any left. I have no idea - for instance, had never heard of the gold watches until she told dh proudly how well she was doing clearing all the junk out. But apparently they were dh's father's and grandparents' watches and had lots of sentimental value, quite apart from the irritation of some fucker running off with several thousand pounds of MIL's money. And then she won't employ cleaners or carers as often as she needs because she thinks she can't afford it...