just found out my son and his friend may be involved in bank card fraud - don't know what to do

[bargainmad]

my son is 16 and at 6th form college - had loads of previous problems with him in last 2 years - truanting, cannabis,hanging round with really bad crowd who were out all night.

He has new set of friends now who all seem ok but are definitely into cannabis and I always check my son's texts if his phone his lying around.

Just seen texts from one of his friends along the lines of someone has recruited him to open up bank accounts - he will give them the card and they give him a few hundred pounds. He was trying to persuade my son to do the same - I only saw the incoming texts, not any my son has sent.

One of the most recent from his friend was to say the card arrived, his mum had cancelled it and he got a letter from Nat West to say never come near the bank again.

So maybe they got caught and it will stop? It is a serious offence which could lead to prison.

I am definitely going to raise this with my son tonight. The issue of us reading his texts is immaterial as the trust went when he was 14 and he lies about everything.
I don't know what else to do - I don't really know the other boy or his mum - I get the impression the other lads are not involved from the texts.

Another worrying thing was when this lad got the money he would buy cocaine rather than cannabis.

Oh goodness, you poor thing. You must be so anxious. This situation must be tackled now. Your DS is still a child but over the age of responsibility so this could land him in trouble. Far less likely, however, if you deal with this head on and the authorities, should they become involved, know that you are aware, disapprove and are willing to work hard with them and him to prevent anything like this happening again.

I'm wondering what services might be available to give you the support and perhaps practical help to deal with this.

I got texts re buying skunk on a mobile that one of my DCs once borrowed - I reported the texts to the Police, gave them the number in question and left things to them after that. Could you talk to your community officer - you might find them sympathetic and helpful. Others here may have better/other ideas.

Good luck this evening -

i wouldn't talk to him about it.
i would go to the police.

maybe this will be his wake-up call

Would talk to your son first before jumping the gun and contacting the police !!! find out exactly what his involvement is and take it from there - it might not be as bad as you think. Good luck with it OP.