Mil Receiving Loads Of Calls

[Redhelen72]

from insurance companies
I am talking about dozens a week (according to her)
when I went over I sorted out loads of excess insurances and since we have been back she has taken out 3 further insurances - which she claims she was bullied into taking due to the number of calls to her.

Is there a scheme that we can sign her up to?
we have tried telling her just to say no thank you and hang up - I have even left a list of insurances that she has in place but she continues to take out more and says its down to her getting flustered over the number of calls and forgetting that she has them already.

[DTCwordfan]

the financial ombudsman to complain is where I would start.

[barry1010]

Telephone Preference Scheme

I have a TrueCall phone which means that anyone not in my contacts has to identify themselves before the phone rings. Very often they don't bother and just hang up, I have not had a single cold call in the years I've had the phone. Easy to block any unwanted number that does get through
Amazon.com User Recommendation

[Redhelen72]

Cheers DTC will look into that

Barry will look at the TFC - there is no point in getting her a posh phone that does fancy things she can't work the aged handset she has had for over 10 years! Plus it would lead to more frustrating calls to us asking what to do its flashing!!!!

[roadman]

i wonder if she could just not pick the phone up

[barry1010]

It's not fancy, if someone can input her contacts in to the phone for her all she needs to do is answer it if it rings, like any other phone. The facility to block a number is useful and is very easy to use but not essential.
It is designed for older people with big numbers and a clear screen.

[Redhelen72]

We have suggested that as she has an answer phone so just do call screening that way!! But she is stubborn!

[Redhelen72]

Ah OK Barry - will look into it but I suspect it will have to wait until we go over and do it - as apparently her other son is far too important to do stuff like this (according to her)

[nero2024]

Sounds like she needs help
never let her answer the door to a double glazing salesman

[Redhelen72]

Too late nero - she spent 5 grand getting her roof insulated on the back of some bloke who turned up and spent 2 minutes in the loft

[Zacs-Master]

The problem here isn't the phone, is it?

[Redhelen72]

Nope Zacs but until the eldest son sees what is obvious to everyone else there is little we can do.
I am just trying to help out in little ways because quite frankly i am stressed to the hilt getting messages from her friends and her about her financial matters

[Barmaid]

It sounds to me that with her forgetfulness and confusion, it might be time to consider someone being able to assist her in a more formal role.

Does she have an LPA? If not, (and try to put to one side the fact that you think she is nuts), an application for Deputyship may be in order. However, this will depend on whether she actually has capacity to deal with her property and affairs. Just the fact that she is vulnerable though will not be enough.

Has there been any social services involvement?

[Peter Pedant]

thanks for sensible advice Barmaid

she is clearly on one of Those Lists. ( suckers' list I think)

[Redhelen72]

LPA?
The boys have something in place drawn up by a lawyer that says when she is no longer able to manager then they have the right to take over.

However the oldest son doesn't seem to think there is that much wrong with her - infact he had her down in london looking after his 3 kids the other week!

Social services have been involved and have made suggestions to help her out but she won't always take them up on it.

The major issue is that she has a substantial bank account and savings and is as tight as a ducks ***!

[Redhelen72]

I have discovered that she also does lots of phoning as the companies have sent me proof

[Barmaid]

I imagine the document to which you refer is an LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney).

Capacity is action specific though. Just because brother thinks that she can look after his kids, it does not necessarily follow that she can cope with finances.

You need to actually check the LPA. Some can be used immediately and some can only be used when capacity is lost. If it can be used immediately, Mr Red could (with his mother) set up systems and procedures to make it less easy for people to get her to part with money.

[Redhelen72]

Thanks BM - we are having words tonight because today has shown up more issues

[Peter Pedant]

the boys...... suggests that she has nearer rels than you.
fr'instance - why are the frenz ringing you and not the boys.

to use TTT vile rhyming slang - you are being taken for a foo-foo

or to paraphrase Marshall Mcluhan- it is the medium and not the message - she likes the activity and hour involvement and doesnt really want a solution ( which is why she rings them up in the first place)

[Redhelen72]

the boys are my husband and his brother

his brother lives in London and has 3 young kids and a FT job and is quite honestly selfish and really can't be bothered too much.
Obviously my husband lives with me in NI

I think she is lonely and speaking to these companies give her much needed company - her friends phone me because they cannot get hold of her sons.
She is at times a horrible person and believe me i am so stressed trying to deal with her

[MargoTester]

RH -I struggle to understand why you get involved if stresses you so much, why not let your husband deal with her, she's his mother after all.