This has turned into a big mess. My dad isn’t giving money to anyone, but he is still really upset about what’s going on with my mom. He just yelled at me tonight over it.
It all started a few weeks ago when he said he was getting calls from a Washington number about my mom being sued under her maiden name. A name she hasn’t used for over 20 years. I looked up the number and it was listed as a scam number.
I told him that, but he didn’t believe me. He’s convinced that either my brother or I gave out my mom’s information to the people who are supposedly suing her.
I talked to my mom and she has no idea what he’s talking about. She doesn’t even live with us anymore. She’s in Vermont with a new partner and has changed her address a few times recently.
Tonight, my dad called me really upset. Now, he’s getting more calls saying it’s about unpaid taxes from my mom. He’s accusing my brother and I of lying, saying there’s no way anyone could have his phone number except for us.
He even screamed that my mom must’ve taken our phones during one of her visits and used his numbers to give to the scammers. The last time they talked was over 10 years ago.
My mom insists she has always paid her taxes, and she hasn’t used her maiden name in decades. She doesn’t want anything to do with my dad.
I tried calling the number my dad gave me, but all it does is ring and then go silent.
Hey, just a heads-up to anyone new posting here… Please be careful of scammers who might message you privately claiming they can help recover your money for a fee. Always stick to public comments if you need help. And don’t share personal details like phone numbers or last names here. This forum is for support and advice, but keep it safe!
Also, please check out the full list of rules for the forum to help keep everyone safe and respectful. You can report anything suspicious by using the ‘report’ button.
It sounds like there’s more going on with your dad than just a scam. His behavior seems really intense, which might suggest a mental health issue. It’s definitely a scam, but the way he’s acting is a bigger concern.
@frazier
I agree. His current wife isn’t helping much either. This is just how he’s always been, but now he’s so sure this isn’t a scam. He can’t understand how anyone could have his numbers. I’m not sure how to handle this and get him to see it for what it really is.
This is definitely a scam. Scammers often use fake threats like lawsuits or tax issues to get people scared and trick them into giving away personal info or money.
Orion said:
This is definitely a scam. Scammers often use fake threats like lawsuits or tax issues to get people scared and trick them into giving away personal info or money.
That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to tell him, but he refuses to believe it. At this point, I’ve decided to take a break from talking to him for a few days while things cool down. My brother is handling the calls for now. I’ve learned the hard way that if I cry in front of him, he’ll just belittle me, so I’ve gotten good at hanging up when things get too heated.
Yes, it’s definitely a scam. They’re trying to pressure your mom into paying. The real worry now is about your dad. I would focus more on keeping your mom safe and making sure the authorities know about the threats he’s made. If anything happens to your mom, it’s important the police know exactly who made those threats.