My parents think I'm stealing money from their debit card?
Asked by
Moonaa (
134
)
March 28th, 2013
They got a letter saying that the card was shut off because of purchases that weren’t made by them.
They called me down to look at the transaction record and asked me if I made any of them. I’m the only kid so I’m the only one that would have access to the card.
But I didn’t. I have my own debit card and the charges were made to a web hosting site which is something I wouldn’t have any business in.
I explained to them that all of my accounts (itunes, zappos, amazon, etc.) are set up with my debit card and I check it every time. I offered to show them my transaction list but they said no.
I went back to my room and remembered that back in January my stepmom’s computer got a “virus” and she was forced to pay for this fishy virus protection software that wouldn’t let her close out until she paid for it (with that debit card).
I remembered it was the debit card because she doesn’t use it and said that she didn’t care if it was a scam because there’s only a limited amount of money on that card anyway. When she cancelled the virus software it was very unprofessional.
She just called and complained and the guy said “okay” and the money was wired back to her account. But they still had the card information. So I reminded her of that, but she didn’t seem convinced.
And now I’m worried that by bringing that up, I’ve dug my own grave by seeming like I’m trying to get out of trouble.
So what can I do? I feel like I’m being accused of something I didn’t do! I would NEVER steal money from my parents.
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10 Answers
I learned both as a kid and later in my career that an honest admission usually solves problems like this quickly and relatively painlessly. The more you avoid telling your parents what happened, the guiltier you look—and in fact, the guiltier you are. Sit them down and tell them what you’ve told us and I’m betting they’ll understand. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
I agree with the wise @Pachyderm_In_The_Room. If they will not listen to you, write it down as you have here and leave it for them to read. Sorry you are going through this. It’s horrible when people you love think you are guilty of bad behaviour when you are not. This will pass.
@Moonaa Do not back down. Hold your spine straight and be confident when voicing yourself to them and in knowing that you are being truthful and have integrity.
Likely when this comes to pass as all things do they will probably trust you even more with things as they realize you did not betray them.
?? @Pachyderm_In_The_Room, I think she is telling us that her stepmother, and not she, used the debit card in January. Am I misreading? If she’s telling us the truth, there’s nothing for her to admit.
@Jeruba I think @Pachyderm_In_The_Room meant to reintegrate the truth to them, that it was not her that used the debit card. Unless I misread that too.
(reiterate and not reintegrate, please.)
Simply repeat, calmly (which I know is difficult) what you have told us.
Thanks, @CuriousLoner. What you said is what I intended to communicate. My main point was, get the thing out in the open.
You may want to inform your parents about Atm Scams
They may be victims to this latest scam. It is not merely happening in the US. It it happening in many countries.
If you commit to your defense by pursuing real actionable channels by which to solve the problem and perhaps achieve justice for the perpetrators (filing reports, contacting the FCC, helping your parents dispute the charges with the bank, etc), you will have much more credibility with your parents.
Someone who is lying about where the money went wouldn’t open up all those avenues for fear of being found out when those third parties start investigating for real.
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