Dear MP
Power of Attorney abuse
Having heard BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours Programme (originally broadcast on 27th December 2021 and available on the iplayer at https://bbc.in/345iVEx) I urge you to take action to protect us all as soon as possible. It is clear the Office of Public Guardian’s systems are not fit for purpose and we are all vulnerable to fraud from criminals obtaining Power of Attorney over anyone, obtaining full control over our finances and property.
The fact that the victim in the programme has not been supported by public authorities in remedying the appalling situation she is in, and that the police have not taken the occurrence of this crime seriously and started investigating is appalling.
The fact that the Office of Public Guardian is a department under Dominic Raab’s responsibilities gives us all even greater cause for concern. He has an opportunity to redeem his reputation by tacking this matter urgently.
The matter exercises me as a potential victim, but also as an attorney for my mother and aunt, both of whom are not able to manage their own affairs. The bureaucracy involved in obtaining that status was not easy and the use of that power is still hindered by an administrative burden that is trying. Given that, if a criminal can then bring into question the validity of my status with companies that I need to deal with is serious heart sink because they need to be able to trust my status.
This matter needs urgent government attention not just for the safety of those who use Power of Attorney status but for anyone who has assets because it’s clear that powers to control those assets can be easily and fraudulently obtained with little victims can do to take action once it has occurred.
Yours faithfully,
ShaunOConnell.com 