Total Wealth

A friend of mine, who happens to be a successful, self-employed business owner, was the victim of financial fraud. Not from a stranger, but from someone he knew very well. When his daughter suddenly requested more money for college expenses, he suggested a later time to discuss her request. However, his daughter’s mother – his ex-wife – had a more immediate solution to his daughter’s cash flow needs. After all, she knew her ex’s social security number and could imitate his signature. When my friend discovered what had happened, he did not lay down like a doormat as the ex had hoped. He took legal action. It was complicated (for everyone), embarrassing (for her), and frankly, the only self-respecting option he had. More than happy to discuss and provide for his childrens’ real needs, he was not about to be taken to the bank in such an underhanded way. He stood up for himself, and righted the wrong, removing the item from his financial record, and placing the responsibility with the person who had signed the fraudulent loan papers. Shortly after hearing this story, I met someone else, a middle-aged woman. She was exhausted, working three jobs.