What should you do if you know someone that is embezzling but have no proof?

Question

My dad is and has been for years, stealing money from the company he works for. he tells me what he is doing. he gets several checks from his work on the day he gets paid. he burns the proof that he got these checks though. its wrong and against the law. but he's my dad. what should i do?

Answer 1

There is always going to be some trail of the money he is taking, so he is fooling himself that he is getting rid of all of the evidence. The longer he continues to do this and the more money he procures in this manner, then the greater the punishment when he finally does get caught.

Do whatever you feel comfortable with. If you wish to turn him in, then it would be best for him if you went to someone in Accounting at his company, or to his immediate boss. That way they could keep the matter and how to deal with it within the company and not involve the law.

Edit: And people who are stating that it isn't your business are full of it. I sincerely hope they are never the victims of a crime where there is a witness. By the advice they are spouting, then the witness should never come forward since it is none of their business.

One person here does have a point, though, in that your dad might just be kidding around with you. You may have "caught" him burning old check stubs which he no longer needed and handed you that line in jest.

Answer 2

The easy answer is that you should report it to the Police because it is a criminal offence. However I think you already know that. Should you actually do it? That is much more difficult. Once you have done it there is no going back. How do you think the rest of the family would react ? If you personally end up getting punished more than your father that does not seem an easy way to go. Some would argue that in telling you your father wants to be found out. That he is actually calling for help. Maybe. I think I would try and discuss it with someone like a priest or a doctor who might be able to offer advice without being allowed to tell anyone of your concerns.

Answer 3

Well, that's a tough one. It's nice to see that you don't take after him in that respect, and that you know right from wrong. Too many people either don't know or care! If it's really bothering you though, then try to talk to him. It may not do any good, because some people can get addicted to money, just like drugs. And be happy that at least you can hold your head high knowing that you are an honest person. Good luck with everything, and I'm sorry that you are going through this.

Answer 4

First, where is mom or your grandparents? If still alive, talk to them! If he gets the checks from his work and he is writing checks, to himself or a company, that is majority of the proof. The bank will be able to indicate where the checks are going. Lastly, if you are in school, you have a choice of informing your teacher(s).

A few things to remember is make sure that what your dad is doing is illegal! You do not want to accuse anyone for doing something that they are not doing. Secondly, if he is and you know about it, you are as guilty as he is! If all else fells, call the police or your dad's work and do not tell them who you are!

Answer 5

sounds like he has a son that's trying to get him in lots of trouble. I would stay out of it. I wouldn't tell on my own father unless he was a pedophile or senselessly killing innocent people. If you are so offended by his embezzlement leave him alone. He'll get caught eventually so let it be. That way you will never blame yourself for the downfall of the family.
I will ad, i hate snitches.
The owner of the company maybe a thief himself. No one gets to the top being nice or honest.
I'm not condoning what your father has done, but you may not know of certain situations going on at your dads work. He will be caught, it's just a matter of time, no one gets aways with stealing forever. But please don't tell on your father for this type of situation.
Don't listen to "Jacob A" the law will be brought in. The company will call the FBI and it's a Federal crime. Your dad will be in prison for many, many years. Your family will lose everything.

Answer 6

Wow, there are a few moral and perhaps developmental issues here hey!
1) What is more important, your relationship with your father or your duty to the community?
2) Is there a way to meet your need to remain in a full relationship with both?
3) Is it time for you to act as an adult and demonstrate you have the capacity to do this?

What is evident is that it appears you are the adult and your father is being the child. Perhaps consider what you would do with a child. For example, am I enabling this behaviour by allowing my father to share his conquest with me? What would happen if I walked away when he tried to tell me? What would happen if I told him how this makes me feel?

As cruel as it may feel, it is okay to look at the morals of those closest to you. For example Kholberg details stages of development and some of the questions we must face. Don't worry, few make it to the last stage, so it is okay to give up and pretend nothing is happening, but how far do you want to go as an individual? If you look at Kholbergs Stage 5 Post conventional morality, you are attempting to form a bond with society in an environment that essentially is not assisting you...
What do other family members think? How do they cope with this knowledge? What if someone found out and told the police you knew about it?
But maybe now is a good time to draw a line in the sand and stand up for what you believe... maybe even fight for your right to believe and live what you believe!!! Good luck.

Answer 7

Burns the proof that he got checks? That would be the check stub information? That's only his copy...the original and original check are with his employer.

I think your dad is feeding you a bunch of BS. Anyway...not your business. If he is stealing from his employer his employer will eventually catch on and your dad will be spending a little time in his local jail cell shortly followed by some love time in his state's lock up.

All you have are stories told to you by your dad....nothing that you know to be true. Go about your life and let your dad live his sorry life.

Answer 8

Thats so hard. You want to be loyal to your family, but WHEN (not if, WHEN) he gets found out, he will be put in jail, and your family will be stripped of everything. Since companies have no way of really telling how much he has taken, they "Assume" and usually take like 10 times more. I've been this happen to a guy in the company my mom works for. He lost his home, his cars, his savings, the company revoked his 401K, and he's been in jail for 10 years and hasn't seen his children since the day he was put there. His wife remarried and took the kids to the other side of the country....


If this is the ending you want for your family, then do nothing. But if you want to stay a happy family. You need to stand up to your father. Tell him he needs to stop or you'll tell someone what's going on. Hopefully he stops.

Answer 9

He will get caught soon enough on his own. Most embezzlers usually do, because they get greedy and careless. Eventually the company figures out something is happening and an investigation leads to the perpetrator.

Answer 10

That is terrible. Maybe, you should try talking to your Dad, and let him that you suspect him of doing wrong. If, you know there is a possiblity that someone else, may to also. It is just a matter of time, before he gets caught.