Episodes

  • The Willpower Detectives - Ep 7. Rescue Me
    Dec 12 2024

    The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney – how one man controls the finances of scores of vulnerable people. Sue Mitchell holds those responsible to account and ends with the story of one woman, now on the brink of a new life. She is taking back control of her finances and is on the move.

    Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money. It often involves people with little or no family to ask questions about where they are moved to, or to challenge the fees involved. It can be people who’ve accumulated wealth over a lifetime, whose assets are now helping to fund those who are taking decisions for them. The series looks at the loopholes that allow it to happen and the relationship between care homes, social workers and a business taking on a huge number of powers of attorney. It begins with the concerned friends and relatives who want to know what has happened to their neighbour or loved one; Where have they gone? And why has their home been emptied and sold? This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.

    Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

    Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

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    33 mins
  • The Willpower Detectives - Ep 6. Falling on Deaf Ears
    Dec 9 2024

    A man receives compensation after abuse in a Catholic boarding school and wants to know what has happened to some of his money. He asks Sue Mitchell to help him find out more.

    The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

    Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money.

    Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

    Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • The Willpower Detectives - Ep 5. Rich Pickings
    Dec 9 2024

    Who do people turn to if they fear that vulnerable neighbours need help, especially when relatives live far away? Sue Mitchell follows cases, hearing from some of those involved.

    The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

    This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.

    Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

    Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • The Willpower Detectives - Ep 4. Undue Influence
    Dec 9 2024

    Pam and Sylvie ask for help finding their friend and warn of the pressure felt to sign Power of Attorney orders. Sue Mitchell helps them search and investigates what has happened.

    The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

    Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money. This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.

    Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

    Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • The Willpower Detectives - Ep 3. My Dying Wish
    Dec 9 2024

    Sue Mitchell tracks what happens when a rock and roll roadie leaves his estate to his closest friends. They become increasingly concerned that things aren't being properly handled.

    The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - concerned neighbours ask Sue for help.

    This series examines how one man has taken control of the finances of scores of vulnerable people and also acts as executor on many wills. By tracking recent cases through national databases, Sue Mitchell meets friends and relatives of some of those who have died and examines concerns about the way that things were handled.

    This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse. Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK

    Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

    Show more Show less
    31 mins
  • The Willpower Detectives - Ep 2. A Trust Betrayed
    Dec 9 2024

    Maisie was struggling to cope and thought giving someone control of her finances would help: she later regretted signing that Power of Attorney order and tells Sue Mitchell why.

    The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - Concerned neighbours ask Sue Mitchell for help.

    Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money. It often involves people with little or no family to ask questions about where they are moved to, or to challenge the fees involved. It can be people who’ve accumulated wealth over a lifetime, whose assets are now helping to fund those who are taking decisions for them.

    Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

    Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • The Willpower Detectives - Ep 1. The Doorstep Stranger
    Dec 9 2024

    Concerned neighbours ask Sue Mitchell for help in finding out how one man has taken control of the finances of scores of vulnerable people.

    This is the hidden scandal of Power of Attorney.

    In Hertfordshire towns, people who live alone are disappearing. Their neighbours are wondering why they’ve not seen them, or if they might have died.

    Giving someone else control of your finances and decisions – through Lasting Power of Attorney – is meant to come with a guarantee that they always act in your best interest. In this series, BBC investigative reporter Sue Mitchell explores a widespread business practice where some people are moved out of their homes and left with no idea what is happening to their money. It often involves people with little or no family to ask questions about where they are moved to, or to challenge the fees involved. It can be people who’ve accumulated wealth over a lifetime, whose assets are now helping to fund those who are taking decisions for them. The series looks at the loopholes that allow it to happen and the relationship between care homes, social workers and a business taking on a huge number of powers of attorney. It begins with the concerned friends and relatives who want to know what has happened to their neighbour or loved one; Where have they gone? And why has their home been emptied and sold? This is an original investigation, with recordings in real time, exploring how power of attorney orders can be used for better or worse.

    Shadow World: Gripping stories from the shadows - BBC investigations from across the UK.

    Presented by Sue Mitchell Produced by Sue Mitchell, Joel Moors and Winifred Robinson

    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Introducing The Willpower Detectives
    Dec 5 2024

    The hidden scandal of Power of Attorney - how one man controls the finances of scores of vulnerable people.

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    3 mins