Updated 2d ago · Culture
Dear Abby Advice Column on Father-in-Law's Constant Calls
A reader asked Dear Abby whether she must keep fielding calls from a father-in-law scammed by online contacts. Abby said no, with conditions.
- 8 years married, and the father-in-law has shown little interest in the family.
- He repeatedly makes negative comments about her work as a lawyer.
- He has been scammed multiple times by people he met online.
- Her husband rarely answers his father's calls, so the requests go to her.
Why it matters: The writer says her father-in-law has no spouse, siblings, other children or friends. That leaves her as his main contact.
- She has three small children and calls his requests draining.
- Abby said she should first tell him to stop the jabs about lawyers.
How 3 sources split on this story
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3 sources · 3 articles · 34% Left coverage
Center1 source
Left1 source
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right runs it as a personal advice column about family boundaries and a relative's repeated scam losses.
What’s next: If he doesn't stop, Abby said the husband should take over his father's calls.
- Abby pointed to North Dakota Health and Human Services' Adult and Aging Division for scam help.
- A second letter asked about parents barring baby photos online; Abby endorsed the policy.
- Whether state adult services can recover losses or prevent further scams in this case.
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