How to protect the elderly from scams

Scams are becoming more prevalent with modern society’s increased reliance on technology and elderly people are among the most vulnerable. Becoming a victim of a scam could see your loved one hand over personal details including banking information or transferring money directly to fraudsters.

So, what can you do to prevent an elderly relative from being scammed and what are the steps to take if you find they have already fallen victim?

Different types of scams commonly used on the elderly

The first line of defence against elderly scams is to educate yourself on what to look out for. While each instance may be nuanced, the different types of scams are likely to fall into one of these categories.

• Phone scams - an unsolicited call from someone pretending to be someone they’re not. This type of scam against the elderly often relies on pretending it’s an authority figure they trust, like the police, a representative from the bank or HMRC.
• Romance scams - preying on the loneliness many older people experience, sweetheart scams often start online and flatter the recipient into handing over large amounts of money.
• Text scams - similar to phone scams, these fraudulent texts often claim to be from someone trustworthy. They tend to ask for information relating to a payment, subscription or delivery and warn of adverse consequences if the recipient doesn’t take action.
• Postal scams - fraudulent letters can look very professional but tend to offer prizes, unclaimed compensation or inheritance, or claim to be unpaid bills.
• Social media scams - the grandparent scam is common on social platforms, with fraudsters claiming a grandchild is in trouble and needs immediate help.
• Email scams - often containing fraudulent links, phishing emails aim to collect personal data and credit card information.

Ways to help prevent the elderly from being scammed

Protecting the elderly from scams can be tricky as each type of fraud is different and you can be accused of interfering. It’s important to have calm conversations about the dangers of scams and try not to sound condescending.

The key message to convey is that they should be suspicious and not act quickly. Ask them not to give out money until they discuss it with someone they trust and ensure they don’t open emails or attachments from unknown people.

Reiterating these messages regularly can help keep the issue in their minds, but there are other measures you can set up too. For example, using a call screening service for the elderly can ensure suspicious numbers don’t get through to your relatives.

How people living with dementia are vulnerable to scams

Dementia is known to cause a decline in complex executive functions, which can affect planning and impulse control. This means that people living with dementia are more likely to give money away to scammers.

Setting up direct debits or subscriptions in response to cold calls or scam letters is a common occurrence in people living with dementia. They can then be added to lists that mean they are repeatedly targeted in the future.

What are the signs that someone has been scammed?

Elderly fraud often comes with a number of warning signs that a scam has been committed, so it’s important to be alert to these. They can include unpaid bills piling up, letters or documents from unexpected parties, large withdrawals from bank accounts and cheques made out to ‘cash’.

What to do if an elderly relative has become a victim of a scam or fraud

If you find your friend or relative has been a victim of a scam, you should be supportive and guide them through a number of steps. This will help to minimise the impact of the fraud and help with scam prevention going forward.

1. Immediately halt communication with the fraudster, as their manipulative behaviour could result in further damage.
2. Cancel any subscriptions or direct debits that have been set up as a result of the scam and alert the bank to the situation.
3. Change passwords for online accounts.
4. Help them to report the fraud in order to prevent others being duped by the same perpetrators.
5. Look into the possibility of recovering any financial losses.
6. Speak to your loved one about how to avoid getting scammed and put preventative measures in place.
7. Seek support from local services.

Explore resources and support for looking after elderly relatives

• What to do if you're the victim of a scam
• Latest scams targeting the elderly
• Help and advice on caring for the elderly
• Choosing the right care