Anyone can be the victim of a scam, however some people are more vulnerable to scams and criminals will use this to their advantage.
People living with a cognitive impairment such as dementia, may be particularly vulnerable because they may be less able to distinguish a scam from legitimate contact. Criminals also appear to be targeting people with memory problems specifically because they know they may not remember being scammed before.
That’s why a new guide has been produced: Are you or your loved ones being targeted by scams? Help to manage finances and avoid scams for people at risk and those who support them.
This guide has been prepared by the National Trading Standards Scams Team and the National Centre for Post Qualifying Social Work and Professional Practice at Bournemouth University, working in partnership with Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.
The guide provides information to individuals and their loved ones to help protect them from scams. It suggests measures that can be put in place to help prevent criminals from making contact, such as the use of call blockers and the mail redirection service. It also provides information on managing finances to reduce the risk of scams, such as implementing a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Download the guide here.
Notes to Editors
About National Trading Standards
National Trading Standards delivers national and regional consumer protection enforcement. Its Board is made up of senior and experienced heads of local government trading standards from around England and Wales with an independent Chair. Its purpose is to protect consumers and safeguard legitimate businesses by tackling serious national and regional consumer protection issues and organised criminality and by providing a “safety net” to limit unsafe consumer goods entering the UK and protecting food supplies by ensuring the animal feed chain is safe.