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International Federation on Ageing Conference, Prague 2012 Financial Protection from Scams

International Federation on Ageing Conference, Prague 2012 Financial Protection from Scams Louise Hughes Elder Abuse Programme Manager. Scams. A scam is a scheme that is designed to con people out of their cash. Research.

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International Federation on Ageing Conference, Prague 2012 Financial Protection from Scams

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  1. International Federation on Ageing Conference, Prague 2012 Financial Protection from Scams Louise Hughes Elder Abuse Programme Manager

  2. Scams • A scam is a scheme that is designed to con people out of their cash

  3. Research • ‘Short Changed: Protecting people with dementia from financial abuse’ Alzheimer’s Society 2012 • National Fraud Authority report on victims of fraud, 2011 • ‘Desperate times, desperate consumers’ Citizen’s Advice 2011 • ‘ The psychology of scams: Provoking and committing errors of judgement’ Office of Fair Trading 2009 • Office of Fair Trading report ‘Research on impact of mass marketed scams’ 2006

  4. Types of scams • Prize draw wins • Fake foreign lotteries • Bogus psychic predictions • Telephone scams • Miracle health cures • Investment scams • Doorstep crime • Internet scams • Fake bank security emails • Phishing for identity • Foreign money offers • Online dating

  5. Scam Mail

  6. Prize Draw Scam

  7. Common Traits • They are unsolicited • They promise something for nothing • They want money upfront • They seem too good to be true – and they are! • They are perpetrated by criminals who have no regard for the welfare of the victims

  8. Effects on the Victim • They often feel a loss of confidence, self worth, anxiety, depression • Feelings of guilt for falling for a scam • Fear that someone knows where they live • Mental and physical health can deteriorate • Debt • Become estranged from family and friends • Becoming addicted to the scam mail • Irrational belief that they will win something soon • Older people on average lost twice as much as other age groups with many becoming ‘chronic’ scam victims

  9. Identifying chronic scam victims • Lots of junk mail being received • House full of cheap goods, jewellery, clocks, calculators • Frequent calls from strangers • Mood swings • Withdrawing from family and friends • Secretive about finances • May be a victim of other crimes; doorstep crime

  10. Preventative approaches • NATIONALLY • Age Cymru Scams Toolkit • Partnership working • Doorstep crime campaign • Training and awareness sessions • ‘Think Jessica’ Campaign • Conferences • Media • LOCALLY • Trading standards • Scambusters • Community Safety Partnerships • Advocacy services • Holistic approaches by adult social services

  11. Contact Details • Louise Hughes • Elder Abuse Programme Manager • Louise.hughes@agecymru.org.uk • Ffion Jones • Programme Administrator • Ffion.jones@agecymru.org.uk • Age Cymru • St Andrews Park • Queens Lane • Bromfield Industrial Park • Mold • Flintshire • CH7 1XB • 01352 706228 • www.agecymru.org.uk

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