Keeping Vulnerable Adults Safe from Scams

[wendy]

Scams are schemes designed to con you out of your money. They can arrive by post, phone call, text message, email or from someone on your doorstep turning up at your home, when you are not expecting them.

Although anyone can fall for a scam, some people can be more vulnerable to these approaches and are more likely to be targeted.

People who can be especially vulnerable to scams include older people and people with mental health problems, learning difficulties or dementia.

If you are a carer, relative, friend or neighbour of someone who is vulnerable, you might be the only person who can stop them from being scammed

Some signs that someone is a scam victim or is in danger of becoming a victim can include:

Receiving a lot of junk mail
Have a house full of cheap-looking goods such as jewellery and health products
Receive frequent calls from strangers
Become secretive when discussing finances with family and friends

To help protect a vulnerable friend or relative from scams you can ask them to:

never give out their name, address, bank account details or any other personal information
speak to you before replying to any offer
never trust someone who says they’ve won a prize
not ring any number they are given to claim a prize
never send money to anyone to claim a prize
help them to ask Royal Mail to re-direct their post either to you or another trusted friend or relative
help them sign up to the free Telephone and Mailing Preference Services, which cuts down unwanted phone calls, texts and post.
http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Business/Trad ... /index.htm

[annie]

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