Fraudsters are targeting the most vulnerable people in society, "they need more protection" says charity bosses.
The Alzheimer's Society estimates that 15% of people with dementia have been victims
of frauds such as scam mail, mis-selling or cold calling.
Those figures equal 112,500 people, losing an average of £850 each.
It
is also claimed that being a victim can cause a person's illness to
become worst and may even ultimately result in their death.
Social
isolation is blamed for the ease that some people suffering from
debenture become easy victims, "even though they realise what is
happening to them they continue to pay or send money just to keep up
some human contact" the City of London Police report said.
"Because of these con artists, my dad now finds it very difficult to trust people”
The
result of the research indicated that 62% of carers claimed that the
person they cared for had been approached in person by people on the
doorstep and 70% had been contacted telephone cold callers.
A spokesman for the Alzimers Society said they are only scratching the surface of the known abuse of the vulnerable.
The charity is compiling a training programme including;
Urging families who have a dementure sufferer to discuss money management at an early stage of their illness and consider the option of a power of attorney and redirecting post to stop junk mail.
The police have set up special departments to deal with elderly abuse and victims of financial crime.
They are also appealing to the wider community and society to look out for their neighbours, friends and family.
If
somebody thinks they, or someone anybody they know, may be a victim of
these type of crimes involving scams or rogue trading, they should
contact the police, council trading standards service or Crimestoppers
call 0800 555 111 without delay.
These
organizations should be adopting a pro active approach to intervention
so call them if you suspect somebody else is a victim even if they ask
you not to do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment