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In this issue:
40% of older people in the UK with dementia are regularly targeted by scam mail resulting in some losing significant amounts of money.
15% have been approached by rogue traders or had unnecessary work done on their properties.
70% were routinely targeted by rogue traders over the telephone.
62% had been approached by cold callers or doorstep sales people.
Scams can have a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of people especially older ones.
It is therefore vital that people who may be vulnerable and those who care for them, are close friends or relatives understand and recognise what a scam is and what can be done if their loved ones have been targeted.
Information on how to recognise and beat the scammers is available on our website.
For more information on Dementia visit the Dementia Friends website.
Registering your phone number with The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is FREE and can offer some protection against nuisance calls. Visit: www.tpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 070 0707.
There are also ‘call blocking’ devices available but before buying one do your homework first. Look at online reviews recorded by people who have purchased one rather than agreeing to purchase from someone who has called you out of the blue.
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As part of Scams Awareness Month Coventry CAB and Trading Standards will be holding an event on Friday 23 May 2014 in the CAB courtyard at Kirby House, Little Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2JZ from 9.30am until 3.00pm. Anyone who would like advice or information on scams and scam awareness are welcome.
The CAB have also produced a short film - Spot Scams, Stop Scams. You can watch this via: http://bit.ly/1kocVGW
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This week Coventry Trading Standards were invited to speak to staff and residents living in one of the City’s sheltered accommodation properties. The event was to raise awareness of possible scams that residents may receive via the telephone, mail or even traders calling at the home. Experiences were shared by everyone which showed that many residents had received lottery type scams, PPI scams, accident claim scams etc. and one was even approached in the street to buy gold at a very knock down price. As with most scams, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
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