Financial Abuse, sometimes also referred to as material abuse is the theft or misuse of money, property or personal belongings, taken without consent or under pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance. This is the main type of abuse investigated by the Office of the Public Guardian for adults at risk of abuse or neglect. Research has shown where there are other forms of abuse there is likely to be financial abuse occurring.

Financial abuse is never acceptable, no matter how minor....it is a crime.

Financial abuse can happen to people anywhere and at any time and affects people from all types of backgrounds. It can happen in a person’s home, care home, day centre, hospital or in a public place.

Financial abuse can include the following;

• Theft of money or possessions
• Fraud or scamming
• Preventing a person from accessing their own money, benefits or assets
• Undue pressure, threat or influence put on the person in connection with loans, wills,
  property, inheritance or financial transactions
• Arranging less care than is needed to save money to maximise inheritance
• Denying assistance to manage/monitor financial affairs or access to benefits
• Misuse of personal allowance in a care home
• Misuse of benefits or direct payments in a family home
• False representation, using another person's bank account, cards or documents
• Exploitation of a person’s money or assets, e.g. un-authorised use of a car
• Misuse of a power of attorney, deputy, appointeeship or other legal authority
• Rogue trading e.g. unnecessary or overpriced property repairs and failure to carry out
  agreed repairs or poor workmanship

Possible signs of financial abuse include the following;

• Missing money or personal possessions
• Unexplained lack of money or increased withdrawal of funds
• The person allocated to manage financial affairs is evasive or uncooperative
• Family or others show unusual interest in the assets of the person
• Sudden changes in wills, title deeds for property or financial arrangements
• Lack of heating, clothing or food with an inability to pay bills
• Unexplained loss or misplacement of financial documents
• A lack of clear financial accounts held by a care home or service
• Failure to provide receipts for shopping or other financial transactions carried out on behalf of the person
• Disparity between the person’s living conditions and their financial resources, e.g. insufficient food in the house
• Unnecessary property repairs being carried out

If you see any of the above be professionally curious, look more closely and ask questions. Your should always escalate safeguarding concerns to your manager. Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board Thresholds Tool provides guidance on when to make a safeguarding referral to Adult Social Care.

If you are concerned an adult at risk is being financially abused you should report it to the Single Point of Access, Cumberland council. 

If you have concerns about an adult in Allerdale, Carlisle or Copeland contact Cumberland Council on 0300 373 3732

If you have concerns about an adult in Barrow, Eden or South Lakeland contact Westmorland and Furness Council on 0300 373 3301