How to spot a scam – a carer’s guide
Scams and frauds are, sadly, quite commonplace and they are getting more convincing by the day. As a carer, you are working with the people who are most at risk from scams – the vulnerable and the elderly.Having an awareness of how scams work can help you to be more vigilant at spotting the signs that someone you care for or support is being defrauded. In this carer’s guide, we explore what types of scams to watch out for, the warning signs that someone might be a victim and what you should do if you have any suspicions.
Type of scam
There are a number of different ways that scammers might try to approach a vulnerable or elderly person. One of the most common ways is over the phone, as it is hard for the receiver to verify the identity of the caller.Some cold calls might not strictly be scams; they could be companies trying to sell their services or products, but some of the tactics used can make the receiver feel pressured into signing up for something they don’t need. Some cold calls are more sinister, and include people claiming to be from a bank with a view to obtaining account details, or from a computer protection service claiming that a computer has a virus and that a certain software must be installed to wipe it (while actually downloading software that can track and steal personal information). Other common spam calls include accident compensation claims and ‘HMRC’ about a reported tax refund.Similar scams can also be sent out via email or by post. Scammers can pay a great deal of attention to detail and these correspondences can seem genuine. The email or letter will usually include a link to click or a number to call, which will charge you or take your personal details.Other scams can happen in person, on the doorstep. These can be particularly scary for vulnerable or elderly people, as it’s an intrusion. Scammers don’t always come across as pushy or take a hard-sell approach. More often than not they will seem genuine, polite, friendly and trustworthy. They can make it very hard to say no.
Advice to pass on
During the course of your work with service users, you can stay aware of whether there are any measures that a person could put in place to protect themselves against these types of scams and fraud.[Ads]It might be as simple as passing on a leaflet or weblink with some simple advice to either the service user themselves or to their family. Or you might watch a programme on the topic together on television and discuss what happens.It might be that the person you are caring for expresses concern about being scammed and wants some advice on good measures. The main point is to always confirm who they are speaking to or being contacted from. If someone comes to the door during your visit, ask where they are visiting from and their name. Tell them that you will directly contact their company and confirm the purpose of their visit; never let anyone into a client’s house unannounced.You might wish to suggest that your client signs up to the Telephone Preference Service, which could help reduce the number of cold calls, and put a ‘No cold callers’ sign up on the door.
Warning signs of Scams
Often, victims of scams either don’t realise they are being scammed, or they do realise but they don’t know how to get out of it. They may feel embarrassed and unsure, and not want to talk about what has happened or is happening.There are some things that you may notice that should trigger alarm bells. For example, if they have always ensured you are paid on time (if they pay you directly) or you help them with their shopping, but they suddenly seem to be struggling with money without any obvious reason, this could be a sign that they have paid out money they weren’t planning to.They might suddenly get more post, calls, emails or visitors than before; once someone has been scammed once, the scammers often put the pressure on. They have found a target and now they can try and hassle them to get more information or money out of them.They may also seem very anxious and upset without an obvious reason, and they may seem more withdrawn, jumpy or nervous. While this could relate to many things, it’s important to raise your concerns.
What you should do
If you’re working for a client who has close family, it is a good idea to raise your concerns with them first. Clearly outline what you have noticed and ask whether they have any concerns of their own. There might be things happening in their lives that you are not aware of that can account for the signs you’ve noticed, and family can inform you of that.You could also try speaking to your client yourself. Just a gentle, kind chat might prompt them into talking to you about what they are worried about. They might even find it easier to speak to you than a close family member. Don’t push too hard; remember you are working for them or on behalf of them. Be a listening ear while going about your tasks, and don’t judge them. If they do reveal any concerns, you should let their family or other support networks know to take the matter forward.If your client doesn’t open up, but you still have worries you could refer it to the Adult Safeguarding team at their local authority. They can investigate if they feel that there is a situation in which an older or vulnerable person is being scammed and taken advantage of. This can be a particularly useful avenue if you are worried that your client is being scammed by someone they know. You can use our Postcode Checker to find the relevant local authority to contact.