I am urging older people across the region to be “scam aware” as incidences of targeted scam and fraud crimes against them have seen significant rises. I recently met with representatives from Age Scotland at the Scottish Parliament where the very real threat of scammers trying to take advantage of older people was discussed.
Recent statistics from Age Scotland show that over 400,000 older people living in Scotland have been targeted by scammers with the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland reporting “a huge increase in reports of scams affecting older people.”
Anyone can fall for a scam, regardless of their age or health. However, older people can be at a greater risk of falling for a scam and scammers prey on increased vulnerabilities. This is why I am urging older people and their families to be aware of people trying to rip them off.
There has been a massive increase in scams involving impersonating family members over text messages and social media – and this can exploit some older people’s relative unfamiliarity with technology, as well as taking advantage of those who live alone and have limited social contact meaning they may not be able to discuss the messages with someone else to work out if they are real or not.
Scams can take many forms and can take place over telephone, at the doorstep, over mail or online and these heartless criminals have been specifically targeting older and more vulnerable people over the cost-of-living crisis making the impact of their crimes even worse.
Age Scotland have excellent advice and guidance for people to look at on their website – and I would encourage older people and their families to read up on this and make sure they are aware of the ways scammers are targeting people in order to help reduce these exploitative crimes.
Age Scotland Scam Advice and Guidance: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/information-advice/money-matters/scams/
Scam Advice from Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland:
• Your bank would never ask you to rush a payment through
• Banks and other financial regulatory organisations would never ask you to invest in gold or other investments
• Delivery companies will never ask for copies of your passport or driver’s license
• You should consider discussing investment opportunities with people you trust – do not rush into anything
• Your bank’s number calling your phone may not really be your bank- scammers can impersonate these numbers
• You should make sure you have your bank’s fraud department number saved in your phone to verify any calls you may get
• If something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is
