Financial Scamming and Fraud

Clear communication with those with dementia and their carers is essential in increasing awareness
of potential financial scams (Fenge 2017).
NHS guidance on communicating with people with dementia
offers the following advice:
Speak clearly and slowly,
using short sentences
Encouraging them to join in
conversations with others
Make eye contact with
the person when they're
talking
Encourage them to
speak for themselves
Allow time for the
individual to respond
Giving individuals simple
choices – avoid creating
complicated choices
Explore other ways to communicate – such as rephrasing
questions because they can't answer in the way they used to
Acknowledge what they have said, even if they don't answer your
question, or what they say seems out of context – show that you've
heard them and encourage them to say more about their answer
NHS Guide ‘Communicating with people with dementia’
Case Study
62% of carers said
the person they
care for had been
approached by
cold callers, or
doorstep sales
people.
(Alzheimer’s Society
2011)
Mr. K, 86, lost his wife 22 years ago and he now lives alone. He has
health and mobility issues and does not leave his property. He is in
the early stages of dementia. Mr. K replied to lottery, clairvoyant and
inheritance scams. He wanted to pay for improved accommodation
in a residential care home. He received 80 -120 scam letters and
20 scam phone calls a week. Mr. K has spent at least £30,000 on
scams in three years, although this is likely to be much higher. With
no savings, Mr. K survives on his state pension and benefits. He
has moments where he understands that he has been replying to
scams, but he quickly forgets.
Case study provided by the National Trading Standards Scams Team.