At Athena Care Homes we do all we can to keep our residents and communities safe and have held scam awareness talks from local policing teams and Age Concern across our family of seven care homes.
We wanted to share some of what we have learnt, much of which is relevant to all of us, whatever our age. As the world becomes more connected, scams have become a growing concern, particularly for older adults. Scammers often target older people because they may be more trusting or unfamiliar with newer technologies.
Doorstep and online scams are among the most common schemes that con artists use. Here we share some practical advice on how we can protect ourselves from these types of fraud.
1. Understanding doorstep scams
Doorstep scams occur when fraudsters come directly to your home, often pretending to offer legitimate services or assistance. They may pose as salespeople, charity workers, or tradespeople. Common doorstep scams include:
• Bogus utility workers: Scammers may pose as gas, water, or electricity company employees, claiming they need to check your meter or do repairs. They use this as an opportunity to steal from you.
• Fake charity collectors: Fraudsters often knock on doors claiming to collect donations for a charity that may not even exist. They rely on the goodwill and generosity of older adults.
• Rogue traders: These are people who claim to be professionals offering services like roofing, gardening, or home repairs. They may charge inflated prices for poor-quality work, or they might take your money upfront and disappear without completing the job.
How to stay safe from doorstep scams:
• Don’t open the door to strangers: Always use a peephole or window to see who is at the door before opening. If you’re not expecting anyone, it’s perfectly okay not to open the door.
• Ask for ID: Always ask for identification from anyone claiming to represent a company or organisation. Genuine workers will carry ID, and you can call the company to confirm their identity.
• Don’t be pressured: Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to rush you into making decisions. Never feel pressured to agree to services or purchases on the spot. Take your time, and if necessary, talk to a family member or trusted friend before making any commitments.
• Display a “No Cold Callers” sign: This simple sign can deter many unwanted visitors. Most reputable traders will respect this, while scammers may ignore it, which can serve as an early warning.
• Check credentials: Before allowing any tradespeople to start work, verify their credentials. Look for reviews or recommendations from trusted sources, and get quotes in writing from multiple providers before agreeing to any work.
2. Understanding online scams
Online scams are increasingly common as more people use the internet for shopping, banking, and socialising. These scams often involve attempts to steal personal information, money, or both. Common online scams targeting older adults include:
• Phishing Emails: These emails appear to come from legitimate companies, like banks or online retailers, asking for personal information such as passwords or financial details. They often contain urgent messages, like “Your account has been compromised.”
• Tech support scams: Fraudsters call or email, claiming to be from a legitimate tech company (such as Microsoft) and say they’ve detected a problem on your computer. They offer to fix it but charge you for unnecessary services or install malware to steal your information.
• Fake online shopping sites: Scammers set up websites that appear legitimate but are designed to steal your money or personal information. You might pay for an item that never arrives, or the site could take your payment details and use them for fraudulent purposes.
How to Stay Safe from online scams:
• Be sceptical of unsolicited emails: If you receive an email that asks for personal or financial information, don’t click on any links. Instead, go directly to the website of the company or call them to verify the request.
• Use strong passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts, especially for banking and email. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them.
• Enable two-factor authentication: Many online services offer two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring not only a password but also a code sent to your phone.
• Only use secure websites: Before entering personal or payment information, ensure the website’s URL begins with “https” (the “s” stands for secure) and has a padlock icon in the address bar.
• Beware of unusual payment methods: Scammers may ask for payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate companies rarely ask for these types of payments, so avoid using them unless you are sure about the transaction.
Don’t be afraid to ask for support or help from a friend or loved one if you feel you are not up-to-speed with anything technological.
3. General tips for avoiding scams
• Don’t share personal information easily: Whether in person, over the phone, or online, avoid giving out personal details such as your bank account number, Social Security number, or credit card information unless you are sure the request is legitimate.
• Stay informed about scams: Scammers are constantly coming up with new tactics, so it’s important to stay informed about the latest threats. Sign up for scam alerts from trusted organisations like your local government or consumer protection agencies.
• Use call blockers and filters: For phone scams, consider installing a call-blocking device or app that can filter out known scam numbers. Many mobile phones also have built-in features to block unknown or suspicious callers.
• Keep software updated: Whether on your computer or phone, make sure that your software is up to date. Security updates often protect against vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit.
• Talk to someone you trust: If something doesn’t seem right, talk to a family member or friend before taking action. Scammers often rely on isolation and secrecy to succeed, so reaching out to others can help you avoid falling victim.
4. What to do If you’ve been scammed
If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a scam, it’s important to act quickly:
• Report the scam: Contact your local authorities or consumer protection agencies.
• Contact your bank: If you’ve given out financial information or sent money to a scammer, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to freeze your accounts and dispute any fraudulent transactions.
• Change your passwords: If you’ve provided login information for any online accounts, change your passwords as soon as possible and enable two-factor authentication for added security.
• Seek support: Falling victim to a scam can be emotionally distressing. Talk to someone you trust about what happened, and remember that you’re not alone—millions of people are targeted by scams each year.
Awareness and caution are your best defences against scams. Whether it’s an unexpected knock at your door or a suspicious email in your inbox, being mindful of common tactics used by scammers can protect you from fraud.
Remember, it’s okay to say “no” to strangers or to take your time to verify offers and requests. Stay alert, stay informed, and stay safe.
You can get more information and advice from Citizens Advice, Age UK, Victim Support or Gov.uk. You can also try your local council website.-
Scams Awareness Campaign – Citizens Advice
