Elderly people are FIVE times more likely to be hit by fraud than be burgled
CUTS in trading standards bud gets are leaving millions of pensioners at a greater risk of being conned, a report warns today. Funding has been slashed in half since 2010, with some areas suffering 60 per cent cuts, according to Age UK.
Figures show people are now five times more likely to be targeted by a fraudster than a burglar, with 3.2 million cases of fraud in the year to September 2017.
A shocking 43 per cent of older people - almost five million over-65s - believe they have been targeted by scammers.
Campaigners say those older people who live alone or suffer from dementia are at the greatest risk of being targeted.
The figures coincide with a 56 per cent reduction in trading standards officers over the past seven years.
Essex Trading Standards has seen its budget hacked by 66 per cent, from £3.3million in 2010-11 to £1.1million this year.
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How ever tough our laws are to prevent and combat fraud, they are pretty toothless if the staff just aren't there to enforce them.
Staffing levels are down from 54 full -time equivalent workers to 23.
Common offline swindles affecting the elderly include postal scams, pensions and investment fraud and phone scams.
Online fraud includes rogue emails and online dating rackets.
Pension theft victims lost £8.6million in March last year, a record monthly high.
Shame Being scammed seriously affects people's quality of life and wellbeing, according to the report, Applying The Brakes.
Woman calls out scam caller in the BEST way
Many people experience shame, embarrassment, social isolation, depression and a decline in physical health, it found.
Some pensioners lose their life savings, while those defrauded in their own homes are more likely either to die or go into residential care within a year.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "How ever tough our laws are to prevent and combat fraud, they are pretty toothless if the staff just aren't there to enforce them."
Government funding cuts means "fraudsters have far more freedom to operate", she added.
As well as extra money for trad ing standards and police officers, Age UK is also calling on banks to take action to prevent scams.
It wants them to radically improve security systems to better identify customers at risk and suspicious transactions.
And it said they should better protect the vulnerable - such as those with dementia - and bear a greater level of liability for customer losses.
The Daily Express Respect For The Elderly crusade has consistently urged greater investment in social care.
FEELING AT RISK?
Age UK offers information and advice including its free guides Avoiding Scams, Staying Safe and Internet Security. Visit ageuk.org.uk/avoidscams or contact Age UK Advice on Freephone 0800 169 65 65. Tips include how to spot doorstep rogues.
ALREADY A VICTIM?
Online help is available, again from ageuk.org.uk on its "support for scam victims" page. Tips include contacting your bank immediately to have cards stopped. There are also links to support if you feel traumatised by what has happened.
REPORTING SCAMS?
Call Action Fraud, the UK's National Fraud and Cyber Crime reporting centre on 0300 123 204. Or if you or anyone else is in immediate danger dial 999.
