‘Only the Tip of the Iceberg’: Scams and older people Phil Mawhinney 10 November 2015

Research, policy Report – ‘ Only the Tip of the Iceberg’. I&A queries, real life cases. Workshops. Our work on scams

1.What scams? Targeting older people 2.Older people’s circumstances 3.Impacts on people’s lives 4.‘Flood defences’ 5.Conclusions

1. What scams? Pension and investment scams Pension freedoms – targeted re investment scams. x2 lost to scams April-Aug 2015 compared to same period (Portus, 2015) Doorstep scams 85% of victims were 65+ (NTS, 2014)

1. Older people as victims Vishing ‘Older consumers were disproportionately represented in the complaints we reviewed…. Most were over 65 and many were over 75.’ (FOS, 2015) Postal scams ‘The average age of victims is 74, showing that these criminals tend to prey on older – and often more vulnerable – members of society.’ (NTS, 2015)

1.What scams? Targeting older people 2.Older people’s circumstances 3.Impacts on people’s lives 4.‘Flood defences’ 5.Conclusions

2. Older people’s circumstances/risks Living alone, lonely, bereaved  >60% lived alone  4 in 10 were lonely  1 in 3 bereaved in past 2 years Mental and cognitive health  1 in 7 had a cognitive impairment Diversity  English not as first language Doorstep crime victims (National Trading Standards working group report, 2014)

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2. Growing risks? 1. Ageing population People 85+ to double in next 20 years 3. More older people online Risk among newly online with low confidence/skills. 2. Dementia 850,000 people – 1 million by Pensions reforms Since April 2015, access to cash pots

1.What scams? Targeting older people 2.Older people’s circumstances 3.Impacts on people’s lives 4.‘Flood defences’ 5.Conclusions

3. Financial impacts Any amount – relatively small – can have severe impacts.

3. Health and independence Real example: raised by client of a local Age UK Client’s neighbour lived alone and was the victim of a scam [doorstep] trader. As a consequence, she wouldn’t open the door to anyone, leaving her to struggle to look after herself. She had vascular dementia and needed help with washing, dressing, preparing food, etc. She deteriorated to such a degree that another neighbour became concerned, and called an ambulance. She spent 6 weeks in hospital and is now in a care home.’

1.What scams? Targeting older people 2.Older people’s circumstances 3.Impacts on people’s lives 4.‘Flood defences’ 5.Conclusions

4. ‘Flood defences’ Awareness raising Essential, we do it – but not sufficient Info not understood by people Not reaching the most isolated Scams are complex, hard to spot

4. ‘Flood defences’ Call blocking ‘One of the technologies used during the trial blocked over 95% of the nuisance calls’ (Angus Council, 2013) ‘Cold Calling Control Zones’ Residents support them. Increased neighbourly care and reporting.

Delayed payments Many people realise quickly they have been scammed: ‘You feel it in your gut – you feel uneasy within seconds.’ 4. Financial institutions Can banks delay payment by hours? – chance to cancel. 20% of customers alerted bank within 2 hours of fraud. 75% of customers did so within 24 hours. (FOS, 2015)

1.What scams? Targeting older people 2.Older people’s circumstances 3.Impacts on people’s lives 4.‘Flood defences’ 5.Conclusions

1.Older people are at particular risk Especially in vulnerable circumstances 3. Build flood defences Don’t just raise awareness 4. Leadership and co-ordination Scams task force 2. The problem will escalate Ageing population, pension freedoms…

Thank you Get in touch with questions or comments: Phil Mawhinney Policy Officer Age UK