Source: Friends Against Scams
Scams affect the lives of millions of people across the UK. People who are scammed often experience shame and social isolation as a result. National Trading Standards Scams Team evidence shows that the average age of a scam victim is 75.
It has long been suspected that victims of scams, specifically the elderly and consumers made vulnerable by their circumstances, experience deteriorating health, independence and loss of self-confidence. These issues can give rise to additional financial costs on the health and social care sector, which could be prevented through earlier intervention and protection.
Friends Against Scams is an initiative that aims to protect and prevent people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’. Adult Social Care providers are being encouraged to undertake a short online training course to help them understand scams, talk about scams and cascade messages about scams prevention and protection.