MICHAEL Lane, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, is backing a charity campaign to help protect older people from financial abuse

The commissioner has joined Action on Elder Abuse to urge older people and their families to learn how to spot the signs of financial abuse.

Data from the charity suggests that as many as 1,679 older people in the Hampshire Constabulary area could be experiencing financial abuse.

Typical financial crimes perpetrated against older people include fraud, forgery or embezzlement; the misuse of proxy decision making powers; ‘doorstep crime’ such as bogus tradesmen, and postal, phone or internet scams.

Mr Lane, said: “Any form of abuse is unacceptable and we must all do everything we can to help protect those who are most vulnerable. Financial abuse not only strips people of their money it also takes away their, trust and independence

“We are often vigilant for the signs of other types of abuse and as a result are seeing an increase in reporting. Elder abuse is still happening often unseen or unreported.

“It is therefore vital that we work together to raise awareness of the forms elder abuse can take and how to combat it.

“This is why I am backing the Action on Elder Abuse campaign.

“I would urge anyone who is either being abused themselves or suspects a loved one may be at risk to be vigilant and report it to the police.”

The commissioner and Action on Elder Abuse have said that older people can help keep themselves safe by:–

• Checking bank statements regularly and tracking receipts

• Reducing how much money can be taken from an account at any one time

• Having a copy of the bank statement sent to someone trustworthy to check

• Limiting the use of ‘chip and pin’ to control money

• Keeping important documents and valuables out of sight

• Never letting anyone into your home unless you can confirm their identity or they have made an appointment

• Only booking work on a house through ‘trusted trader’ schemes

• Treat anyone asking for your financial details unsolicited with suspicion and note that banks will never ask you for your account number or pin details.

In instances where an older person is not in a position to protect themselves from financial abuse (e.g. they have dementia), the charity advises that families and loved ones stay vigilant to spot the signs that abuse may be taking place. These include:

• Signatures on official documents that do not resemble the older person’s own

• Changes in banking habits (e.g. large sums of money being withdrawn)

• The inclusion of additional names on bank accounts

• Abrupt changes to, or the sudden establishment of, wills

• Sudden and unexplained transfers of assets to a family member or someone outside the family

• The unexplained disappearance of funds or possessions

• The deliberate isolation of an older person from friends and family, resulting in a carer having total control.

• The sudden introduction of a Power of Attorney document that places control with an unknown Third Party

The charity is urging anyone who has concerns that they, or someone close to them is being financially abused to call its confidential helpline – on 080 8808 8141 – which can offer support and advice and support on all aspects of elder abuse.