ALZHEIMER’S Society is offering advice for spotting a scam or signing up for services they don’t need after the elderly, including people with dementia, were targeted by ‘predatory’ marketing calls.
While anyone can fall for a scam or nuisance callers, people living with dementia can be more at risk because they can find managing money and assessing risk harder.
Alzheimer’s Society has four tips for avoiding financial scams and pushy marketing calls:
1. Protect yourself on the phone
• If you receive a letter, email, text or phone call you’re unsure about, which seems too good to be true, or needs urgent action, ask someone you trust for a second opinion. A real bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue asking for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Check your bank or utility provider’s website or call them to see how they will and won’t communicate with you, or to confirm whether they have contacted you. Don’t feel pressured to act straight away. Take your time and seek advice if you receive a call asking you to do something you’re not sure about. Don’t be afraid to hang up if you are unsure. You can always ring them back via the number displayed on their website or on any official letters. Unwanted sales and marketing calls can be stopped for free by signing up to the Telephone Preference Service. Most junk mail can also be stopped by opting out at the Mailing Preference…
