Financial or material abuse includes:
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theft
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fraud
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internet scamming
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coercion in relation to an adult's financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions
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the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
Potential indicators of financial or material abuse
It is important not to jump to the wrong conclusions too quickly but the following is a list of possible indicators of financial abuse:
- sudden inability to pay bills
- sudden withdrawal of money from an account
- person lacks belongings that they can clearly afford
- lack of receptivity by the person’s relatives to necessary expenditure
- power of attorney obtained when the person is unable to understand what they are signing
- extraordinary interest by family members in the vulnerable person’s assets
- recent change of deeds of the house or property
- the main interest of the carer is financial with little regard for the health and welfare of the vulnerable adult
- the person managing the vulnerable adults’ finances is evasive and unco-operative
- reluctance to accept care services
- purchase of items that individual does not require or use
- personal items going missing
- and/or unreasonable or inappropriate gifts.
Protect yourself from scams
Scams are schemes to cheat people out of their money. They come in a variety of ways; by post, phone, email, online and sometimes by a knock on the door.
For further information please read
National Trading Standards Take a Stand Against Scams (pdf 330kb opens in a new window)
additional information can also be accessed at
www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk
National Trading Standards Scams Team - Call Blockers for people with dementia
Financial Abuse Helpline
Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline
For advice on scams contact
Tel: 03454 040506
Action Fraud
To download the latest resources
To report scams contact
Tel: 0300 1230 2040
Website: www.actionfraud.police.uk/ (external website opens in a new window)
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