Carers' guide to being scam aware
Updated: Sep 9
Most of us like to think we'd spot a scam a mile off. But scammers are getting cleverer, and they're experts at picking their moment, when we're tired, distracted, or juggling ten things at once, which is a pretty accurate description of caring life.
Unfortunately, scams are part of life and there are many which we might fall victim to. On a good day, we're all capable of spotting one. But what about our bad days? There is no shame in falling for a scam. They prey on people having a weak moment.
The main scam types which carers are likely to come across, either directly or targeted towards the person we care for are:
Phone and text scams – callers pretending to be from the bank, HMRC, or a delivery company, asking us to confirm details or click a link.
Doorstep scams – someone posing as a tradesperson, council worker, or charity collector to get into the home or take a payment upfront.
Online shopping and marketplace scams – fake listings or websites that take payment but never deliver the item.
Romance scams – someone building a relationship online, often over weeks or months, before asking for money.
Investment and pension scams – promises of unusually high returns, often with pressure to act quickly.
Impersonation scams – someone claiming to be a family member in trouble, or an official from the police, bank, or government department.
Prize and lottery scams – a message saying we've won something, but we need to pay a fee or provide bank details first.
Cuckooing - This is when criminals take over someone's home, usually as a base for dealing drugs, though it can also involve storing weapons or other criminal activity. The name comes from cuckoo birds, who take over another bird's nest and use it as their own. Cuckooing affects an estimated 10,000+ vulnerable adults across the UK annually. This is because criminals choose people who are easier to isolate, and someone with care and support needs can unfortunately fit that description. Click here to read our guide to cuckooing.
We know these topics can be alarming or overwhelming so here are six easy steps we can take to be more scam savvy and protect ourselves and the person we care for,
1. Watch and share this video
Natwest has created a really useful short video on being "scam aware".
2. Familiarise ourselves with what help is available
TakeFive is a national campaign offering straight-forward, impartial advice to help prevent email, telephone, and online fraud, particularly how to spot criminals who impersonate trusted organisations. They have lots of materials around staying protected, including their Take Five Toolkit.
Friends Against Scams runs a free interactive scams training online activity, which helps us spot the signs of scams.
3. Set up a redirect mail
If the person we're caring for is vulnerable and doesn't live with us, then we might want to consider arranging a mail redirect. This means we can choose who will receive the mail.
With their consent, we can sign up to the Royal Mail’s paid-for redirection service to have their post delivered to ourselves, or another trusted friend or relative. Apply online at a Post Office branch.
4. Reduce unwanted phone calls
Blocking all unwanted calls and scam calls is very tricky. But there are things we can do to reduce the quantity.
Do not consent to your phone number being shared with partner organisations (when a company is collecting your data). Often this is a small tick box to opt in or out. Be careful, as the wording can be rather vague. If in doubt, ask a trusted friend to read and confirm what you're agreeing to.
We can also sign up for the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) – The TPS won't unfortunately stop all scam calls, but it will reduce the amount of unwanted sales and marketing calls received. This is a free service, and we can sign up here or call 0345 070 0707.
5. Display a 'no cold calling' sign on our front door
Stickers are usually available from our councils, or this link takes you to a printable version.
6. Stay safe online
Many scams are via our computers, and presently we're hearing a lot about vaccine scams. This Digital Skills for Carers guide, gives further simple tips on staying safe online. Including simple ways to:
What to do if you think you've been scammed
1. Report it
If you have made a payment or set one up, contact your bank immediately. They may be able to recover some of your money and in some circumstances will refund you.
In England and Wales:
For an online/ cyber scam, you can report it online to Report Fraud, or over the phone tel: 0300 123 2040
For other scams, you can report to the Citizens Advice Bureau or call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for a Welsh-speaking advisor.
In Scotland:
You can report to the Police on 1010 or Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via their website.
Alternatively contact Scotland's Citizens Advice Helpline on 0800 028 1456.
In Northern Ireland:
For an online/ cyber scam, you can report it online to Report Fraud, or over the phone tel: 0300 123 2040
Alternatively, you can contact Consumerline via their website or call them on 0300 123 6262.
2. Seek emotional support
Realising we have been scammed can have a really negative effect on our emotional wellbeing. Scammed people report feelings of shame and that they don't want other people to know. It's really important to know that anyone can get scammed. Anyone. There is no shame in it.
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