On Friday 30th November 2018, Paul Murray Investments, Woodlands Care Planning & Partners put on a community event focusing on how to protect your loved ones from phishing, conmen and scams for Portsmouth. Financial Scamming has become a huge epidemic that can quickly ruin lives not only financially but also emotionally. Research from the National Centre of Social Work has found that one of the key targets that criminals go after are those who are elderly and are more vulnerable.
We would like to thank all the companies & charities that contributed to the cause. From this one day event, businesses and the local community can now share their knowledge on ways to prevent scams and how to notice a potential threat for their colleagues, family and friends.
Stephen Morgan MP said:
“The elderly and socially isolated are vulnerable to financial, emotional and psychological harm from criminals who target them with the full range of scamming. The average age of a victim is 63, and men and women are equally susceptible to being targeted.
“More than a million older people say they go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member, and evidence suggests that this can make people more vulnerable to financial scammers.
“There is already some great work going on to support those who may be at risk. Age UK, and Age UK Portsmouth where I’ve been a trustee, along with their other campaigns to support those who feel socially isolated, have an initiative for example for volunteers to become digital champions to offer this very support.
“Hampshire Constabulary have developed a banking protocol which encourages staff working in branches to recognise the signs of a potential scam. This has stopped more than £130,000 being handed over to potential scammers last month alone.
“However, to tackle this issue we all need to be willing to step in and make a difference.
“We all have a responsibility towards tackling social isolation.”