One in four over-70s has fallen victim to a fraud or theft in the past year

A SHOCKING number of over-70s have been victims of fraud and theft as Covid isolation creates a criminal “adventure playground”.

One in four have been victims and more than half have been targeted by rogue traders, professional fraudsters and even family members.

Older people isolating at home are being preyed on by doorstep gangs pretending to be police or bank staff to trick them out of their cards and cash.

Other incidents include carers, relatives or neighbours adding items for themselves when shopping for an elderly person.

More complex scams include tricking people into changing their will or selling their home.

GuardianCard’s In Safe Hands campaign found two-thirds of financial abuse involved professional scammers, causing victims to suffer ill health, loss of confidence and self-esteem and feel shame.

Vulnerable

TV presenter Jennie Bond, who is backing the campaign, said Covid had made the elderly a prime target.

She added: “It has created a perfect storm as they have become even more socially isolated and vulnerable.”

Some are also scammed by people who have money troubles of their own caused by the pandemic.

Nick Thompson of GuardianCard, which allows trusted relatives to spend money safely for older people, said scammers often targeted those with cognitive illnesses such as dementia.

One in six people aged 50 to 70 said they were forced to step in to help parents.

Mr Thompson said doorstep scams were particularly serious because the elderly and vulnerable feel more pressured to agree things in person.

TSB bank research shows fraudsters consistently used Covid as a hook to create panic among victims.

One trick is to pose as a bank’s fraud department, claiming the

victim’s account is “under attack” and funds must be transferred – TSB refunded £2,850 to one customer phoned out of the blue.

Fraudsters also advertise so-called Covid tests, masks and hand gel on social media.

TSB has pledged to refund victims but many banks do not. TSB’s head of fraud, Ashley Hart, said: “Banks and other businesses need to step

up efforts to protect their customers and help catch the criminals.”

People with mental health problems are three times more likely to have been an online victim and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau says reports of web scams have risen 50 per cent in the past year.

Detective Inspector Steve Jackson from the bureau said: “The pandemic has created a digital adventure

playground for serious organised crime groups.”

Financial crime prevention expert Debbie Barton from insurer Quilter urged the Government to include scams in its Online Safety Bill.

She said: “We are in the absurd situation where there is no legally enforceable way of obliging search engines and social media platforms to remove ads for financial scams.”

or