Pensioner targeted – by 101 separate scams
A DEMENTIA sufferer was conned out of her £10,000 life savings after being targeted by 101 separate scams.
Mary Khamis, who was diagnosed with dementia in 2016, was victim to scams which included people claiming to be charities, running prize draws, selling medication, and bogus roofers.
Her records list 101 different companies and organisations she had been sending money to – though it is thought to be much higher – and one scam saw her place an order worth £1,000 for “duff” medication.
Her daughter Thea Khamis, of Stanley, County Durham, became suspicious when she suggested to her mum she use her savings to get a new boiler but Mary kept making excuses. It was then she discovered her mum’s bank account, which had had more than £10,000 in it, was empty.
In the last five years of Mary’s life, Thea tried to put systems in place to remind her the scammers were only out to get her money.
She left a script next to the phone so her mother would tell callers she would not commit to paying for anything without speaking to her children.
Call blockers were also installed, Mary was signed up to the Telephone
Preference Service and scam mail was returned.
However, as Mary’s details had been shared by scammers, she continued to be contacted.
While there are genuine services which can block calls she was even contacted by scammers purporting to offer the same.
As Mary’s dementia developed, she became less able to cope with money unaided.
Thea tried to stop direct debits going out to scam charities and used power of attorney and thirdparty authority to give her control over her mum’s finances.
Mary’s son also held her debit card so she could no longer give out the number on the phone.
Thea said: “My mum was a very intelligent lady – a member of Mensa even – but it was her kindheartedness and generosity which meant she would offer to help anyone, especially those she saw as less fortunate than herself.
“Unfortunately, this extended to criminals orchestrating the scams that she fell victim to.
“It was very hard to convince her not to be scammed, especially when she was developing Alzheimer’s.”
She added: “I hope my mum’s story will make people aware of the numerous kinds of scam and how scammers operate and I would encourage anyone with elderly or vulnerable relatives to speak to them about the risks.
“I would also say to people who suspect they are being scammed – please speak up – there is no need to feel embarrassed.”
Thea has told her family’s story to increase awareness of scams and the financial losses they can cause as part of a national campaign backed by Durham County Council.
Scams Awareness Fortnight 2020, which started yesterday, aims to create a network of confident, alert consumers who know what to do when they spot a scam.
Organised by Citizens Advice and running until June 28, the annual campaign is this year focusing on raising awareness of the scams which have emerged as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Joanne Waller, the council’s head of community protection, said: “It is truly awful unscrupulous scammers seek to exploit kind and trusting, and in some cases vulnerable, people like Mary for financial gain.
“Scams Awareness Fortnight is very timely as we know some people are more vulnerable at the moment for various reasons as a result of the pandemic and therefore more likely to fall victim.
“Scammers out there know this and are trying to take advantage.”
She added: “We encourage anyone who suspects they, or someone they know is being scammed to report it.”