Scams targeting older people: common types, how to protect a parent

The scams most often aimed at older people are bank and police impersonation calls, fake texts about benefits, parcels or tax, rogue doorstep traders, romance and investment fraud, and computer “support” calls. The best protection is one simple family rule: never act on an unexpected call, message or knock, hang up, and call back on a number you already trust. If money has gone, call the bank on 159 straight away, then report to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland on 101.

In short

• Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025. Report online at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
• Calling 159 connects you safely to the fraud team of most major UK banks, so you never need a number given by the caller.
• Forward scam texts free to 7726 and scam emails to [email protected].
• Most contracts agreed at the door can be cancelled within 14 days. If the trader gave no written cancellation notice, that period runs on for up to 12 months more.
• Banks must usually refund victims of authorised push payment scams sent by Faster Payments or CHAPS, up to £85,000, if claimed within 13 months, with extra protection for vulnerable customers.
• If an attorney or deputy is misusing a parent’s money, report it to the Office of the Public Guardian on 0300 456 0300.

Why fraudsters target older people

Older people are not more gullible. They are targeted because the conditions suit the fraudster. Many still answer a landline during the day, live alone, have savings or a paid-off home, and were brought up to be polite to callers and visitors. Bereavement, loneliness, hearing loss and early memory problems all make it harder to pause and check. Someone in the early stages of dementia may lose track of a conversation, forget they have already paid, or not recognise that a story keeps changing.

Fraudsters also share “suckers lists” of people who have responded before, so one successful scam often leads to many more. That is why a single suspicious letter or call is worth talking about as a family, not just ignoring. If you live far away, our guide to long-distance caregiving covers how to keep an eye on post, bank statements and visitors without taking over.

The most common scams and their warning signs

Almost every scam uses the same three levers: urgency (“act now”), authority (“this is your bank, the police, HMRC”) and secrecy (“do not tell the staff in the branch”). Teaching a parent to notice those three feelings is more useful than memorising every type.

What genuine organisations will not do

• Your bank or the police will never ask you to move money to a “safe account”, withdraw cash for them, or hand your card to a courier.
• HMRC will not text or email about a tax rebate or penalty, or ask for payment details that way.
• The Winter Fuel Payment is paid automatically to most people who qualify. A message asking a parent to “apply” through a link is a red flag. Our winter payments guide explains who really needs to claim.
• No real company needs remote access to a computer because of an unexpected call.

How to protect a parent: practical steps

1. Agree the call-back rule. Any unexpected call about money ends with “I’ll call you back”. Your parent then rings a number from their bank card or a statement, ideally from a different phone, as fraudsters can keep a landline open.
2. Put the key numbers by the phone. A card with 159, the bank, your mobile and a trusted neighbour stops them using the number a caller offers.
3. Cut the volume of calls and post. Register free with the Telephone Preference Service, ask the phone provider about call blocking, and consider a call-blocking handset that only lets known numbers ring through.
4. Set up a family code word. Anyone claiming to be a grandchild in trouble must know it.
5. Tighten the bank account. With your parent’s agreement, ask the bank about lower daily transfer limits, payment alerts by text, and adding you as a trusted contact.
6. Make the front door harder to work. A door chain, a “no cold callers” sign and a rule never to let in unexpected visitors help. If carers use a key safe, change the code regularly; see our guide to key safes and personal alarms.
7. Keep talking. People who have been scammed often feel ashamed and hide it. Make clear that you will never be cross, only want to help.

If memory or capacity is changing

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) for property and financial affairs lets a trusted person deal with banks and stop suspicious payments, and it can be used while your parent still has capacity if they agree. It must be made while they can still understand it, so do not wait. Our guides on how to get power of attorney and LPA or deputyship explain the options. If capacity has already gone and there is no LPA, the route is a deputyship order from the Court of Protection. Whether a person can manage a particular decision is decision-specific, which is what a mental capacity assessment looks at.

What to do if your parent has been scammed

1. Call the bank immediately on 159 or the number on the card. Speed matters: banks can sometimes stop or recall a payment.
2. Call 999 if it is happening now, for example a courier is on the way or a trader is at the door pressing for payment.
3. Report it. Use Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (0300 123 2040) or Police Scotland on 101. You will get a crime reference number, which helps with the bank.
4. Report the message. Forward texts to 7726 and emails to [email protected].
5. For doorstep traders, contact Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 (Welsh language 0808 223 1144). In Scotland call Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000, and in Northern Ireland Consumerline on 0300 123 6262. Cancel the contract in writing within 14 days.
6. Secure everything. Change passwords, and if remote-access software was installed, have the device checked.
7. Watch for “recovery” scams. Victims are often contacted by people offering to get the money back for a fee. That is a second scam.

Getting the money back

If your parent was tricked into sending a bank transfer, the sending bank must usually reimburse them under the authorised push payment rules for Faster Payments and CHAPS transfers, and most refunds should arrive within five working days. The maximum claim is £85,000, and the claim should be made within 13 months of the payment. Banks may deduct an excess of up to £100, but not from vulnerable customers. Extra protections apply to vulnerable customers, which can include people with dementia or who were recently bereaved, so tell the bank about any health condition. If the bank refuses, complain to the bank first and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Card payments are handled differently, so ask about a chargeback.

When the scammer is someone they know

Financial abuse by a relative, neighbour, new partner or paid carer is less visible than a phone scam and often goes on longer. Warning signs include cash withdrawals your parent cannot explain, unpaid bills despite a good income, missing valuables, sudden changes to a will, and someone new who discourages visits. Our guide to signs of neglect by a carer covers the wider picture.

Under the Care Act 2014, councils must make safeguarding enquiries when an adult with care and support needs is at risk of abuse, including financial abuse. Contact adult social care at your parent’s council and say you are raising a safeguarding concern; our guide to your rights under the Care Act explains what happens next. If an attorney or deputy is misusing money, report it to the Office of the Public Guardian, who will not tell the attorney who made the report. A parent who is neglecting their post, bills or home may also need the help described in raising a self-neglect concern.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Scotland: Report Fraud does not cover Scotland. Report fraud to Police Scotland on 101 and consumer problems to Advice Direct Scotland. Concerns about a power of attorney go to the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland).
• Wales: Reporting works as in England. Councils make safeguarding enquiries under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.
• Northern Ireland: Report Fraud covers Northern Ireland, and the PSNI can be reached on 101. Consumerline handles doorstep trading complaints, and concerns about an attorney go to the Office of Care and Protection.

Frequently asked questions

What is the number to report a scam in the UK?

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report fraud to Report Fraud online at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. If money has left a bank account, call the bank first on 159, and call 999 if a crime is happening right now.

What does calling 159 do?

159 is a free short number that connects you to the fraud team at most major UK banks. Because you dial it yourself, you know you are talking to your real bank rather than someone who has called you pretending to be from it. Use it whenever a call about money feels wrong, or as soon as you think money has been taken.

Can my elderly parent get their money back after a bank transfer scam?

Often, yes. Banks must usually reimburse victims of authorised push payment scams made by Faster Payments or CHAPS, and most refunds should come within five working days. Claim within 13 months of the payment; the maximum refund is £85,000. There are extra protections for vulnerable customers, such as people with dementia. If the bank refuses, complain to the bank and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

How do I stop scam calls to my elderly parent?

Register their landline free with the Telephone Preference Service, ask the phone provider about call blocking, and consider a call-blocking handset that only lets approved numbers ring. Agree a rule that any unexpected call about money ends with “I will call you back”, using a number from the bank card. Forward scam texts free to 7726.

Can you cancel work agreed with a doorstep trader?

Usually yes. Most contracts agreed in the home give you 14 days to cancel. If the trader did not give written cancellation information, the period can run for up to 12 months longer. Cancel in writing and contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 so Trading Standards can be told about the trader.

What should I do if I think a relative is stealing from my parent?

Raise a safeguarding concern with adult social care at your parent’s council. Councils must make enquiries under the Care Act 2014 when an adult with care needs is at risk of financial abuse. If the person is an attorney or deputy, report them to the Office of the Public Guardian on 0300 456 0300. Call the police if a crime has happened.

Sources

• Report Fraud (police)
• City of London Police: Report Fraud service goes live
• Stop! Think Fraud (GOV.UK): reporting fraud
• GOV.UK: Report suspicious emails, websites and texts
• GOV.UK: Consumer protection rights
• legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 31
• GOV.UK: Report a concern about an attorney, deputy or guardian
• Payment Systems Regulator: APP fraud reimbursement protections
• legislation.gov.uk: Care Act 2014, section 42 (safeguarding enquiries)

General information, not legal or financial advice. Figures for 2026/27, checked October 2026.

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 29 October 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.