New scams advice service

We’ve launched a new scams prevention and support service for older people in Bristol.

The programme, funded by Lloyds Banking Group, will help to prevent older people from falling for scams by increasing their knowledge and confidence to recognise and deal with attempted scams. It will also provide support to older fraud victims recovering after an incident.

Older people can be particularly vulnerable to fraud and scams, which can have a serious emotional and financial impact, and can damage quality of life and wellbeing for many.

Sophisticated scams have been on the rise during the pandemic with criminals devising even more ways to target those they believe to be vulnerable. This means it’s even more vital to support those that may be at greater risk. 

Ben Sansum, Information and Advice Manager at Age UK Bristol said: “We’re really pleased to be launching the Age UK Scams Prevention and Support Programme in Bristol. Scams can have a devastating effect on older victims - in England and Wales an older person becomes a victim of fraud every 40 seconds, which is over 800,000 older people every year^[i]. This shows us just how important this programme is to try and keep the older people in Bristol as safe as possible when it comes to financial crime.”

To find out more about Age UK Bristol’s Scams Advice Service, please visit the webpage, email contact scamsadvice@ageukbristol.org.uk or ring the Information and Advice answerphone 0117 922 5353.

[i] https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/articles/2019/july/older-person-becomes-fraud-victim-every-40-seconds/