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Elderly warned over pressure-selling by rogue firms | Elderly warned over pressure-selling by rogue firms |
(4 days later) | |
Older people and carers have been told to beware of scam retail or investment operations targeting the elderly. | Older people and carers have been told to beware of scam retail or investment operations targeting the elderly. |
The Insolvency Service said that in the three years to March it closed 78 rogue firms in England and Wales, which had scammed £28m from nearly 2,000 victims. | The Insolvency Service said that in the three years to March it closed 78 rogue firms in England and Wales, which had scammed £28m from nearly 2,000 victims. |
Firms had aggressively cold-called or door-stepped older people and then overcharged them or failed to deliver. | Firms had aggressively cold-called or door-stepped older people and then overcharged them or failed to deliver. |
Scammers targeted "the most susceptible members of society", most of whom never made good their loss, a spokesman said. | Scammers targeted "the most susceptible members of society", most of whom never made good their loss, a spokesman said. |
"The worst aspect is the callousness with which the fraudsters go about their business; ignoring the obvious fact that that because of their age, most victims will never be able to make good their loss," head of investigation and enforcement Robert Burns said. | "The worst aspect is the callousness with which the fraudsters go about their business; ignoring the obvious fact that that because of their age, most victims will never be able to make good their loss," head of investigation and enforcement Robert Burns said. |
"If you are cold-called, don't be afraid to say 'no thank you'. If in doubt, you should take time to research the company and get some independent advice." | "If you are cold-called, don't be afraid to say 'no thank you'. If in doubt, you should take time to research the company and get some independent advice." |
The Insolvency Service is a statutory body that deals with financial failure and misconduct associated with it. | The Insolvency Service is a statutory body that deals with financial failure and misconduct associated with it. |
It said 49 of the 78 rogue companies sold land for "building" that either did not exist or was on protected land. | It said 49 of the 78 rogue companies sold land for "building" that either did not exist or was on protected land. |
Others ripped off their victims over fine wines, fire alarms or worthless plots of land. All targeted older people, pressure-selling over the phone or with a foot in the door. | Others ripped off their victims over fine wines, fire alarms or worthless plots of land. All targeted older people, pressure-selling over the phone or with a foot in the door. |
One pensioner lost tens of thousands of pounds from being tricked into parting with historic gold coins, the service said. | One pensioner lost tens of thousands of pounds from being tricked into parting with historic gold coins, the service said. |
The Insolvency Service said many more scams have not been stopped and warned people to be on their guard and to ask for help. | The Insolvency Service said many more scams have not been stopped and warned people to be on their guard and to ask for help. |
It said often the same rogues would move on and set up multiple operations, seeking out vulnerable members of the public. | It said often the same rogues would move on and set up multiple operations, seeking out vulnerable members of the public. |
'Too good to be true' | 'Too good to be true' |
Business Minister Norman Lamb said the scammers exploited older people's trust and urged people to be vigilant "when approached to make investments out of the blue". | Business Minister Norman Lamb said the scammers exploited older people's trust and urged people to be vigilant "when approached to make investments out of the blue". |
Michelle Mitchell, from Age UK, said that "the sad fact is that if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is". | Michelle Mitchell, from Age UK, said that "the sad fact is that if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is". |
"If you feel under pressure to commit, then just step away because any reputable company will allow you time to think an offer over." | "If you feel under pressure to commit, then just step away because any reputable company will allow you time to think an offer over." |
She said Age UK had produced two guides to advise older people on how to protect themselves from scams. | She said Age UK had produced two guides to advise older people on how to protect themselves from scams. |
The Alzheimers Society said that it was campaigning against the financial abuse of dementia sufferers who it said could already be "struggling financially due to the huge cost of care". | The Alzheimers Society said that it was campaigning against the financial abuse of dementia sufferers who it said could already be "struggling financially due to the huge cost of care". |
"Everyone from banks to the general public needs to work together to stop these scams and help protect those who need it most," chief executive Jeremy Hughes said. | "Everyone from banks to the general public needs to work together to stop these scams and help protect those who need it most," chief executive Jeremy Hughes said. |
The warnings come on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. | The warnings come on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. |
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