A “crisis of loneliness” is leading to the financial abuse of the elderly, according to a Fife-based charity.
Action on Elder Abuse Scotland believes some vulnerable pensioners are being targeted because they simply have no one else to talk to.
There have even been cases where elderly people have refused to condemn people who have stolen cash from them because they still want to believe they have found a friend.
In an attempt to tackle the growing problem it is now to launch a pilot peer-support project in Fife.
Charity director Lesley Carcary said: “An older person may have no one else to speak to so will quite easily engage with someone who may in fact be trying to exploit them.
“So loneliness is a big issue in terms of reasons why older people may be targets.
“They build relationships with people who might be trying to scam or exploit them.
“We are fighting what appears to be a crisis of loneliness.”
The charity has secured funds from the Robertson Trust for the pilot, which it is hoped could be launched later this year.
It will provide a trained volunteer for pensioners who have been victims of abuse to help rebuild their confidence and independence.
Ms Carcary said: “The intention is that they recover from the experience and move on.”
This could involve encouraging them to go to the cinema or sign up to a group.
“Basically, we want to give them confidence they can do things on their own,” Mrs Carcary continued.
“If that person becomes physically and mentally strong through the support we have given them then they are less likely to experience abuse again.”
The charity receives around 25,000 calls a year across the UK, but believes that figure is “just the tip of the iceberg” as many victims don’t want to report it.
“We still hear of cases where someone may have thousands of pounds stolen from them but still don’t blame the person who did it because they think that person is their friend.
“There’s also the embarrassment involved if it’s a family member who is stealing from or abusing them — it may be their grandchild and they don’t want to report them,” she said.
During a meeting with the director, local MP Douglas Chapman said his eyes had been opened to the abuse which can happen to older people in the community, “whether it was physical, psychological or financial.”
- For confidential advice or support for anyone concerned about elder abuse contact the Elder Abuse Helpline (Scotland): Freephone 080 8808 8141.
It is about stealing the trust of people” — Case study
It is not only isolated people, with few family or friends, who can fall prey to the scammers, as one Scots family found out.
Lynn Harrison exposed the carer who swindled more than £40,000 from her dying aunt.
Margo Alongi befriended cerebral palsy sufferer Betty Lynch, who was capable of making her own decisions, claiming she was her best friend and that she loved her.
She honed in on the elderly woman’s desire for visitors, often visiting her outwith her duties and taking her to the bingo, as she wormed her way in.
With Alongi eventually handed a two year sentence for this and a similar crime last year, Lynn explained what had happened to her aunt, who was at the heart of a loving family.
It was only days before Betty’s death that Lynn, as executor of her aunt’s will, uncovered the massive fraud.
There were scores of cash machine withdrawals, even on Christmas Day, a day Betty spent with Lynn.
There was even a withdrawal of £300 as Betty lay dying.
“That was despicable,” said Lynn.
The family decided to keep Alongi’s betrayal from Betty, who passed away never knowing her deceit.
As a mark of respect to Betty, the family didn’t report the crime to the Police until after her funeral, which Alongi attended.
And that was to prove shocking in itself.
“She actually said to my mum, don’t you worry Jessie, I’ll take you to the bingo now.
“That was how it started with Betty too.”
Lynn likens the crime to grooming.
“It is about stealing the trust of people.
“My aunt was a wonderful person, she was well loved.”
Lynn said this type of abuse is much more common than people realise and hopes that by raising awareness she can help in some way.
“There can be situations where people are lonely and are targeted for that.
“But they do not have to be lonely.
“People can be very manipulative and get in there.”
Lynn said her mum was “devastated” by what had happened.
But at the age of 86 she took to the witness stand for more than an hour to get justice for her late sister
“My mum never really warmed to Alongi, and suspected she was ‘too good to be true’.”
