More than £15 million a year is being scammed from Angus residents, a thinktank has heard.
Authorities gathered in Arbroath for high-level talks about stopping the leak of money to criminal gangs.
The Financial Harm Seminar featured representatives from police, social work, trading standards, NHS and partners in the public and private sector.
Angus Council social work and health convener Glennis Middleton said: “Financial harm is a big problem and can have a devastating impact on its victims.
“Here in Angus we have had four people lose a six-figure sum their entire life savings to scammers.
“I welcome the opportunity today offers to encourage people to speak up if they’ve been targeted even if they have not fallen victim to one of these scams.
“Evidence shows us that one of the most effective weapons we have to tackle the problem is to get people to talk about it and to encourage people to report scams.
“There are a number of ways in which we may be able to help.
“For example particularly vulnerable adults suffering from nuisance phone calls can be equipped with call blocking equipment some devices can block nearly all scam or nuisance phone calls.
“People can be reluctant to report scams as they feel a little foolish about being conned but I urge everyone to report a scam or a suspected scam to the police or the trading standards service.
“Any of us can be taken in by a determined fraudster all it takes is a moment’s lack of concentration.”
The seminar also discussed how agencies, public and the community representatives can collaborate and engage to tackle these issues together and investigate cases of people being financially harmed or scammed.
Police Scotland Chief Inspector Gordon Milne said: “We are always looking to build on our successful partnership with local authority colleagues and this seminar will help us work even smarter than we have been.
“It is a credit to Angus that we have achieved so much and yet are not willing to be complacent. It’s a huge adult protection issue which we must keep moving forward on.”