West Yorkshire Financial Exploitation and Abuse Team

What Are the Typical Signs of Financial Abuse?

 

 

 

People who have a lack of family and / or community support; those with an inability to access financial services; frailty associated with the ageing process and people experiencing a condition which affects their thought processes (cognitive function) such as dementia, learning disability, emotional distress and mental health problems as well as brain injury may be at increased risk of responding to a scam / fraud secondary to difficulties with communication, a reduced ability to concentrate and / or confusion. Increased challenge with cognitive function can make it difficult for people to understand risk and apply caution to decision making.

Typical Indicators of Financial Abuse 

  • Financial hardship / unexplained shortage of money despite adequate income e.g. you may notice a lack of food or day to day necessities in the cupboards, fridge or bathroom.
  • Unexplained cash withdrawals or transactions from a person’s bank account
  • Payments to unknown person’s or businesses
  • Pressure to sell property or assets
  • Loans / credit cards being taken out in situations that give reason for concern
  • Unpaid bills or an inability to pay for essential bills including client contribution to care costs, accruing debt
  • Frequent calls from strangers / unknown numbers
  • Being secretive / defensive when discussing finances.
  • Frequent trips to the bank or being unusually short of money.
  • Home improvements / repairs that are not necessary
  • Not knowing their own financial information
  • Unexplained loss of financial documents
  • Sudden changes to a will / deeds or property titles
  • Missing personal possessions e.g. disappearance of valuables
  • Lasting power of attorney (LPA) being obtained after loss of mental capacity
  • Large amount of junk mail / high volumes of paperwork around the home
  • Purchases not in keeping with the person’s lifestyle or circumstances
  • The person responsible for managing financial affairs is vague / uncooperative
  • Increased anxiety / depression and may behave in an embarrassed, aggressive or ashamed way when asked about details of financial situation: reclusiveness and social withdrawal; may isolate themselves from family and friends: self-neglect/ there may be a visible lack of self-care

If Financial Abuse is Suspected:

Step 1

Where possible, ensure the immediate safety and welfare of the adult at risk (and of any other adult or child at risk). If urgent medical or police attention are required, call 999.

Step 2

If you suspect a person is being subject to financial abuse, this must be reported to the Police, for non-urgent cases 101 should be used.

If you suspect a Doorstep Crime incident is in progress you can speak to West Yorkshire Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133.

Step 3

Decide on whether to raise an Adult Safeguarding Concern. You can consult with your local Adult Social Care team, who are there to help: anyone can report concerns regarding actual, alleged, or suspected abuse directly to the Local Authority.