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Financial abuse of older people in Northern Ireland: the unsettling truth
- Author:
- COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This study provides evidence of the scope and scale of the financial abuse of older people in Northern Ireland. The study interviewed 1,025 people older people (aged 60 and over) across Northern Ireland were surveyed in relation to financial abuse. They were asked 29 questions in relation to their personal finances, money-management and decision-making in the last 12 months. The results found that that 21 per cent of older people surveyed had experienced some kind of financial abuse. The most prevalent forms of financial abuse identified were issues relating to money and possessions (7 per cent of respondents); buying and selling goods (6 per cent of respondents); and issues relating to charity contributions (4 per cent of respondents). Other types of financial abuse identified included: coercion to sign and fraudulent use of signatures; changes to legal and financial documents and investments; experience of coercion; bank account activity; deception and misuse of money; and issues relating to inheritance and power of attorney. Based on the result of the survey sample, which was representative of Northern Ireland’s older population, the findings suggest that over 75,000 older people are experiencing some form of financial abuse in Northern Ireland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Who's calling? Levels of cold calls and scams of older people in Northern Ireland
- Author:
- COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Drawing on the results of a survey, this report looks at the scale and nature of cold calls and scams affecting older people. The survey involved 1,025 older people and used a representative sample of Northern Ireland’s older population in terms of age group, region, gender and quintile of deprivation. Questions covered unsolicited calls, junk mail, coercion to sign and fraudulent use of signatures, and rogue traders pressurising older people into buying something that they later regretted. The figures show that significant numbers of older people are the victims of scams, with technological developments making older people more vulnerable. It also highlights the emotional impact of scams, which could result in older victims becoming more socially isolated. The survey found 67 per cent of respondents experienced unsolicited calls to their home, with 22 per cent receiving these calls once a week. In addition 2 per cent of respondents reported that they signed documents without understanding what they were signing and 4 per cent disclosed that they felt tricked or pressured into buying something that they later regretted. Short quotations from survey respondents are included. (Edited publisher abstract)