Falling for a scam could be an early sign of dementia

Research suggests falling prey to a con artist could be an early sign that an older person has dementia.

Being the victim of a scam could be linked to mild cognitive impairment and dementia, according to researchers from Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago.

Researchers asked nearly a thousand elderly people (935) to complete a ‘scam awareness questionnaire’ as part of a six-year study. All were free from dementia at the time of the study which also involved taking psychological tests every year.

The 264 participants who died, had an autopsy conducted to identify signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers concluded that by evaluating the elderly ‘scam awareness test’ they could identify individuals most at risk of dementia before any cognitive symptoms manifest.

The Alzheimer's Society has calculated that as many as 112,500 people with dementia have been victims of financial abuse such as cold calling, scam mail or mis-selling.

’Scam awareness tests could predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease earlier’

Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at Alzheimer’s Society said: “This study backs up previous research by showing - unsurprisingly - that people whose thinking and reasoning skills are declining are at higher risk of potential con artists.

“Not everyone in the study who was less aware of scams went on to develop Alzheimer’s, but there was a link. It will be interesting to see if ‘scam awareness’ tests could become one of the tests to predict the onset of Alzheimer's disease earlier.

“While Alzheimer’s Society scientists work hard to find new ways to diagnose dementia, this research also underlines the need for financial services to put stronger safeguards in place to protect people with dementia and their loved ones from financial scams, as recommended in our Dementia-Friendly Finance and Insurance Guide.”

According to Action Fraud, fraudsters are contacting victims in three ways:

Voicemails: Fraudsters are leaving victims automated voicemails saying that they owe HMRC unpaid taxes. When victims call back on the number provided, they are told that there is a warrant out in their name and if they don’t pay, the police will arrest them.

Spoofed calls: Fraudsters are cold calling victims using a spoofed 0300 200 3300 number and convincing them that they owe unpaid tax to HMRC. Text messages: Fraudsters are sending text messages that require victims to urgently call back on the number provided. When victims call back, they are told that there is a case being built against them for an outstanding debt and they must pay immediately.

Anyone who has been a victim of a scam, should report it to the police and also contact Action Fraud. The information you give to Action Fraud can help track down the scammer. You can report the scam online or by calling 0300 123 2040