Trafford Trading Standards came to talk about reducing the risk of becoming victim to doorstep traders and cold telephone callers at our Newhaven group. Whilst acknowledging that there is currently no failsafe way of preventing people with dementia from being vulnerable, there are some steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk and the stress and anxiety associated with it.
1. Keep your door on a chain, and get in the habit of putting it on. If you are unable to verify the person’s identity there and then, it is OK to say you will call their company to arrange for them to return when you are happy for them to.
2. If you’re expecting someone you have not met before, give them a password that no-one else will know.
3. Memo minders can be useful for some people with mild short term memory loss. As well as reminding you, for example, not to sign anything on the spot, hearing second voice in the home can make callers unsure if you are alone.
4. A sticker in the window informing callers they are not welcome should deter genuine traders. Trading standards produce a sticker with their contact number on the side visible to you so you can call to report any problems.
5. Register with the telephone preference service, and the mailing preference service. These make it illegal for companies to make ‘cold’ calls, or send unsolicited mail. It gives you a mechanism for reporting and consequently dealing with, unwanted contact which you may otherwise feel powerless against. It does not stop companies calling who you have had contact with in the past, if you have given permission for them to call.
6. Charities – and trading companies - with whom you have dealt previously should remove your details from their contact list at the first time of asking. If you continue to have problems, Age UK Trafford or Trading Standards can assist.
7. Any person, not just someone with dementia, can be swayed by a friendly sales person. Learn to refuse firmly and confidently and not feel guilty, and don’t hand cash over to anyone.
8. Arranging for a trusted person to hold Lasting Power of Attorney. This means that if the time comes that you have reduced mental capacity to manage your affairs, your appointed person can act on your behalf, which is very difficult otherwise due to strict data protection and fraud prevention laws.
9. Don’t hesitate to report problems to Trading Standards – if they know that someone is about to be taken advantage of, they can take action to prevent this. Remember that if it is happening to you, it is probably going to happen to someone else in the neighbourhood too. The more Trading Standards are aware of, the more they can prevent. If a crime has been committed, or is about to be committed, the police can also act. Silent phone calls are also illegal and can be reported – the number can be traced even if it was withheld.
10. Trafford Consumer Alert Network is an early warning system operated by trading standards – a message is sent to anyone registered by phone, text or email, about cons and scams operating in the local area. You can then pass the message on to your friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable.
11. Some telephones have a caller display screen – all mobile phones now have this, and you can buy land lines with them. You can then choose not to answer calls if you don’t know the number. You can also purchase a blocker that will stop specific numbers from calling if they are problematic, but these have a higher cost.
People with dementia are at risk regardless of whether they live alone or with someone – after all, no supporter can be around them 24 hours a day, and continued independence is accompanied with risk. Establishment of good habits early on, taking preventative steps rather than waiting for something to happen and being prepared by putting power of attorney in place can all reduce the impact of problems.
Useful Contact phone numbers and web sites
Trafford Trading Standards
Tel. 0161 912 1377
Age UK Trafford Dementia Advice Service
T: 0161 746 3944
E: dementia.adviser@ageuktrafford.org.uk
Telephone Preference Service
Tel: 0845 070 0707
Mail Preference Service
W: http://www.mpsonline.org.uk
The Information Commissioners Office
Tel: 030 3123 1113
W: www.ico.gov.uk
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