Scam Safety for Carers
Guidance for carers helping the people they support stay safe from scams — balancing protection with dignity and autonomy.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Carers are often uniquely placed to notice the early signs of a scam and to put practical protections in place. At the same time, the people carers support have the right to privacy, independence, and to make their own decisions wherever possible. This guide is about helping carers navigate that balance — protecting the people they support from financial harm without crossing into surveillance or paternalism.
Your role as a carer in scam prevention
As a carer, you're often best placed to notice the small changes that precede a scam — a new 'friend' who calls constantly, unusual withdrawals, or sudden secrecy about finances that wasn't there before. Your role is to notice, gently raise concerns, and help put reasonable protections in place, not to take over decisions the person you support is still entitled to make. Start from a position of respect: ask questions rather than issuing warnings, such as 'that call sounded stressful, do you want to talk through what they said?' rather than 'you shouldn't have answered that.' Protection that ignores dignity tends to backfire, teaching the person to hide things from you rather than share them.
- Look out for unusual post, unexpected callers, or changes in financial behaviour
- Raise concerns with the person's family or key workers as appropriate
- Never access financial accounts without clear authorisation
- Document concerns through the appropriate channels in your organisation
Common scams affecting people carers support
The people carers support are frequently targeted by doorstep callers offering unnecessary repairs, phone scammers impersonating banks or government departments, fake prize letters demanding a fee to release winnings, and romance scams that build a relationship over months before asking for money. These approaches share a common feature: they exploit isolation, routine, and trust, and someone who lives alone or experiences memory difficulties can be an easier target simply because there's less opportunity for anyone to notice or intervene. Being aware of the formats that tend to appear in your role means you can recognise warning signs quickly — an unexplained new 'friend', unusual urgency around a payment, or distress after a call.
- Doorstep callers targeting people who may answer the door alone
- Phone scams relying on trust and compliance
- Fake competition or prize letters, often arriving by post
- Online or phone 'friendship' scams targeting loneliness
Practical steps carers can take
Within the boundaries of your role and with appropriate authorisation, there's a lot you can do practically: help set up call-blocking on their phone, put a small sign by the door reminding them to check ID before letting anyone in, and, where they're comfortable, keep an eye on post for anything that looks like a scam letter so it can be discussed together rather than acted on alone. If you help with their finances, agree a simple check before larger or unusual payments, such as a rule that any new request over a set amount gets a second look first. Document any concerns you raise, so there's a clear record if a pattern emerges.
- Help register the person with the Telephone Preference Service
- Note and report unexpected callers or requests for money
- Encourage a 'pause and check with family' habit for unexpected financial requests
- Alert family or a key worker if financial behaviour changes significantly
When to escalate a concern
If you believe someone you support is being financially exploited — repeated unexplained withdrawals, a new contact who seems to control access to their money, or signs of fear or secrecy around finances — treat it as seriously as any other safeguarding concern, because scam exploitation is a recognised form of financial abuse. Follow your organisation's safeguarding process promptly rather than waiting to be certain, since raising a concern is not the same as making an accusation, and the process exists to investigate properly. Document what you've observed factually, and continue supporting the person with warmth while the process runs its course. Acting on a genuine concern, even a false alarm, is always the right call.
- Use your organisation's safeguarding pathway
- Contact your local adult social care safeguarding team if appropriate
- Keep clear, dated notes of any concerns observed
Frequently asked questions
Can I contact someone's bank on their behalf?
Generally only if you hold formal authorisation such as Power of Attorney or a third-party mandate. If you have serious concerns about financial exploitation, contact your safeguarding lead — they can advise on the correct process for involving the bank.
The person I support insists on engaging with what I believe is a scam — what do I do?
Respect their autonomy while documenting your concerns clearly. Raise it with your supervisor or through the safeguarding process. In cases of significant financial risk to someone who may lack capacity, adult social care or the Court of Protection may be able to intervene.
Am I responsible if someone I care for is scammed?
Carers are not financially responsible for the choices of the people they support, but professional carers have a duty of care. If you noticed and reported warning signs through the correct channels, you have fulfilled your professional responsibility.