How To Support Someone With Dementia If They Have Been Scammed
Compassionate guidance for responding if a person living with dementia has been scammed — covering immediate steps, recovery, and longer-term financial protection.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Finding out that someone you love who is living with dementia has been scammed can be shocking and distressing. It is important to remember that this is not a failure on their part — scammers specifically target cognitive vulnerability, and the tactics used are designed to bypass even careful, capable people. The focus now is on compassionate recovery, not blame, and on building better protection for the future.
Immediate steps
Act quickly but calmly. Time matters for financial recovery but your manner matters for the person's wellbeing.
- Contact the bank's fraud line immediately — do not wait
- Do not tell the person they have been 'fooled' — frame it as an external problem you are solving together
- Collect and preserve any communications — messages, letters, call history
- Report to your national fraud reporting service
Longer-term financial protection
Reducing financial vulnerability going forward may involve formal steps, but these should be introduced sensitively and with legal advice.
- Consider whether a Lasting Power of Attorney (or equivalent) is in place or should be arranged
- Speak to the bank about adding a trusted person to account notifications
- Review whether large sums can be moved to accounts with additional authorisation steps
- Contact a dementia charity for specialist financial safeguarding guidance
Looking after yourself and the person
Scam recovery for someone with dementia can be emotionally complex for carers and family members.
- Acknowledge your own distress — this is a difficult situation
- Maintain the person's dignity: they are not at fault
- Keep communication calm and simple — repeated distress helps neither of you
- Seek support from carers' organisations if needed
Conversation script
“There was a problem with someone who contacted you — it was not your fault at all and we are sorting it out.”
“I have spoken to the bank and they are looking into it. You do not need to worry about anything — we are handling it together.”
“I am going to help make sure this cannot happen again. We are going to sort this out.”
Frequently asked questions
They keep engaging with the same scammer even after we intervene — what do we do?
This is a recognised pattern with dementia and scams. The person may not retain the memory of the intervention, or the scammer may have built a strong emotional bond. Practical blocking steps — changing the phone number, installing call-blocking software, redirecting post — may be more effective than repeated conversations. Speak to a dementia specialist for tailored guidance.
Should I involve the police?
Yes — report the scam to your national fraud reporting service. Even if individual recovery is unlikely, reports build intelligence that helps authorities identify patterns and pursue those responsible. It also creates a formal record that may be relevant if you later need to demonstrate a safeguarding concern.