Staying Safe from Scams: Raising Awareness During Scam Awareness Week

At Home Instead West Lancashire and Chorley, we are proud to support Scam Awareness Week – a national campaign dedicated to helping people stay informed, alert, and safe from fraudulent activity.

Scams can affect anyone, but older adults are often particularly targeted. From fake calls and emails to doorstep fraud and online scams, criminals are constantly coming up with new ways to exploit people’s trust.

That’s why it’s important to stay informed and share knowledge within our families and communities.

Here are two key tips to help prevent scams:

1. Pause and Challenge
   If someone contacts you unexpectedly asking for personal information, money, or access to your computer — stop and think. Is this person who they say they are? Don’t feel pressured to act quickly. Legitimate organisations will always give you time.
2. Never Share Personal Details or PINs
   Banks and government bodies will never ask for your PIN, password, or full account details over the phone or via email. If in doubt, hang up and call the organisation back using a trusted number.

Helpful Resources:

• 🛡️ Take Five to Stop Fraud: Advice on how to spot scams and protect yourself
  https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk
• 💬 Citizens Advice – Scams Advice: Help if you’ve been scammed and how to report it
  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/
• 🔒 Age UK – Avoiding Scams: Specific guidance for older adults
  https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/scams-fraud/

At Home Instead, our amazing team of Care Professionals are also trained to look out for signs of fraud and support clients in staying safe and secure at home. If you’re concerned about someone you care for, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Let’s work together to help our community stay scam-smart 💚