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Senior Snippets - SCAM Awareness during COVID 19

Welcome to this edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Annie Dixon-Dunn of Home

Instead Senior Care Redditch & Bromsgrove.

During the pandemic, scammers are targeting people’s fears. Scams to be aware of include: • People claiming to be officials offering testing for coronavirus in the home; • People offering free face masks. They ask householders to try them on but they have been dosed with chloroform; • Callers offering to help with shopping who take money but do not return; • Businesses offering to clean and disinfect front doors and paths; • Products such as supplements and anti-virus kits that falsely claim to cure or prevent COVID-19; • Over the phone scams. The message is simple – the police or your bank will never ask you to hand over or transfer cash or valuables; • Email scams that trick people into opening malicious

attachments and put them at risk of identity theft with personal information, passwords, contacts and bank details at risk. Here’s what you should do if you come into contact with anyone claiming any of the above; • Don’t let anyone into your home; • Ask to see callers’ ID cards and call the company to see if they are genuine; • Do not reveal any bank details, put down the phone and wait ten minutes to ensure the line has disconnected. Report the matter to the police on 101 or via Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If you have any suggestions for how best to support the local community or a topic for Annie to write about, email annie.dixon-dunn@ homeinstead.co.uk or call 01564 741620.

Live Well, Stay Safe

We do more than just Care: Shopping for essentials and packing away for you Cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces Picking up medication and support prescription requirements Posting letters to keep in touch with loved ones Helping use technology to video chat with families Home Care is Safe Care DBS checked, PPE trained, professional CAREGivers visit at a time that suit you and always stay for at least an hour.

Currently taking on new clients in: Studley l Alcester l Henley in Arden l Redditch l Bromsgrove l Rubery l Rednal l Northfield

Personal Care Home Help Companionship Dementia Care

We’re here to help find the right care for you and your loved ones. To find out more call us on 01564 741 620 / 01527 810 855 Visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/rb