Navigating the world of scams can be tough, especially when you’re trying to protect someone you love. For Tony, safeguarding his 89-year-old mum, Becky, a former nurse and teaching assistant, has been a difficult journey. Since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis three years ago, Becky has faced memory loss and various challenges. “She still lives in her own home with my sister and is quite able to communicate, but she struggles with her short-term memory. If I’ve taken her out in the morning, she won’t remember it by the afternoon. She can’t remember her grandchildren’s names anymore,”
As Becky’s Alzheimer’s has progressed, so have the challenges of keeping her safe from scammers. Tony explained that a drain clearing company attempted to charge £4,000 for upsold services after an emergency callout, while a phone scammer had Becky calling premium numbers in Ireland and the Netherlands for Alzheimer’s information. A roofing company also attempted unnecessary work on her home. Fortunately, Merle, a host from The Filo Project—where Becky regularly attends activities—spotted the roofers when she came to pick her up. This small act of awareness helped the family step in before things escalated. “We managed to intervene and get the money back, but now my family and I look
after all of Mum’s finances, which can cause issues,”
One of the silver linings in this journey has been Becky’s involvement with The Filo Project. For the past two years, she’s joined a lovely group of women with dementia, filling her days with fun and connection. “Mum absolutely loves it at The Filo Project, and it’s all she talks about! They do all sorts of activities—crafting, pilates, and on nice days, Merle takes them to the beach for ice cream.”
For families in similar situations, resources like BBC Scam Safe Week can be helpful in understanding the latest scams and how to stay vigilant. This annual initiative aims to raise awareness and provide guidance, offering a toolkit for those facing the growing threat of fraud. Scam Safe Week will feature content across TV, radio, and online platforms, covering ways to protect loved ones and spot scams.
For more information, visit the BBC Scam Safe website.
Tony recently shared his mum’s story on Radio Devon. You can listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds (2:16).