Protecting against doorstep and phone scams

A scam is any dishonest scheme designed to trick you out of money, personal information or both. Scammers are criminals who use psychological tricks, fake identities and high-pressure tactics to catch people off guard and make them act without thinking.

While anyone can fall victim to a scam, people with dementia face particular risks. Scammers often deliberately target older adults because they may be more trusting, less likely to hang up the phone or close the door and might find it harder to spot warning signs they would have recognised in the past. Changes in judgement, memory or decision-making that come with dementia can make it more difficult to assess whether someone is genuine or suspicious.

It's important to understand that falling for a scam is never a sign of weakness or stupidity. These criminals are skilled at what they do – they study human psychology, practise their techniques and specifically target moments when people are vulnerable, distracted or simply being polite. People across the UK are targeted by scammers every year, and many more are affected than official statistics show because victims often feel too embarrassed to report what happened.

The good news is that many scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for and have a plan for responding, you can help protect yourself. The key is preparation – having simple strategies ready so you can respond confidently when faced with unexpected pressure.

If you're caring for someone with dementia, discussing these situations together and practising responses can make a real difference. The more prepared and informed someone feels, the more confident they'll be in protecting themselves.

Common types of scams

Two of the most common ways scammers target people are through doorstep visits and phone calls. These approaches can feel particularly intrusive and pressurising, making them especially concerning for people with dementia.

Doorstep scams

Doorstep scams typically involve someone turning up at your home uninvited, often with a convincing story about why they need access or money. These visitors can seem very professional and persuasive, which is exactly what makes them dangerous.

Rogue traders are among the most common doorstep scammers. They might claim to have noticed roof tiles that need fixing, offer to tarmac your drive at a special price or insist your gutters need immediate attention. The pressure is always on – they'll tell you the problem is urgent and they happen to have materials on their van that they can use straight away.

These scammers typically demand cash payment upfront and either disappear with the money or do such poor work that you'll need to pay someone else to fix their mistakes. Sometimes they'll start a small job then claim they've discovered a much bigger problem that needs expensive work.

False officials pose as police officers, council workers, or utility company staff. They might say they need to check your gas meter, inspect your property for safety reasons, or even claim they're investigating counterfeit money and need to check your cash.

Charity collectors can tug at heartstrings by claiming to represent worthy causes. While many genuine charity collectors do door-to-door work, scammers use this as a cover to get money or card details.

High-pressure salespeople might offer everything from home security systems to household goods. They'll often claim you've been specially selected for a discount or that the offer expires today.

Phone scams

Phone scams have become incredibly sophisticated, with scammers able to make their calls appear to come from genuine numbers – a technique called "spoofing".

Bank impersonation is particularly common. The caller will claim to be from your bank's fraud department, insisting there's suspicious activity on your account that needs immediate attention. They might ask you to confirm your PIN, move money to a "safe account", or even send someone to collect your cards.

The crucial thing to remember is that banks will never call you asking for your PIN, passwords, or ask you to move money. If you get such a call, hang up immediately.

Cold calling scams involve unsolicited calls trying to sell investments, insurance or services like solar panels or home improvements. These callers are often very persistent and persuasive, using high-pressure tactics to get you to commit immediately.

Accident compensation scams involve callers claiming you've been in an accident and are entitled to compensation. They might have surprisingly accurate information about you, making the call seem genuine.

Computer support scams involve callers claiming to be from companies like Microsoft, saying your computer has a virus or has been hacked. They'll offer to fix the problem remotely, which actually gives them access to your computer and personal information.

Protection strategies

For doorstep security:

• Install a door chain and peephole so you can see and talk to visitors without opening the door fully

• Consider a video doorbell – these let you see who's at the door and even speak to them remotely from your phone

• Put up a "No cold callers" sign – while not foolproof, it can deter opportunistic scammers

• Never agree to work or purchases on the spot – legitimate businesses will give you time to think

For phone protection:

• Remember that you can always hang up – there's no obligation to stay on the line

• If someone claims to be from your bank, hang up and call the bank back using the number on your bank card

• Use the 159 service – this connects you directly to your bank's fraud team from any UK phone

• Consider call-blocking services or phones with built-in call screening

• Register for free with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce marketing calls

When to be especially cautious

Be particularly wary if someone:

• Arrives unexpectedly claiming urgent work is needed

• Asks for cash payment upfront

• Pressures you to make an immediate decision

• Won't provide proper identification

• Asks for personal information like bank details or passwords

• Claims you've won something in a competition you don't remember entering

• Says they're calling about a problem with your computer or bank account

Building confidence

The key to protection is building confidence in saying no and asking for help. It's perfectly acceptable to:

• Ask for identification and check it carefully

• Say you need to discuss any decision with family or friends

• Ask someone to come back another time

• Close the door or hang up the phone if you feel uncomfortable

Remember, legitimate businesses and officials won't mind if you want to verify their identity or take time to consider their offer. Anyone who gets pushy or refuses to wait is showing you exactly why you should be suspicious.

If you're caring for someone with dementia, discuss these responses together. The more prepared someone feels, the more confident they'll be in handling these situations.