The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch, attended today’s Council for Social Witness, as it discussed ‘Who’s Calling?’ his recent research report into the levels of cold calling and scams targeted at older people.

Describing the report as both ‘timely and highly concerning’, Council convener, Rev. Dr. Trevor McCormick, welcomed Mr. Lynch to the meeting, who detailed the report’s findings and emphasised the need to be vigilant.

“As a Church we currently provide residential care and supported housing to some 280 older people across 12 locations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,” Dr. McCormick explained.

“With congregations in regular contact with older people through Senior Member Groups and Luncheon Clubs, the report is both timely and highly concerning, so it was important for us to hear first-hand from the Commissioner the dangers involved and what precautions can be put in place,” he said.

Dr. McCormick noted the Council’s Older People Services Committee’s concerns that more than 1,000 people in Northern Ireland had been identified as being on a so-called ‘suckers list’. These are victims who have already been scammed and had their details ‘sold on’ to other scammers, saying that “we have a duty to raise awareness of this issue.”

Welcoming the opportunity to speak about the report, Mr. Lynch said, “I have been concerned for some time that the targeting of older people for scams has been on the rise and my research has found that many older people are constantly receiving unwanted telephone calls to their home.

“The levels of unsolicited calls and junk mail received goes far beyond the nuisance factor; they cause fear, annoyance and anger to the older people targeted. Eighty per cent of older people have received unsolicited calls to their home, with thirty-eight per cent also receiving calls to their home where no one speaks at least once a week. Ninety-One per cent of older people also receive between 1-30 pieces of junk mail every week.

“I am encouraging older people to become scam aware and consider ‘Who’s Calling?’ Older people are usually very courteous but they should not be afraid to hang up on unknown callers and put junk mail straight in the bin,” he said.

The Commissioner’s office is part of a Scamwise NI partnership with other organisations including the Police Service and Trading Standards. Scamwise NI have identified four ways to stay ahead of a scam by using the ‘Scam Test’ to identify possible scams:

Seems too good to be true

Contacted out of the blue

Asked for personal details

Money requested

Dr. McCormick said, “It is really important for everyone, family, friends and neighbours to draw attention to those who are vulnerable, especially those who are living alone, or simply more trusting of others, to be aware of the dangers of cold callers and potential scams. Like the report itself, today’s briefing was very useful.”

Before the opening of today’s Council for Social Witness, (left to right) Rev. John Seawright, Older People Services Committee convener, Council convener, Rev. Dr. Trevor McCormick, Linda Wray, residential and supported services manager, Eddie Lynch, Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland and Lindsay Conway Council secretary.

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If you feel you are a victim of scamming, or know someone who may be a victim you can contact the following organisations:

Police Service of Northern Ireland:                Tel. 101

Commissioner for Older People                     Tel. 02890 890 892

Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service Tel. 0300 1236 262

For more information and to download a copy of ‘Who’s Calling?’, visit the Commissioner for Older People’s website here.