Charity probe after dementia sufferer 'lost £35,000'

Charities across the country will face a probe by the Information Commissioner's Office after claims that a dementia sufferer was scammed out of almost £35,000 after his personal details were sold.

According to claims made by the Daily Mail 87-year-old Samuel Rae's details were widely shared with charities and other parties after he forgot to tick a box on a survey more than two decades ago.

As a result of his details being shared the widower allegedly lost thousands of pounds after being targeted by scammers.

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham said the accusation that a charity had passed on Mr Rae's details was very "worrying":

Mr Rae's son Chris, who did not want to appear directly on camera, told ITV News the way his father had been treated was "absolutely disgraceful":

The ICO said they were concerned by the claims that had been made and would be investigating "whether any breaches of the law have taken place" as it launched an investigation into whether charities are buying and selling personal information.

Steve Eckersley from the ICO told the Daily Mail: "The law applies to charities as it does to any other organisation.

"If charities are buying and selling personal information without any thought of the wishes of the people involved it suggests not only a disregard for the law, but also a disconnect with the supporters whose generosity they rely on."