Charity calls for more action against scams

A Cardiff pensioner has told ITV News of her concerns for other vulnerable people, after she became the victim of an online scam.

Valerie Evans, who's 72, had her personal details stolen and used online as part of a loan application.

Her story comes on the day a national campaign is launched urging people to be vigilant, amid warnings that scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

Chief Executive of Age Cymru, Ian Thomas also talks about what can we do to help protect older people, particularly as scams are becoming more sophisticated.

Older people's charity Age Cymru says its estimates up to 50,000 scams could have been committed in Wales over a year - but only around 2,500 were reported, and there were only a handful of prosecutions.

The charity has today called on the Welsh Government to act to protect older people against scams.

Between February 2012 and February 2013:

• More than 2,500 scams were reported to Trading Standards departments in Wales
• Age Cymru estimates that up to 50,000 scams could have been committed in Wales- as the Office of Fair Trading believes that only 5 per cent of scams are ever reported

• Just under 1,000 doorstep scams were reported in Wales, with 19 prosecutions
• More than 1,650 mail/phone/online scams were reported in Wales, with two prosecutions

The Welsh Government says its committed to extending No Cold Calling Zones in Wales. It comes as the older person's charity Age Cymru calls for more action to be taken to protect older people from becoming victims of scams.

A Welsh charity is calling for government action to protect older people from scams and rogue traders.

The 'Scams and Swindles' campaign marks the beginning of Scams Awareness Month and urges the Welsh Government to increase the number of 'No Cold Calling Zones' in local authorities.

There are currently over 1,500 zones covering almost 40,000 residential households in Wales.

It also asks telephone companies and internet service providers to provide more protection against scam mail, calls and messages.

Gerry Keighley, from Age Cymru, said: "Older people who are targeted and caught up in scams lose an average £1,200 each, but they can lose much, much more - their life savings, their self-esteem, their dignity and even the will to live.

"Families can also be devastated by scams as some older people end up trusting the scammers more than they do their own relatives."