Care Professional Prevents Client from Becoming a Scam Victim

Recently, Care Professional Suzie Ainslow proved just how essential this commitment is by preventing her elderly client, Jean, from becoming a victim of an online scam.

Suzie arrived at Jean’s home on a typical Thursday morning, only to see her client on the brink of entering her debit card details into what appeared to be a Microsoft payment screen. Sensing that something was amiss, Suzie intervened and explained that the prompt might not be genuine. Attempting to close the screen, she found it resistant to any action—a red flag that heightened her suspicions. Using her experience and quick thinking, Suzie shut down the computer using Task Manager. After restarting, there was no prompt to make a purchase, indicating that the “Microsoft payment” was indeed a scam attempt. To further protect Jean, Suzie installed a free AVG antivirus program and ran a scan, ensuring her laptop was free from any lingering threats.

The unfortunate reality is that older adults are frequently targeted by scammers, who see them as vulnerable and more likely to fall prey to deceptive tactics. Statistics reveal that a third of people over 65 believe they’ve been targeted in purchase scams. As Home Instead Rugby supports clients in their homes, care professionals like Suzie frequently encounter attempts by fraudsters to manipulate elderly individuals through phone calls, emails, and even in-person scams.

Home Instead Rugby is equipped to handle these threats, thanks in part to a scam-prevention initiative developed with UK Finance, the banking sector’s trade association. This collaboration has helped to empower care professionals with vital scam-awareness knowledge, making them even more effective at recognising suspicious situations and protecting their clients.

Suzie’s dedication is a testament to her role as a care professional. She shared her perspective on why her work is about more than just day-to-day support:

“As a care professional, I see it as my duty to ensure that older adults are safe, secure, and well-cared-for. Protecting their well-being isn’t just a responsibility; it’s a privilege to be entrusted with their care.”

Sarah Slater, owner of Home Instead Rugby, expressed her pride in Suzie’s vigilance:

“We’re so proud of Suzie and her initiative to keep her client safe. We see how much staying at home means to older people, and that should come hand-in-hand with feeling safe. Our care professionals are the eyes and ears of our clients, and we highlight the importance of acting if anything doesn’t seem right.”

By going above and beyond, Suzie has shown that care professionals play a crucial role in ensuring clients’ safety, not only physically but also financially. Home Instead Rugby is dedicated to creating a secure, scam-aware environment for every client in their care.

For more information on Home Instead’s care services or career opportunities, please call 01455 247100 or email Jane Hughes at [email protected].

You can also find details on Home Instead Rugby’s website https://www.homeinstead.co.uk/rugby