Care Home Fees scammers helped by ignorance

Published: 06/07/2015

Scam Awareness month saw the exposure of a con involving vulnerable people who are being preyed on by scammers. The scammers purport to work for reputable firms and to be legally trained and they offer to write trust deeds to protect people’s homes and other assets from the costs of care home fees.

Trading Standards has publicised these scams in a bid to ‘fight back against scammers’ and to protect victims for being exposed to a con which could cost up to £2,500 and they are appealing for anyone who’s been a victim to report this to them. Elderly people in the county are being approached over the phone and by email as well as in their own homes.

Lee Baker, Head of Care Home Fees comments:

“This situation is appalling – elderly, vulnerable people who are often of limited financial means being targeted sometimes in their own homes by con men looking to make a quick buck. One cause of this, unfortunately, is that the situation regarding care home fees is not widely understood.

“What many people aren’t aware of is that, anyone who requires residential care because of a primary health need should have their fees funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). This funding is not means tested. There are a number of conditions that are deemed to be primary health needs – dementia, Alzheimer’s, a stroke, diabetes and epilepsy are all good examples.

“In my role where I help clients reclaim care home fees I’ve found all too often that people are unaware of how CCG funding can help with nursing care. It’s clear to me that widespread ignorance is helping scammers to con elderly and vulnerable people regarding care home fees.”

Content correct at time of publication