Counter fraud investigators working on behalf of Redcar and Cleveland Council have uncovered cases of financial abuse involving adults receiving social care services.

Financial abuse can include money being stolen or misused; fraud; exploiting someone’s financial affairs for gain; restricting someone’s access to money, employment or possessions, or pressuring or coercing someone about their will, lasting power of attorney, property or inheritance.

It can be committed by rogue carers, sometimes even in the form of a relative or friend.

Veritau, which employs criminal investigators aimed at helping local authorities to prevent, detect and deter fraud, said a recent case in Redcar and Cleveland concluded with money being returned to a victim of financial abuse.

In another case investigative findings following concerns around financial abuse supported the council in an application for deputyship –  a legal process that sees courts appoint a ‘deputy’ in order to make decisions for another person who lacks the mental capacity to do so themselves.

Veritau said it worked with the police as part of adult social care safeguarding processes where the council may be at risk of financial loss.

An update report for members of the council’s governance committee covering the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year said 28 referrals of suspected fraud had been received to date by its team covering adult social care fraud, abuse of the council tax support scheme, attempts to evade or reduce business rates and council tax liabilities, and debt evasion.

Twenty investigations were currently ongoing, the report said.

Adult social care, which sees the council pay for the care and support of elderly and infirm residents, was the biggest cause of potential fraud investigated on behalf of Redcar and Cleveland Council in 2023/24.

Almost 39 per cent of alleged fraud cases investigated by Veritau last year concerned adult social care.

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According to the charity Age UK anyone concerned about financial abuse should ask themselves the following questions

Have you noticed unusual or inappropriate transactions on your bank statements?

Are you unable to access cash, either via banking or income sources, such as your pension or other benefits? 

Are you being pressured into giving your money to others, leaving you without the money you need to pay for essentials? 

Have you recently lost money without any explanation? 

Have you lent money to someone and they haven’t given it back?

Do you feel pressured or forced into making changes to your will or other financial plans?

Another UK-wide charity Hourglass provides information and support to an older person or anyone concerned about an older person who is at risk of  experiencing financial abuse and other types of abuse and neglect and operates a 24-hour helpline seven days a week for people to call – 0808 808 8141 or e-mail helpline@wearehourglass.org