More than 80% of financial abuse 'committed by people known to the victim' 

Keeping change after doing a grandparent’s shopping, stealing cash from someone’s house or using bank cards without permission are examples of the type financial abuse people suffer.

More than 80% of financial abuse is committed by people known to the victim, new figures show.

Keeping change after doing a grandparent’s shopping, stealing cash from someone’s house or using bank cards without permission are examples of the type financial abuse people suffer.

The HSE is launching a new helpline to help victims in Cork and Kerry. The helpline is open from Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and gives people direct access to a HSE team at 1800 225 500.

It is a freephone number which Miriam Tobin, principal social worker, said means people do not need credit on their phone.

"Sometimes the person committing the abuse may have financial difficulties or may have a gambling, or addiction problem,” she said.

“There are others who genuinely believe they have the older person's best interests at heart. For example, collecting Grandad's pension for him and giving him spending money, so it's not frittered away.

"That's wrong, that's financial abuse, people have a right to choose to spend their money how they want.” 

Working with the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Safeguarding and Protection team, she urged people to use the number.

HSE National Safeguarding Office general manager Tim Hanly advised: "If there is a serious and immediate danger, call the gardaí at 999 or 112." 

The new research shows 30% of adults in Ireland have experienced financial abuse, or know someone who has been abused.

Some 11% had personal experience and 20% knew someone who had suffered, RED C research for Safeguarding Ireland found.

The abusers included family members, carers and neighbours, as well as social welfare agents or workers.

In 85% of cases where someone had money taken, they knew the abuser. In 78% of cases where someone witnessed financial abuse, the abuser was also known.

“The level was 81% combining both cohorts,” it said.

Stealing cash from a house was the most common abuse, at 60% of cases, followed by change not given back at 57%, and misuse of a bank card at 54%.

Property or other possessions were used without agreement or knowledge in 49% of cases, while online scams or frauds were involved in 48%.

In 40% of cases online banking was mis-used or social welfare payments misused.

Pressure to change will

In 29% of cases, people were put under pressure to change a property deed, enduring power of attorney, or will.

Safeguarding Ireland chairperson Patricia Rickard-Clarke said frail older people are particularly at risk, as are people with a disability, acquired brain injury or other mental challenges.

“We know that it often involves coercion of a vulnerable person. It can happen when someone is dependent on another person for help, and that person subtly misuses their money,” she said.

“This can start small and escalate into serious crime, but all financial abuse at any level is wrongdoing and must be called out.” Marking Adult Safeguarding Day on Friday, she encouraged people to control their own money.

“If help is needed with day-to-day spending, choose carefully a highly trusted person and limit their access,” she said.

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.