Keeping your money safe

What is Financial Harm?

Harm is when someone hurts you or treats you

badly.

Financial harm means stopping you from having

your money or the things you own or making you use your money in a way you don’t want to.

No-one should stop you from having or using your own money.

No-one should try to steal your money or benefits.

Anyone could harm you financially. You could be harmed by someone you trust, like

family, staff or a friend.

Nobody should take control of your money if you

can do this for yourself.

Any person you choose to help you manage your money should be someone you trust completely.

No-one should make decisions that are not right for you, or you do not agree with.

You can get help and support if you are being harmed financially.

Do not be embarrassed to tell someone if you are

being harmed financially.

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Who can I tell?

If you are worried about any kind of harm, you can

phone the Adult Protection Phone Line.

The number is 01383 602200.

The person on the phone will:

• Listen carefully to what you say and ask you some questions about what has happened

• Make sure that you are safe

• Tell the police if there has been a crime

• Involve other people like social workers and

health service staff to find out what has happened and keep you safe.

If it is an emergency always call 999.

If it is not an emergency you can call the

Police non-emergency phone number 101.

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Nobody should try to make you do anything you don’t want to do.

Nobody should ask you to buy them gifts if you

don’t want to.

Nobody should get you to buy things that you don’t really need or want.

Nobody should ask you to buy things from certain

shops, so they can get the reward points.

Nobody should ever move into your house if you do not want them to—even if they are your family or friends.

Nobody should live in your house without giving you money for household bills and rent, unless you both agree.

4

Mate Crime

Mate Crime happens when someone pretends to be your friend but is not really your friend.

It might be someone you have met recently.

It might be someone you have known for a long time.

Mate Crime is done by someone you know.

Most friends really are your friends.

But sometimes people might pretend to be your friend.

This can be in real life, and online as well.

Mate Crime is like bullying.

Mate Crimes often happen in private and are not seen by others.

If Mate Crime is happening to you, always tell someone you trust and they can support you to call the Adult Protection Phone Line on 01383 602200.

5

Distraction burglary

This happens when two people you don’t know come to your door.

One person will keep you talking and the other person will try to get into your house to steal things.

Bogus Callers

Criminals can pretend to be someone, like a salesperson, and try to sell you something

that you don’t want.

Don’t be afraid to shut the door on them.

You do not HAVE to listen to what they have to say.

Scams

A scam is when a criminal tricks you out of money by trying to get you to buy things or trying to get your bank details.

Remember if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Ignore any suspicious emails, letters, and adverts that ‘pop-up’ on your computer screen.

If it’s a telephone call put the phone down.

If the person says they’re from an organisation you

recognise, let that organisation know what has happened.

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If you’ve already answered a scam:

• Stop talking to them.

• Don’t write back or email them again.

• Let your bank know straight away.

• Let your credit or debit card company know straightaway. The phone number will be on the back of your card.

If I’ve been scammed—

who do I tell?

You can phone:

• Police on 101

or

• Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

or report it online at: www.actionfraud.police.uk

or

• Citizen’s Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06

or

• or the Adult Protection Phone Line on 01383 602200

You can report a scam without giving your name, by contacting: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

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Looking after your bank information

Always keep your bank cards and money safe and out of sight.

Try not to let your bank card out of your sight when you are using it.

Always check your bank statement. If you see that money has been taken out of your account that you know you didn’t spend, get in touch with your credit card company and your bank straight away.

If you get a new bank card sign it straight away.

Cut up your old bank card before you throw it away.

PIN Numbers

Your PIN number is the 4 digit number you need

to remember to be able to use your bank card.

Remember your PIN number. Never write it down

or tell anyone what your numbers are.

Your bank or the police will never phone you and

ask what your PIN number is.

When you put your PIN number in, use your other hand to cover what you are doing.

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Cash machines

If you are using a cash machine and someone is pushing into you or watching what you are doing, press the ‘cancel’ button and walk away.

If you notice anything unusual about the cash

machine don’t use it.

Go into the bank and tell them what is wrong.

If the bank is closed there should be a phone number on the cash machine.

Never let anyone help you if you don’t need help.

Never let anyone put you off what you are doing.

When you are finished, always put your money and bank card away before leaving the cash machine.

If the cash machine doesn’t return your card, go

into the bank and tell them, or phone the

emergency number for your bank.

Never walk about with your purse or wallet in your hand.

Always keep your bag zipped up or closed. Do not put your purse or wallet at the top of your bag.

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Keep your personal information safe

Online banking or online shopping. Always check the site is safe.

The address should start with https: The ‘S’ means it is safe and secure.

Never send anyone your bank details in an email.

Social Networking

Never put any personal information on

social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Personal information is your address, phone number, date of birth or your bank account details.

Use your privacy settings so that just ‘friends’ see your information. This way, you decide who sees your information.

www.safernet.org.uk/ gives advice on

staying safe online for people with

learning disabilities, and the people who

support them.

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Power of attorney

A power of attorney is a legal term.

It means you arrange to give legal power to someone you trust.

This means they can make decisions for you, if you become unable to make decisions for yourself.

You will need a solicitor to help you set up a power of attorney.

The website: www.mypowerofattorney.org.uk gives you information and advice.

Making a Will

Your Will is a letter that lets people know what you want to happen to your money and your things when you die.

A will should be made by a solicitor.

Nobody should make you change your Will if you

do not want to.

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Useful information for you and the people who support you is available at: www.fifedirect.org.uk/adultprotection

Visit the ‘Keeping Safe’ page and click on ‘Financial Harm’

You can also get advice from Citizens Advice & Rights Fife

(Money Advice Unit) by calling: 03451 400 094 or visit: www.carfweb.org/

Remember, if someone is stopping you from having your money or the things you own call the Adult Protection Phone Line on 01383 602200.