One in four pensioners in Örebro County are falling victim to attempted fraud, highlighting the high vulnerability of pensioners to scams. According to a new member survey from PRO, 26 percent of pensioners in the county have already experienced fraud attempts, while 44 percent are constantly worried about being targeted.
Åsa Lindestam, the chairman of PRO, emphasized the need for the government and banks to take responsibility for protecting the elderly from scams. Lindestam stated that targeting defenseless pensioners and deceiving them out of their life savings is a reckless act. PRO is actively working towards equipping its members with information to prevent them from becoming victims.
PRO’s Pensioners’ Barometer regularly conducts surveys to gauge member opinions on important issues concerning pensioners. The recent survey revealed that nearly a quarter of pensioners in Örebro County have encountered attempted fraud, while the fear of being targeted is even more widespread, affecting 44 percent of pensioners.
Notably, phone fraud, commonly known as vishing, poses a significant threat to the elderly population. In the previous year, the police reported 21,600 cases of telephone fraud nationwide, resulting in fraudsters obtaining more than SEK 600 million. This highlights the urgent need for stronger measures to protect pensioners from such crimes.
Åsa Lindestam stressed the importance of allocating more resources to the police and called for greater accountability from banks. Lindestam suggested the implementation of a blocking function or two-step control to prevent fraud. The crimes not only have a severe impact on individuals but also serve as a funding source for criminal activities.
In November 2022, the General Complaints Board, ARN, issued new recommendations for banks to reconsider previous decisions that placed the entire loss burden on the customer. These recommendations aimed to provide a fairer outcome for victims of fraud.
The situation in Örebro County reminds us of the pressing need for proactive measures to safeguard pensioners and combat fraud. As the elderly become increasingly targeted, it is essential for the government, banks, and relevant authorities to work together in creating a safer environment for this vulnerable group.
– Örebro/Örebro County
– Örebro News