Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch
Derbyshire Neighbourhood Watch
Fraud is often associated with suspicious emails, bogus phone calls and criminals hiding behind fake online identities. But some of the most devastating financial abuse happens much closer to home.
New figures released by the City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud, have revealed that more than £51 million was stolen from people aged 70 and over through fraud by abuse of position during the 2025/26 financial year.
The figures, published on 7 September 2026 and drawn from Report Fraud data, show how financial abuse can be carried out by people already known to the victim — including family members, friends, carers, employees or others trusted to help manage their money and affairs.
You can read the original City of London Police release here: City of London Police – Trusted family members, friends and carers stole £51 million from pensioners.
Across all age groups, £93.8 million in losses were reported through fraud by abuse of position during 2025/26, with 3,812 reports made.
For families across Derbyshire, the figures are an important reminder to look out for signs that an older or vulnerable person may be experiencing financial abuse.
Fraud by abuse of position happens when someone exploits a position of responsibility, authority or trust to access or take another person’s money, assets or property without lawful authority.
It can take many forms.
Someone may take a bank card and make withdrawals, obtain banking details, transfer money from an account they have access to or use somebody else’s finances for their own benefit.
Other cases can involve property, wills, estates or legal arrangements.
What makes this type of fraud particularly difficult to spot is that the person responsible may already be part of the victim’s everyday life.
They may be somebody the victim depends on and, in some cases, somebody friends and family would have little reason to question.
The City of London Police figures show just how heavily older people are being affected.
People aged 80 to 89 experienced both the highest number of reports and the greatest financial losses of any age group, with almost £24 million reported stolen.
Ill health and increasing reliance on other people can make someone more vulnerable, particularly if they need help with shopping, banking, paying bills or managing their home.
The police data found that dementia was referenced in 337 reports, while victims were described as vulnerable in 359 reports.
Bereavement can also leave people particularly exposed at a time when families are already dealing with considerable emotional and practical pressures.
The data included reports connected with probate and allegations that wills or estates had been manipulated for financial gain.
One of the most concerning areas highlighted by the figures involves Powers of Attorney.
There were 764 reports involving the misuse of Powers of Attorney, resulting in reported losses of £34.6 million.
A Power of Attorney can give someone significant responsibility for another person’s finances. For many families, it provides an important way of supporting someone who is no longer able, or finds it difficult, to manage their affairs themselves.
That authority must, however, be used properly and in the person’s best interests.
Anyone worried that an attorney, deputy or guardian may be using somebody’s money or property incorrectly, failing to act in their best interests or abusing their position can raise a concern with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Find official guidance here: GOV.UK – Report a concern about an attorney, deputy or guardian.
The figures also identified 444 reports involving social care workers abusing their position, with reported losses totalling £13.3 million.
According to the City of London Police, cases included offenders gaining access to victims’ bank cards, financial information or personal belongings while providing care and support.
The figures reinforce why sensible safeguards around money and financial information are important, particularly where somebody relies heavily on another person for day-to-day support.
Financial abuse will not always be immediately obvious. Sometimes it is a series of relatively small changes that first suggests something isn’t right.
Things worth paying attention to include:
One unusual transaction does not automatically mean somebody is being financially abused, but concerns should not simply be dismissed because the person involved is a relative, friend, carer or other trusted individual.
Where appropriate, regularly reviewing bank and credit card statements with an older relative can be one of the simplest ways of spotting something unusual.
The City of London Police is also encouraging people to watch for unpaid bills, missing possessions and unexpected changes to bank accounts or wills.
It is worth having conversations about who has access to accounts, cards and financial information and making sure important documents are stored securely.
Families can understandably feel uncomfortable questioning somebody they know. But where something doesn’t seem right, asking questions early could prevent much greater losses later.
If you discover financial transactions that have not been authorised, contact the person’s bank or card provider as soon as possible.
Fraud can be reported through Report Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting service.
Report fraud online through Report Fraud
You can also call 0300 123 2040.
If a crime is happening now, contact the police on 999 in an emergency or 101 for a non-emergency.
Worried about a vulnerable adult in Derbyshire?
Financial abuse is also a safeguarding issue.
Derbyshire County Council advises people to raise a concern if they believe an adult with care and support needs is experiencing abuse or neglect, or is at risk of harm.
Importantly, you do not need to have proof that abuse has taken place before raising a concern.
Members of the public in Derbyshire can contact Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190. The out-of-hours number is 01629 532600.
More information is available here: Derbyshire County Council – Safeguarding adults.
If somebody is in immediate danger, always call 999.
Neighbourhood Watch is often about noticing when something has changed.
That doesn’t just mean watching for suspicious activity outside someone’s home. It can also mean noticing when an older neighbour suddenly seems worried about money, when bills are piling up unexpectedly or when somebody vulnerable appears to have lost control of their own finances.
The uncomfortable reality highlighted by these latest figures is that the person exploiting somebody may be a person they know and trust.
Remaining alert, checking in and knowing when to raise a concern could help protect somebody from losing far more than money.
The statistics used in this article come from Report Fraud data for the 2025/26 financial year, released by the City of London Police on 7 September 2026.
Original source:
City of London Police – Trusted family members, friends and carers stole £51 million from pensioners
Report fraud:
Report Fraud – official reporting service
Concerns about a Power of Attorney, deputy or guardian:
Office of the Public Guardian guidance on GOV.UK
Derbyshire safeguarding support:
Derbyshire County Council – Safeguarding
