ELDERLY people face an increased risk of being targeted by criminals exploiting winter fuel payment tax changes, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales warned today.

Rhian Bowen-Davies said new financial arrangements often lead to significant spikes in scams, with older people targeted due to their perceived vulnerability.

She urged vigilance and warned the elderly against sharing personal or financial information with anyone contacting them unexpectedly.

Ms Bowen-Davies said: “Whenever high-profile changes to tax or financial arrangements are made, we often see massive spikes in fraud and scams, which are often targeted at older people who are often seen as ‘easy targets’ by criminals.”

Common scams include texts or emails warning that money is owed or promising rebates, with links requesting personal details. 

She advised anyone in doubt to find a publicly available phone number and check directly with the organisation.

Suspected scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

“It’s crucial that older people are vigilant and do not share personal details if they are contacted unexpectedly about this or a similar matter,” Ms Bowen-Davies said.