The number of elderly Sardinians falling victim to skilled scammers posing as law enforcement officers, technicians, factory workers, couriers, bank or municipal employees, as well as distant relatives and even priests, continues to grow.
The alarm was raised by ANAP Confartigianato Sardegna , the National Association of Seniors and Pensioners, which underlined how information and awareness have led to the arrest of numerous criminals in recent times.
"We must not let our guard down, and these events must not leave us indifferent," says Giovanni Mellino, President of ANAP Confartigianato Sardegna, "because scams involving vulnerable people, especially elderly people living alone, are a serious and unfortunately ever-present social problem."
This is why ANAP has launched the anti-fraud campaign “Safer Together”.
«With initiatives like this one – explains Mellino – carried out in collaboration with the local police forces, we bring
We are continuing safety education programs and informational meetings to teach the elderly and their families how to recognize scam attempts and how to respond promptly.
The campaign focuses on practical advocacy tools for
Recognize suspicious situations and prevent crimes: how to verify the identity of anyone calling or showing up at your door, avoid being pressured by urgent phone calls or immediate requests for money, and immediately report any concerns to law enforcement.
"It's crucial to raise awareness without creating alarmism," Mellino continues, "because knowledge of the most common schemes, such as the fake police officer, is the first line of defense for our elderly."
(Unioneonline)
