Be careful of scams, especially via the internet: the victims are often the elderly. 50% of scams are successful and only in 47% of cases do people react by filing a complaint . This is the alarm raised by Anap (national association of elderly people and pensioners of Confartigianato Sardegna), based on a survey which involved around 10 thousand over 65s in Italy. The analysis is part of the "Safer together" campaign and has also been relaunched in Sardinia.
Fraudulent activation of services by telephone (6%) or with home visits (15%) and online fraud (20%) have a reporting rate of less than one in five cases. «The national data – explains Giovanni Mellino, Sardinian president of Anap – correspond to what happens on the island» . And he adds: «The percentage of elderly people who fall into the network of criminals is still too high. It is necessary to continue with awareness campaigns."
A quarter of those interviewed, after having suffered a scam, changed their behavior and reduced the opportunities to meet and take risks, for fear of being victims of crimes of this type again. "We need certain penalties, which safeguard the dignity of our elderly people who have given a lot to society during their lives - reiterates Mellino - it would also be appropriate to make the reporting process more practicable".
(Unioneonline/LM)
