A SCAMS unit set up to protect elderly and vulnerable people from being cheated out of cash in the Dudley borough has stopped an estimated £4.5million being lost to scammers.

Dudley Council's scams unit has helped more than 550 people who have been targeted by scammers, mainly residents who are older, lonely and vulnerable.

The multi-million pounds figure is based on the number of people the team has helped so far and its prevention work.

The figure also takes into account long term associated costs as stats show elderly victims are more than twice as likely to die or need extra care and support in the two year period after falling prey to scammers.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and social care, said: "In 2018 we invested £300,000 of improved better care funding to create the scams unit and help the most vulnerable people in our communities from being preyed upon by financial criminals.

"The fact that it has already helped prevent nearly four and a half million pounds being lost to scams, demonstrates that this has been money well spent."

Since launching in 2018 the team has installed 41 call blockers in people’s homes to prevent nuisance calls, visited nearly 400 vulnerable residents and investigated claims of potential scams.

Anyone who is concerned that they or someone they know may have fallen victim to a financial scam should contact the Trading Standards’ scams team on 01384 818871 or via trading.standards@dudley.gov.uk