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Staying safe: safeguarding, reporting abuse and spotting scams

In short: If someone is in danger call 999. Report adult abuse to the council safeguarding team. For bank scams call 159. Report fraud to Action Fraud (Report Fraud) on 0300 123 2040.
Older person and a relative sitting at a kitchen table looking at a letter together.

In short

  1. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
  2. To report abuse or neglect of an adult at risk, contact the local council adult safeguarding team. You can also talk to the police if a crime may have happened.
  3. For bank or card fraud, call your bank on 159. Report fraud and cybercrime to Action Fraud (Report Fraud) on 0300 123 2040 or online.

Urgent? Danger now — call 999. This page is information only. It cannot investigate abuse or stop a scam for you — use the official numbers below.

Everyone has the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect (NHS: abuse and neglect of adults at risk). This guide is for England.

What abuse can look like

Abuse can happen at home, in a care home, in hospital or in public. The person causing harm is often someone in a position of trust. Types include:

Signs can include unexplained bruises, becoming withdrawn, looking unkempt, sudden money problems, or not wanting to be left with certain people.

How to report abuse (safeguarding adults)

  1. Call 999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in immediate danger (GOV.UK: report abuse of an older person).
  2. Contact the council. Ask for the adult safeguarding team or adult social care. Use our postcode tool or find your local council.
  3. Care homes and home carers: report concerns to the council. You can also tell the Care Quality Commission (CQC) about services it regulates.
  4. NHS hospital or clinic: contact the hospital or clinic manager, and consider the NHS complaints process.
  5. Police: contact the local police if you think a crime has been committed (101 if it is not an emergency).

You can raise a concern even if you are not sure. You do not have to investigate it yourself. Older people can also call the free Hourglass (Safer Ageing) helpline on 0808 808 8141.

Scams aimed at older people

Scammers may use phone calls, texts, email, social media or the doorstep. Common tricks include fake bank or courier messages, romance scams, and bogus traders. Age UK has a plain guide to avoiding scams.

If you think you have been scammed

  1. Call your bank on 159 (or the number on the back of your card) straight away so they can freeze cards and accounts. Age UK and banks promote 159 as the central number to reach your bank about fraud.
  2. Report the fraud to Action Fraud / Report Fraud online, or call 0300 123 2040 (England and Wales; phone lines have set hours — online reporting is available any time).
  3. Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (free) (GOV.UK: report phishing).
  4. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Examples

Example Care home concern. A relative noticed unexplained bruises and a change in mood. They called the council safeguarding team the same day. They also told the care home manager.
Example Bank scam call. Someone phoned claiming to be the bank and asked for a transfer. The person hung up, called 159 from another phone, and reported it to Action Fraud.

These are made-up examples. They are not real people. Every case is different.

Free help

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Information only. This is about England. It is not legal advice. Always use official numbers if you are worried about safety or fraud.

Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.

Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.

Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 29 October 2026.