Suffolk fraud officer warns crimes by trusted relatives and carers can go unreported
Suffolk Police say victims can be reluctant to speak out because they feel embarrassed or fear getting someone close to them into trouble
A Suffolk Police fraud officer says crimes committed by people trusted to manage or help with someone's finances can go unreported because victims may be reluctant to speak out.
Lauren Speirs, a fraud protection officer with the force, said victims can feel embarrassed or worry about the consequences of reporting a family member or carer.
It follows new figures showing 50 reports of fraud by abuse of position were recorded in Suffolk during the 2025/26 financial year.
Nationally, £93.8 million in losses were reported to police, with more than £51 million attributed to victims aged 70 and over, according to figures released by the City of London Police.
However, Ms Speirs said under-reporting was an issue across fraud more widely and raising awareness could help police build a more accurate picture of its impact in Suffolk.
She said: “It is a crime of trust and what makes this type of fraud particularly devastating is that it's often committed by someone the victim knows and trusts.”
She added that victims “may feel embarrassed or worried about getting a family member or carer into trouble, which means offences can go unreported”.
‘The responsibility lies with the criminal’
Ms Speirs said the emotional consequences of fraud can extend well beyond the money which has been lost.
Through her work supporting victims, she said she regularly encounters people who feel foolish or ashamed and are reluctant to tell friends or police what has happened.
She said some victims repeatedly question their decisions and blame themselves, which can contribute to isolation or anxiety.
But she stressed that people should not blame themselves for being targeted.
“Anyone can be a victim,” she said. “Fraudsters are professional criminals who use manipulation, pressure and technology to deceive people and absolutely anyone can become a victim.”
She added: “The responsibility lies with the criminal, not the victim whatsoever.”
Ms Speirs said reporting incidents also helps police understand fraud trends, protect other potential victims and disrupt criminal activity.
What does fraud by abuse of position look like?
Fraud by abuse of position involves someone exploiting a position of responsibility or trust to dishonestly benefit themselves or another person.
The national figures identify family members, friends, carers and people entrusted with managing another person's financial affairs among those reported in cases.
Ms Speirs said examples she had encountered while providing victim support included an adult child using an elderly parent's bank card without permission, carers transferring money from a vulnerable person's account and someone with power of attorney spending another person's money on themselves.
She said cases could also involve a trusted friend persuading an older person to hand over their savings.
Nationally, 764 reports during 2025/26 involved the alleged misuse of powers of attorney, with reported losses totalling £34.6 million, according to the City of London Police.
A further 444 reports involved social care workers allegedly abusing their position, with reported losses of £13.3 million.
There are no figures available showing how much money was lost specifically by victims in Suffolk.
Warning signs for families and friends
Ms Speirs said relatives, neighbours, professionals and friends can play an important role in spotting potential financial exploitation, particularly where somebody else is helping a vulnerable person manage their money.
She encouraged people to have regular conversations about finances, check in with older relatives and friends and ensure there is appropriate oversight of financial arrangements.
She also urged people to review financial records and statements and not to dismiss concerns simply because the person suspected is a relative.
Ms Speirs said warning signs can vary considerably, but could include unexplained transfers or purchases.
She also recalled encountering cases where somebody holding power of attorney had redirected another person's correspondence, leaving them unaware of appointments or decisions being made on their behalf.
She said losing that control could have a significant emotional effect, leaving people feeling disempowered, frustrated or embarrassed and “out of the loop with their own life”.
‘Reporting fraud is not about admitting wrongdoing’
Ms Speirs said a lack of reporting was one of the difficulties police face in understanding the scale of fraud.
She said greater awareness of the support available and ways to report incidents could ultimately provide “realistic figures of what is affecting communities across the county”.
Her message to anyone who believes they may have been targeted was not to allow embarrassment to prevent them seeking help.
“We want people to know that they will be listened to, supported and treated with respect,” she said.
“Reporting fraud is not about admitting any wrongdoing. It's about stopping criminals and protecting others.”
Anyone who believes they has been a victim of fraud should contact their bank or card provider as soon as possible and report the incident to Report Fraud. Concerns about the misuse of a power of attorney can also be raised with the Office of the Public Guardian.