Adult Safeguarding Day 2024 Friday November 8th

ADULT SAFEGUARDING DAY is the major annual public awareness drive of safeguarding Ireland which takes place on the second Friday of each November (Nov 8th in 2024).

It is an initiative of Safeguarding Ireland, and supported by the HSE, and will be in its fourth year in 2024. It is coordinated in partnership with organisations across the health, social, financial and justice sectors.

The aim on Friday November 8th is to raise a greater understanding of adult abuse and safeguarding. The emphasis in the 2024 is on Financial Abuse, particularly the form where the abuser is known to the person.

Summary – prevent Financial Abuse

• Keep in control of your money, property and social welfare benefits as much as possible
• Avoid sharing your bank card and pin number, account number, or access to online banking
• If you need help – first ask for advice from your bank, An Post or Credit Union
• If you must get help with day to day spending, choose only a person you really trust and limit their access
• Ask the person for receipts and get monthly account statements
• Plan for the future by making an Enduring Power of Attorney.

READ or Download the Booklet Here

About Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is a serious form of abuse and is particularly common among older people.

While the majority of people are honest, it has been estimated internationally that one in ten people are dishonest in how they manage another person’s money, or property.

Surprisingly, a significant amount of financial abuse is carried out by people known to the person.

This can involve people we know well – a family member, carer, neighbour, worker, or social welfare Agent doing the following:

• Keeping change, or taking cash that is around the house
• Misusing a bank card, or online banking
• Being dishonest about social welfare payments
• Using property or possessions without agreement or permission
• Threatening withdrawal of care unless a person complies with money or property demands
• Pressurising to change a Will, property deeds, or Enduring Power of Attorney.

 It could be that the person committing the abuse has themselves a money difficulty, gambling problem, or addiction.

To keep safe from this abuse – there is a need to plan how we will manage our money in the future, particularly if we are likely to face challenges with capacity.

There is also a risk of online financial fraud and scams, but this campaign is focused on the form of financial abuse when the abuser is known to us.

Who to Contact about Financial Abuse

If you are suffering financial abuse, or you have a concern about someone, report it:

• If there is a serious and immediate danger, call the Gardaí at 999 or 112

• If financial abuse is ongoing, report it urgently to the local Garda station (directory at www.garda.ie), or call the confidential line at 1800 666 111
• If you notice unexplained changes in spending – contact your bank, An Post, or your branch of the Credit Union
• For an ongoing financial safeguarding issue contact your regional HSE Safeguarding Team. Email socialcare@hse.ie, or see www.hse.ie/safeguarding.

Contact your Financial Provider

• Mallow Credit Union – 022 21121
• AIB – 0818 227 056
• Bank of Ireland – 1800 946 146
• PTSB – 0818 818 721
• An Post – 01 705 8000
• Dept. of Social Protection (social welfare payments) – 071 919 3259

Get Independent Advice

• Money Advice and Budgeting Service – mabs.ie / 0818 07 2000

• National Advocacy Service – www.advocacy.ie / 0818 07 3000
• Sage Advocacy – www.sageadvocacy.ie / 01 536 7330

Plan Ahead

• Make an Enduring Power of Attorney – talk with your trusted person and Solicitor

• Decision Support Service – www.decisionsupportservice.ie / or 01 211 9750.

For more information visit https://safeguardingireland.org/adult-safeguarding-day/

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