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Thousands being targeted by TV Licence fraudsters

Published on 27 September 2019 11:00 PM

Charity predicts the number could rise significantly from June 2020 and calls on the next Government to restore free TV licences for over-75s.

 

More older people are likely to be targeted by fraudsters from next June when they have to buy a TV licence, prompting Age UK to issue a warning for older people and their families and friends to be extra vigilant if the rule change comes to pass.

 

With 3.7 million more older households requiring a TV licence from next June following the BBC’s decision to introduce means-testing[i], and assuming the current rate of fraudulent activity and reporting, Age UK is estimating that fraudsters could see a 13 per cent increase in the number of successful scams[ii], and could make off with a further £320,000 from the over-75s alone[iii] resulting in yet more chaos and distress for many of the very oldest in society.

 

Statistics obtained by the Charity show that over the past year alone, there have been almost 18,000 reports of people [of all ages] receiving fraudulent TV licence emails[iv] and hundreds of crime reports in which the victim has lost out financially.[v] Figures from Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, show the average financial loss per victim in 2018/19 was nearly £8,000, with the total reported financial loss coming in at over £2.2 million.[vi] 

 

Added to this, over the past week alone more than 16,000 of those [people of all ages] who signed Age UK’s petition to save free TV licences have told the Charity they have been targeted by fraudsters posing as TV Licensing – the body responsible for collecting the licence fee.[vii] The scammers are typically contacting people by letter, email or text, to say that there’s been a problem with their TV licence fee payment, or that they need to pay up now.

 

Age UK has long-been campaigning for the Government to take back responsibility for funding free TV licences for ALL over-75s. Research for the Charity has shown time and again that large numbers of older people suffering from loneliness, poverty or health and mobility issues will bear the brunt of the decision to scrap free TV licences. For many older people across the UK, the television is their main form of companionship, their only way to stave off chronic loneliness, yet risks being lost to them if they fail to apply for either a licence or an exception.

 

Since its introduction in 2000, the free licence has been a highly valued, universal entitlement for the over-75s.Evidence shows that television is the main form of company for two in every five (38 per cent) people aged 75+ and nine out of 10 in this age group watch TV every day.[viii] It is particularly important for the two million over-75s who live alone – many of whom may well struggle to bear the additional cost of a TV licence on a single income – and the 1.5 million over-75s who are sometimes or often lonely.[ix]

 

With a General Election looking ever more likely, the Charity is also calling on all the political parties to commit to restoring free TV licences for all over-75s if they win the vote. It argues that the benefits to the older generation in terms of alleviating loneliness, providing a precious window to the world and a means to stay informed and entertained, far surpass the benefit to the Government’s coffers.

 

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s Charity Director, said: “Fraudsters are always searching for new opportunities to part us from our cash and it seems that the BBC’s decision to make millions of older people buy a TV licence from next summer could be a bonanza for them.  

 

“Fraud in all its guises is a real risk to older people’s finances and to their wellbeing too, and the reality is that fraudsters are merciless and it’s all too easy to be taken in. As though the prospect of losing their free TV licence wasn’t bad enough for our over-75s, this expected upsurge in fraudulent communications adds insult to injury and will be a further kick in the teeth for anyone unfortunate enough to be caught out.  

 

“Our advice is to be ultra-cautious about any communications you receive linked to TV licences. Of course this problem is only arising because the Government passed responsibility for free licences to the BBC without the money to pay for them, and this enhanced risk of scams is just the latest in the long list of reasons why the Government should stump up the funding to allow TV licences to remain free for all our over-75s.”

 

Age UK has been flooded with calls and emails from people across the country worried about losing their free TV licence, or concerned for others who may be affected, since the BBC made its announcement to means-test TV licences for the over-75s in June. The Charity has also been inundated with support for its #SwitchedOff campaign and its petition, handed in to the new Prime Minister last month, topped 630,000 signatures[x] – demonstrating a huge groundswell of public support for the continuation of free TV licences for all over-75s.

 

Age UK has developed a range of resources which provide practical steps to help older people to protect themselves against being scammed. Older people and their families can find advice on Age UK’s website: www.ageuk.org.uk/scams including links to free, downloadable guides such as Avoiding scams, Staying safe and Internet security. People looking for advice can also call Age UK’s free national advice line all year round on 0800 169 65 65 (lines open 8am – 7pm).

 

The Charity is also urging anyone who thinks they may be entitled to Pension Credit, and therefore eligible for a free TV licence if they are also 75 years and over, to get in touch by calling Age UK’s advice line, visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/money or contacting their local Age UK.



[i] The BBC has estimated that 3.7m aged 75+ will have to purchase a TV licence from June 2020 if the free licence is confined to 75+ receiving pension credit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48583487

[ii] 3.7m more licence fee payers (aged 75+) represents a 13.3 increase in the number of households currently paying the licence (27.8m).

[iii] Age UK’s estimation of £320,000 is based on the latest Action Fraud figures and assuming the same rate of victimisation per household (i.e. without considering whether the older people who would have to pay for the TV licence would be more or less likely to become victims of these scams than those currently targeted) and the same rate of reporting.

[iv] There were 17,758 reports of TV licence fraud emails through Action Fraud’s phishing tool between June 2018 and May 2019.

[v] Action Fraud crime reports relating to TV Licensing phishing the most up to date stats relate to the financial year 2018/19. It should be noted that these stats include only crime reports in which the victim suffered a financial loss. The data is for all ages, it cannot be broken down into age groups.

[vi] 279 crime reports in which the victim lost money as a result of TV Licensing phishing were identified from April 2018 to March 2019. The average financial loss to victims was £7,945 and the total financial loss of all crimes identified was £2,216,704. Source: Action Fraud.

[vii] On 19th Sept 2019, Age UK’s campaigns team emailed over 600,000 people [of all ages] who had signed the Charity’s TV licences petition between Nov 2018 and 1st Aug 2019, to ask if they had been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from TV Licensing. The email outlined the request and method of communication. As of 25th Sept 2019, 16,231 people had confirmed that they had been targeted in this way.

[viii] Kantar TNS polling for Age UK, 2016.

[ix] Age UK analysis of wave 8 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), collected in 2016-17 and released in 2018. Estimates have been scaled up to the England 75+ population using Office for National Statistics mid-year population estimates for 2017, released in June 2018.

[x] The total number of signatures was 634,334 when the petition was closed and handed in to No. 10 Downing Street on Thursday 1st August, 2019.

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Last updated: Jul 18 2024

Notes to editors:

Age UK is a national charity that works with a network of partners, including Age Scotland, Age Cymru, Age NI and local Age UKs across England, to help everyone make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.

In the UK, the Charity helps more than seven million older people each year by providing advice and support.  It also researches and campaigns on the issues that matter most to older people. Its work focuses on ensuring that older people: have enough money; enjoy life and feel well; receive high quality health and care; are comfortable, safe and secure at home; and feel valued and able to participate.

Age UK’s subsidiary charity, Age International, supports older people globally in over 30 developing countries by funding programmes such as vital emergency relief and healthcare and campaigning to raise awareness and change policies.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity)

 

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

For more information

Contact the Age UK Media team on 020 3033 1430 during office hours (Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30) or for out-of-hours media support please email media@ageuk.org.uk

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