When people think about safeguarding adults, they often think of social care, health services or the police. However, one key partner is sometimes overlooked: Trading Standards.
Every day, Trading Standards officers help protect adults from scams, fraud, rogue traders, doorstep crime and financial exploitation. Their work is not only about enforcing consumer law. It is about preventing harm, protecting vulnerable people and helping adults to live safely and independently in their communities.
Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of abuse experienced by adults with care and support needs. It can have devastating consequences, affecting a person’s finances, confidence, mental wellbeing and independence. Criminals often target people who may be isolated, living alone, experiencing poor health, or who have become vulnerable due to changes in their circumstances.
2024/25 Report published
The latest report from the Association of Chief Trading Standards Officers highlights the significant impact Trading Standards services are having across England and Wales. In 2024/25, Trading Standards supported more than 16,500 scam victims and helped save almost £49 million by disrupting scams and preventing money from reaching criminals.
Importantly, their work is not just about recovering money. It is about protecting people from ongoing harm.
The impact of scams
The impact of fraud and scams goes far beyond the financial loss. Victims often experience anxiety, shame, loss of confidence and social isolation. Some become fearful of answering the phone or opening the door. Others may begin to lose trust in people around them. Without intervention, this loss of confidence can affect an individual’s ability to remain independent.
What do Trading Standards do?
Trading Standards play a vital preventative role in helping people stay safe. Through initiatives such as Friends Against Scams, Safe Places schemes, community awareness events and scam prevention campaigns, they help raise awareness and build resilience within local communities. Their work supports people to recognise the signs of fraud and know where to seek help.
The report contains several examples of how Trading Standards and safeguarding partners work together. In Croydon, Trading Standards made referrals to Adult Social Care where residents were experiencing scam-related risks, resulting in additional support measures being put in place. In Buckinghamshire and Surrey, officers worked alongside safeguarding partners during Safeguarding Adults Week, providing advice, installing call blockers and door cameras, and supporting residents at risk of exploitation.
You can read the full report here. The Impacts and Outcomes of Local Trading Standards Services 2024/25 in England and Wales
By continuing to work together, share intelligence and raise awareness, we can strengthen our collective response to financial abuse and ensure that adults at risk receive the support and protection they need.
View all our news