Beware, elderly told

POLICE are warning the elderly in the City of Greater Dandenong to be aware of people preying on the vulnerable.
The warning comes after a 72-year-old man from Frankston South tried to swindle more than $15,000 from an 89-year-old Springvale man who has dementia.
Detective Senior Constable Tony Meyers said the Frankston South man completed minor maintenance on the 89-year-old’s premises and charged him money for his services.
The Frankston South man returned 10 times in four months, and kept asking payment for work already completed.
Police say he obtained $10,000 and tried to get about $5000 more.
A 72-year-old man from Frankston South was charged with obtaining property by deception and has been bailed to appear in Dandenong Magistrate s’ Court on 2 February next year.
Det Sen Const Meyers urged the elderly and their families to be cautious in similar situations.
“We just want the elderly to be aware of these incidents in case someone approaches them at their premises and asks to do work on their house – they may have an ulterior motive,” he said.
Det Sen Const Meyers said if family had access to the bank details of elderly family members with dementia or a similar condition, to be mindful of any discrepancies in the account.
“If they identify any concerns, they should make some inquiries with the bank and if there seems to be an offence they should speak to police,” he said.