Top Tips

Set out your choices. How do you want your estate - property, money and personal possessions - to be distributed after your death?

53% of 50-64 year olds do not make a will, 22% of over 65s don't. If there is no will (and you die 'intestate'), it is the State who decides, not you.

Older people are often a target of romance fraud. Typical behaviour involves a sustained build-up of trust and emotional attachment – often online or through social media – before requesting money, often with stories of medical emergencies, investment plans or plans for a future together, all of which is false from start to finish.

Be wary of someone not prepared to speak to you directly on camera or face-to-face. They might not be who they say they are.

Don’t lend or give money to someone you have never or only recently met. Confide in a family member or trusted friend before making important decisions about money or property with a ‘new friend’.

The Office for National Statistics has reported (in July 2026) that there were 4.5 million incidents of fraud last year, now the most common form of crime, and an increase of 10% in the number of fraud victims.

Romance fraud is in the top five types of fraud. It is up 30% on the previous year, according to City of London Police figures (as reported in May 2026), with over 10,000 reports of incidents last year. Victims of romance fraud lost more than £102 million last year, with individuals – especially those aged 55-74 – losing an average of £9,500, in some cases with losses up to £1 million.

Write a short history about your life and family. Otherwise some details about yourself and relatives may be lost.

This is for the benefit of your family and heirs. Some day they might appreciate it.