Fiona Phillips scammed for thousands after heartbreaking Alzheimer's diagnosis

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Fiona Phillips revealed on Tuesday that she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease last year after suffering months of anxiety, brain fog and forgetfulness.And now, the 62-year-old journalist has revealed she was also recently brutally scammed by a fraudster over the phone, reports the Mirror.The cruel scammer managed to siphon thousands out of her bank account - luckily for Fiona, and husband Martin Frizell - the bank was able to refund the funds.However, this event was another poignant reminder of Fiona’s increased vulnerability for the pair.Recent memories can be difficult for Fiona to remember, but there are other life experiences which sit heavily with her and to which she frequently returns.These include the terrible toll Alzheimer’s has taken on her family and whilst doctors have explained the former TV star's condition is not hereditary, they have said she is predisposed to it due to her family history.In her 50's Fiona's mother, Amy, began to show signs of Alzheimers and sadly died of the disease in 2006, aged 74."This disease has already taken a whole big chunk out of my life", she recalls."My mum got it very badly.

I was living in London then and my parents were in West Wales but every weekend I’d be putting the boys in the back of the car and bombing down in my little car to see Mum." Adding: "She became very scared and would be crying all the time and go out and get lost.

That’s terrible if you get lost and you can’t make yourself known and you are frightened and crying. That happens to a lot of people" Prior to her diagnosis, Fiona was an ambassador for dementia charities, addressed conferences on it, and even presented television documentaries about it."Yes", she says. "It can be very different for