Safe Seniors
Seniors often worry about crime. The truth is, seniors are victims of crime less often than younger people, but the effect of crime on seniors is often more severe. Additionally, seniors are faced daily with the problems of elder abuse, fraud and crimes in convalescent homes.
General Rules
These 3 general rules to promote senior crime prevention are:
We have established a "crime prevention minded" attitude. We have also covered several aspects of everyday life where your safety can be improved. Let your intuition be your guide. Be alert, be safe and enjoy life.
General Rules
These 3 general rules to promote senior crime prevention are:
- Stay Alert. Be tuned-in to your surroundings; don't be taken by surprise. Be aware and prepared, even in your own neighborhood.
- Stand tall and walk confidently. Don't show fear, don't look like a victim.
- Trust you instincts! If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave right away and get help if necessary.
- Don't resist.
- Never pursue your attacker.
- Call the police. Dial 911 in case of an emergency.
- Report any crime! You may have money returned and prevent further theft from yourself and others.
We have established a "crime prevention minded" attitude. We have also covered several aspects of everyday life where your safety can be improved. Let your intuition be your guide. Be alert, be safe and enjoy life.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)
- Go inside your bank.
- Go during daylight hours.
- Choose a busy ATM location.
- Take a friend with you.
- Preplan your transaction.
- Put your money away quickly.
- Don't flash your cash.
- If someone offers to let you go ahead of him or her at the ATM machine, decline and leave.
- If someone approaches your car at the drive through ATM, roll up your window and leave.
- If you begin to feel uncomfortable during a transaction, press cancel, get your card, and leave.
- If possible, arrange for incoming checks to be deposited directly into your bank account.
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse crosses all social, economic and ethnic lines. Any elderly person can become a victim. It is important to become aware of the possibility of elder abuse and recognize signs that might suggest its occurrence. Knowing what to look for and who to contact, if you suspect abuse, will help in correcting the situation. This awareness will enable you to help yourself, friends or family members who may be in trouble.
Fortunately, not all older persons experience this type of treatment. Nevertheless, elder abuse is a frightening and real issue. By being alert to situations that could lead to abuse of an elderly person, you may be able to prevent a serious injury or save a life.
Tips
Elder abuse crosses all social, economic and ethnic lines. Any elderly person can become a victim. It is important to become aware of the possibility of elder abuse and recognize signs that might suggest its occurrence. Knowing what to look for and who to contact, if you suspect abuse, will help in correcting the situation. This awareness will enable you to help yourself, friends or family members who may be in trouble.
Fortunately, not all older persons experience this type of treatment. Nevertheless, elder abuse is a frightening and real issue. By being alert to situations that could lead to abuse of an elderly person, you may be able to prevent a serious injury or save a life.
Tips
- Look for any unusual unexplained bumps, bruises or cuts.
- Look for unusual changes in behavior
- If you don't hear from elderly friends for several days stop by and check on them.
- Be alert of salesmen at elderly friends' homes. If elderly friends tell you about someone inappropriately spending their money, report it to the police.
- Notice if elderly friends' homes are unusually unkempt or filthy. Notice if they begin to look malnourished or if they are not receiving proper medication. If necessary, notify the proper authority.
Fraud & Con Games
If you are offered a deal that sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Most people think they could not be tricked, fooled or conned into handing over money for fraudulent deals. But it happens often. Con artists are experts in human psychology and behavior.
They know how to gain your confidence with smooth talk and a self-assured manner. High-pressure sales are another ploy used by con artists. You can't recognize a con artist by the way someone looks or dresses, but you can be on the alert for con artists and consumer frauds.
Telemarketing
Telemarketing is a common method of stealing from senior citizens. Telephone fraud con artists spend a lot of time polishing their lines for enticing seniors to buy. Here are some tips that can alert you to telemarketing scams:
If you are offered a deal that sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Most people think they could not be tricked, fooled or conned into handing over money for fraudulent deals. But it happens often. Con artists are experts in human psychology and behavior.
They know how to gain your confidence with smooth talk and a self-assured manner. High-pressure sales are another ploy used by con artists. You can't recognize a con artist by the way someone looks or dresses, but you can be on the alert for con artists and consumer frauds.
Telemarketing
Telemarketing is a common method of stealing from senior citizens. Telephone fraud con artists spend a lot of time polishing their lines for enticing seniors to buy. Here are some tips that can alert you to telemarketing scams:
- You must act now!
- You've won a free gift or vacation.
- Pay only the postage and handling.
- You must send money, give a credit card number, a bank account number or have a check picked up by a carrier before you have a chance to carefully consider the offer.
- They tell you that you don't need to research their company with anyone, including a lawyer, accountant, Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection agency.
- They tell you that you don't need written information about their company or references.
- You can't afford to miss this "high profit, no risk" offer.
Home Safety
Con artists count on the reluctance of their victims to acknowledge they have been tricked. Don't delay, report them right away. If you never report the incident, con artists will cheat again and again.
- Never open the door to strangers; always insist on proper identification.
- If someone comes to your door with an emergency (for example, a traffic accident or an injury), don't let them in. Call 911 for them.
- Use deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. Always keep your doors locked. Have a peephole in the door so you can see a caller without opening it.
- Don't rely on security chains as a determined assailant can easily break them.
- Protect windows and other points of entry with good locks or other security devices (such as a length of wooden doweling placed in a track to prevent a window or sliding glass door from opening). Mark and record your personal property.
- When you go out, make your home sound and appear occupied by using an automatic timer to turn on interior lights and a radio. Keep the outside premises well lit at night.
- Do not leave your key under the mat or in a flowerpot. Use outdoor lighting, shrubbery and fencing to help secure your home.
- Consider electronic surveillance systems, alarm systems and/or a dog to enhance your home security. Consult with your Area Senior Lead Officer for personalized home security tips.
Con artists count on the reluctance of their victims to acknowledge they have been tricked. Don't delay, report them right away. If you never report the incident, con artists will cheat again and again.
In Your Car
- Know where you are going and how to get there
- Maintain your vehicle in good working order, with ample gasoline
- Plan your trip and take friends along
- When possible, travel during daylight hours
- Don't enter dark parking lots or deserted garages
- Leave only your ignition key with parking attendant
- Let someone know where you are going and your planned return time
- When driving, lock your doors and windows; lockup when you leave
- If you suspect someone is following you, drive to the nearest public place
- Never pick up hitchhikers
Protect Your Income
- Be sure the person who handles your money can be trusted.
- Take the greatest care when signing any loan contracts.
- Understand completely what you are getting into.
- If you are not totally confident in the transaction, don't sign anything. Wait and talk it over with someone you trust.