Crime and Senior Citizens

While crimes committed against senior citizens are not as common as crimes committed against young adults and teenagers, it is still considered a serious issue. For example, senior citizens tend to be victims of theft and repair scams by people who they do not know. Also, senior citizens are in greater danger of being seriously hurt during a crime. Although instances of crime are relatively rare, it is important to keep some important safety guidelines in mind to prevent becoming a victim, and those involved in providing elder care for senior citizens should inform them of these guidelines.

Tips to Keep Safe

Be sure that all doors, locks, and windows are strong and cannot be broken. Some people use alarm systems.
Be sure to keep all doors and windows locked especially when out of the house.
Make a list of your most valuable belongings, with pictures if desired, and keep track of this list by keeping it in a safe place.
Ask the local police department to mark your valuable property with an I.D. number.
When you do not know people at your door, check through a peephole or ask for identity before opening the door.
Do not keep large amounts of money in the house
Know who your neighbors are or join a Neighborhood Watch Program
Stay alert in public places and stay away from dark places with very few people round.
Keep your car doors locked when driving
Do not open your car door or roll down your windows for strangers.
Park in well-lit parking areas.
Carry your purse close to your body when walking outdoors with the strap over the shoulder and across the chest.
If you are in the process of being robbed, do not resist and hand over belongings to avoid getting hurt.
Avoid a regular banking routine that involved transporting money on the same day of the week during the same times. Note, social security checks and pension can be directly deposited into your bank account.
Never carry large amounts of cash on your person, and put credit cards or wallets within inside pockets.
Do not keep credit cards and checkbooks together so as to prevent signature forging if the two are stolen together.

Avoiding Cons

Senior citizens can be taken advantage of through telephone, internet, insurance, or home repair scams. Sometimes they are taken advantage of by people they know and think they can trust. Here are some tips for avoiding possible cons:

Do not feel hesitant to hang up on telemarketers to protect yourself from possible bullying, suggestiveness, or false information.
Never give personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, or bank account numbers over the phone.
Do not take money out of your account when instructed to by a stranger. A common scam involves strangers pretending to be bank tellers and asking people to take money out of their accounts. Banks never use these methods for testing purposes.
Be cautious of deals that sound too good to be true or involve presenting large amounts of money up front with promises of receiving money later. Checking with your local Better Business Bureau can give you more information about real companies in your area.
Be cautious of people going door to door and offering home repair services. They may not be properly trained and can overcharge for services. If you employ someone for this kind of work, check references, get an agreement in writing for the services, and never pay in advance.

Avoiding Identity Theft

Another form of crime committed against senior citizens is identity theft. This is when someone steals personal information like credit card numbers and social security numbers. Here are some tips to avoid identity theft:

Keep checking account information private, keep cancelled checks in a safe place, report stolen checks, and verify charges on your monthly bank account statement.
Shred personal information before discarding.
Be careful about making purchases online – check that the server is secure.
Check with the Federal Trade Commission to learn about more tips for protecting yourself against identity theft and fraud.

Avoiding Elder Abuse

Some senior citizens are victims of something called elder abuse. This can involve physical or emotional harm, financial loss, sexual abuse, and neglect. If you think that you or a loved one is the target of abuse, keep the following guidelines in mind:

Reporting abuse to appropriate authorities is a legal and moral responsibility in most States.
You can contact State Adult Protective Service programs for help.
If you have been attacked or hurt, see a doctor as soon as possible even if there are no visible marks.
Lawyers may be able to assist harmed individuals.