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Seniors
CHAPTER Seniors
12
12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4
OVERVIEW..................................................................................... 126 GENERAL TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR SAFETY ........................... 126 AT HOME....................................................................................... 127 WHEN YOU ARE WALKING, RUNNING ERRANDS, OR GOING OUT................................................................................... 129 12.5 PROTECTING YOUR MONEY AND FINANCIAL SECURITY ...................................................................................... 130
12.1 OVERVIEW Senior citizens have the right to live with dignity and to be as safe and secure as possible—personally, physically, and financially. Security for seniors involves the basic issues of • understanding the fundamental ways to improve safety; • increasing security at home; • increasing security when walking, running errands, or going out for entertainment; and • protecting money and financial security.
12.2 GENERAL TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR SAFETY Older individuals are particularly vulnerable to con games, purse snatchers, and pickpockets. Even minor crimes can cause physical, emotional, and financial distress. Fear of crime can make a senior person feel helpless and lead to isolation. A general decrease in the quality of life is often the outcome of being afraid of becoming a crime victim. As a senior, you can take proactive steps to increase your safety and security and to remain in control of your life. • Use common sense when you go out. Stay alert to your surroundings. Go out with friends or relatives. • Do not carry large amounts of cash. Carry your purse in front of you, or carry your wallet in a front or inside pocket.
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• Use direct deposit for any regularly repeating checks (for example, Social Security checks or pension checks). • Install good locks on your windows and doors. Use the locks, even when you are only going out for a short time. • Do not allow service or delivery people in without identification and an appointment. Call the company to verify that the person is a legitimate employee. • Do not be taken in by investment schemes, security system schemes, sweepstakes, miracle cures, free check-ups or home inspections, or any other opportunity that sounds too good to be true. Things that sound too good to be true are always too risky for your involvement. • Never sign anything with which you are not completely comfortable. Do not be rushed into any kind of an agreement. Take the information or contract to a person you trust. • If you drive, lock your doors and roll up your windows. Never leave the keys in the car. • If you ride public transportation, sit close to the driver or the exit. • Get involved in your Neighborhood Watch program. Report any suspicious activity and any criminal activity. • Volunteer to improve your community’s well-being by working as a tutor, a block organizer, or as an office aide for the police department, the fire department, or a social service agency.
12.3 AT HOME The best way to improve security at home is to make it difficult for intruders to get into your house. To increase your security at home, follow the guidelines below: • • • • • •
Equip your doors with easy-to-obtain security features. Open and lock exterior doors carefully. Work with your neighbors to increase everyone’s security. Know how to use your phone. Know what to do if you are awakened by an intruder. Do not keep large amounts of cash at home. Keep your money in a bank or a safe deposit box.
12.3.1 Equip Your Doors with Easy-to-Obtain Security Features Equip your door with a dead bolt lock. Select a lock that has a cylinder that is protected by a guard plate. Install a viewer or peephole in
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each of the entrances. Select a viewer of the wide-angle type, which gives you a more complete view of the area outside your door. See Chapter 9: Locks and Alarms for more information.
12.3.2 Open and Lock Exterior Doors Carefully Do not open an exterior door until you are sure of the identity of the visitor(s). Always lock the door when you leave, even if you are just going out to pick up the mail, walk a pet, or take out the trash. If, upon your return, you find that the door is open or it looks like it has been tampered with, do not enter. Leave immediately and notify the police. If you lose your keys or if they are stolen, immediately replace your locks. Do not leave a key under the mat, in the mailbox, in an area near the door, or anywhere outside.
12.3.3 Work with Your Neighbors to Increase Everyone’s Security When you go away, even if it is only for one night, ask a neighbor you trust to pick up your mail and newspapers. Offer to do the same for them. If you are going away for a longer period of time, ask a trusted neighbor to check your place each day that you are gone. Have your mail held at your local post office so that deliveries do not accumulate.
12.3.4 Know How to Use Your Phone When you answer the phone, do not volunteer information to any caller you do not know personally. If you have voicemail or an answering machine, do not provide your name or phone number on the outgoing message. If you don’t have an answering machine, consider using one. An answering machine lets you monitor your incoming phone calls without answering the phone. Potential intruders often try to find out if someone is home before they attempt a break-in.
12.3.5 Know What to Do if You are Awakened by an Intruder If you are awakened by an intruder, do not take any action unless you absolutely have to. Stay perfectly still, and try to stay calm. Call the police at the first safe opportunity.
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12.4 WHEN YOU ARE WALKING, RUNNING ERRANDS, OR GOING OUT The best defense against street crime is to stay alert and use common sense. Be aware of your surroundings, wherever you are. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave quickly. When you go out, whether it is for a walk or other exercise, to run an errand, or for entertainment, following a few rules can improve your security dramatically.
12.4.1 If Possible, Do Not Go Out Alone Use the buddy system whenever possible. There is safety in numbers. Travel and shop with companions whenever possible. Try to transact your business during daylight hours. When you go out in the evening, do not go out alone. Stay alert to the possibility that someone may attempt to follow you home.
12.4.2 Know How to Carry Your Purse, Your Wallet, and Other Valuables Avoid carrying a purse or briefcase, if possible. It is easier for a thief to grab a larger object than to take a wallet. If you do need to carry a purse, use a shoulder strap and keep one hand under the purse. Keep your keys, cash, and credit cards in your pockets or somewhere else on your person. Avoid carrying large sums of money. If your purse, pocketbook, or wallet is snatched, let it go. If you fight for it, you may suffer a serious injury.
12.4.3 Carrying Weapons If you carry a weapon, know how to use the available features. Be aware of the fact that weapons are often turned against the victim by the attacker. In addition, carrying a concealed weapon is illegal in most situations.
12.4.4 Walk and Drive Safely Whether walking or driving, always use streets that are well-traveled and well-lit at night. When you are walking, adhere to the following safety guidelines: • Wait for a new green light or walk signal before starting to cross the street.
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• Wait to cross a street until you can cross with other pedestrians. • Be particularly alert for turning cars. Watch the driver’s eyes before you cross in front of a turning car or a car that seems to be waiting for you. • Check for traffic before stepping into a cross walk, even if you are crossing with the green light or walk signal. • Be decisive when you cross a street. Do not stop in the middle to decide whether to turn back or go ahead. • Never run across the street. • Wear reflective clothing at night or carry a light to help drivers see you. • Always cross at an intersection. If traffic is heavy, cross at a stop light, even if it means adding distance to your walk. If you drive, follow these safety measures: • • • • •
Keep your car in good working order. Keep your gas tank filled at least one-quarter. Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up. Park in well-lit places. Always check the front and back seats before you get into the car.
See Chapter 8: Automobiles for more information on being secure when you are driving.
12.4.5 Know What to Do if You Are Ever Attacked If you are being robbed, do not fight back. Give the thief what he or she wants. Try to focus on what the thief looks like, so that you can provide police with a description of height, weight, clothing, and any other identifying information. After an attack, notify the police as soon as you can and give them as much information as possible.
12.5 PROTECTING YOUR MONEY AND FINANCIAL SECURITY Con artists prey on everyone, but senior citizens are especially vulnerable. Be suspicious of any proposal for home repairs, insurance, or investments that sound too good to be true. Never provide anyone with cash unless you have an enforceable guarantee. Be extremely cautious of any arrangement that has to be kept secret.
12.5.1 Protect Your Money If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You should never give money, especially cash, to a stranger, and you only buy from
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legitimate, established companies. Most criminals attempt to sell unknown products or services by claiming to represent a company that you have never heard of. Use a check, rather than a credit card or cash, when you make purchases. Although buying with a credit card is usually safe, criminals sometimes are successful at using your credit card number without your knowledge. If someone demands cash for a purchase, you can almost be assured that the seller is a criminal or engaged in illegal activities. If you are suspicious about a person trying to sell you something, do not make the purchase. Report the incident to the police.
12.5.2 Be Alert to Scams and Frauds Thieves are more likely to target you if you receive regular checks, such as dividends, Social Security, pension, government assistance, or retirement payments. Some of the ways to avoid scams and frauds include the following: • If possible, have your checks deposited electronically and automatically at your bank. This eliminates the regular arrival of checks in your mail. • Use checks, not cash, when you make purchases. • Use cashier’s checks when you need to make large purchases. • Do not give out your credit card numbers to unknown callers, or to anyone who offers a one-time-only deal. • Investigate a company thoroughly before you do business with them. • Watch out for phony sweepstakes, drawings, contests, prizes, and anything else that is aimed at getting your money before you can thoroughly check out the company. • Call the Better Business Bureau, or even the police, before doing business with companies that make exaggerated or too-good-to-betrue offers.
12.5.3 Anti-Fraud Tips • Do not give your credit card numbers or checking account information over the telephone unless you know exactly with whom you are dealing. • Be skeptical of any company that will not give its name, address, phone number, and references.
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Personal Safety and Security Playbook
• Thoroughly check out any company that you are thinking of doing business with at the Better Business Bureau, the State Attorney General’s Office, or your local consumer protection agency. • Report fraud to your local Better Business Bureau and to state and local law enforcement agencies. • The areas in which fraudulent sales are most often attempted when concerning seniors are: medical and health; house, roof, and driveway repairs; tree and yard services; investment clubs; and vacation homes.
12
12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4
OVERVIEW..................................................................................... 126 GENERAL TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR SAFETY ........................... 126 AT HOME....................................................................................... 127 WHEN YOU ARE WALKING, RUNNING ERRANDS, OR GOING OUT................................................................................... 129 12.5 PROTECTING YOUR MONEY AND FINANCIAL SECURITY ...................................................................................... 130
12.1 OVERVIEW Senior citizens have the right to live with dignity and to be as safe and secure as possible—personally, physically, and financially. Security for seniors involves the basic issues of • understanding the fundamental ways to improve safety; • increasing security at home; • increasing security when walking, running errands, or going out for entertainment; and • protecting money and financial security.
12.2 GENERAL TIPS TO INCREASE YOUR SAFETY Older individuals are particularly vulnerable to con games, purse snatchers, and pickpockets. Even minor crimes can cause physical, emotional, and financial distress. Fear of crime can make a senior person feel helpless and lead to isolation. A general decrease in the quality of life is often the outcome of being afraid of becoming a crime victim. As a senior, you can take proactive steps to increase your safety and security and to remain in control of your life. • Use common sense when you go out. Stay alert to your surroundings. Go out with friends or relatives. • Do not carry large amounts of cash. Carry your purse in front of you, or carry your wallet in a front or inside pocket.
Seniors
127
• Use direct deposit for any regularly repeating checks (for example, Social Security checks or pension checks). • Install good locks on your windows and doors. Use the locks, even when you are only going out for a short time. • Do not allow service or delivery people in without identification and an appointment. Call the company to verify that the person is a legitimate employee. • Do not be taken in by investment schemes, security system schemes, sweepstakes, miracle cures, free check-ups or home inspections, or any other opportunity that sounds too good to be true. Things that sound too good to be true are always too risky for your involvement. • Never sign anything with which you are not completely comfortable. Do not be rushed into any kind of an agreement. Take the information or contract to a person you trust. • If you drive, lock your doors and roll up your windows. Never leave the keys in the car. • If you ride public transportation, sit close to the driver or the exit. • Get involved in your Neighborhood Watch program. Report any suspicious activity and any criminal activity. • Volunteer to improve your community’s well-being by working as a tutor, a block organizer, or as an office aide for the police department, the fire department, or a social service agency.
12.3 AT HOME The best way to improve security at home is to make it difficult for intruders to get into your house. To increase your security at home, follow the guidelines below: • • • • • •
Equip your doors with easy-to-obtain security features. Open and lock exterior doors carefully. Work with your neighbors to increase everyone’s security. Know how to use your phone. Know what to do if you are awakened by an intruder. Do not keep large amounts of cash at home. Keep your money in a bank or a safe deposit box.
12.3.1 Equip Your Doors with Easy-to-Obtain Security Features Equip your door with a dead bolt lock. Select a lock that has a cylinder that is protected by a guard plate. Install a viewer or peephole in
128
Personal Safety and Security Playbook
each of the entrances. Select a viewer of the wide-angle type, which gives you a more complete view of the area outside your door. See Chapter 9: Locks and Alarms for more information.
12.3.2 Open and Lock Exterior Doors Carefully Do not open an exterior door until you are sure of the identity of the visitor(s). Always lock the door when you leave, even if you are just going out to pick up the mail, walk a pet, or take out the trash. If, upon your return, you find that the door is open or it looks like it has been tampered with, do not enter. Leave immediately and notify the police. If you lose your keys or if they are stolen, immediately replace your locks. Do not leave a key under the mat, in the mailbox, in an area near the door, or anywhere outside.
12.3.3 Work with Your Neighbors to Increase Everyone’s Security When you go away, even if it is only for one night, ask a neighbor you trust to pick up your mail and newspapers. Offer to do the same for them. If you are going away for a longer period of time, ask a trusted neighbor to check your place each day that you are gone. Have your mail held at your local post office so that deliveries do not accumulate.
12.3.4 Know How to Use Your Phone When you answer the phone, do not volunteer information to any caller you do not know personally. If you have voicemail or an answering machine, do not provide your name or phone number on the outgoing message. If you don’t have an answering machine, consider using one. An answering machine lets you monitor your incoming phone calls without answering the phone. Potential intruders often try to find out if someone is home before they attempt a break-in.
12.3.5 Know What to Do if You are Awakened by an Intruder If you are awakened by an intruder, do not take any action unless you absolutely have to. Stay perfectly still, and try to stay calm. Call the police at the first safe opportunity.
Seniors
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12.4 WHEN YOU ARE WALKING, RUNNING ERRANDS, OR GOING OUT The best defense against street crime is to stay alert and use common sense. Be aware of your surroundings, wherever you are. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a place or situation, leave quickly. When you go out, whether it is for a walk or other exercise, to run an errand, or for entertainment, following a few rules can improve your security dramatically.
12.4.1 If Possible, Do Not Go Out Alone Use the buddy system whenever possible. There is safety in numbers. Travel and shop with companions whenever possible. Try to transact your business during daylight hours. When you go out in the evening, do not go out alone. Stay alert to the possibility that someone may attempt to follow you home.
12.4.2 Know How to Carry Your Purse, Your Wallet, and Other Valuables Avoid carrying a purse or briefcase, if possible. It is easier for a thief to grab a larger object than to take a wallet. If you do need to carry a purse, use a shoulder strap and keep one hand under the purse. Keep your keys, cash, and credit cards in your pockets or somewhere else on your person. Avoid carrying large sums of money. If your purse, pocketbook, or wallet is snatched, let it go. If you fight for it, you may suffer a serious injury.
12.4.3 Carrying Weapons If you carry a weapon, know how to use the available features. Be aware of the fact that weapons are often turned against the victim by the attacker. In addition, carrying a concealed weapon is illegal in most situations.
12.4.4 Walk and Drive Safely Whether walking or driving, always use streets that are well-traveled and well-lit at night. When you are walking, adhere to the following safety guidelines: • Wait for a new green light or walk signal before starting to cross the street.
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Personal Safety and Security Playbook
• Wait to cross a street until you can cross with other pedestrians. • Be particularly alert for turning cars. Watch the driver’s eyes before you cross in front of a turning car or a car that seems to be waiting for you. • Check for traffic before stepping into a cross walk, even if you are crossing with the green light or walk signal. • Be decisive when you cross a street. Do not stop in the middle to decide whether to turn back or go ahead. • Never run across the street. • Wear reflective clothing at night or carry a light to help drivers see you. • Always cross at an intersection. If traffic is heavy, cross at a stop light, even if it means adding distance to your walk. If you drive, follow these safety measures: • • • • •
Keep your car in good working order. Keep your gas tank filled at least one-quarter. Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up. Park in well-lit places. Always check the front and back seats before you get into the car.
See Chapter 8: Automobiles for more information on being secure when you are driving.
12.4.5 Know What to Do if You Are Ever Attacked If you are being robbed, do not fight back. Give the thief what he or she wants. Try to focus on what the thief looks like, so that you can provide police with a description of height, weight, clothing, and any other identifying information. After an attack, notify the police as soon as you can and give them as much information as possible.
12.5 PROTECTING YOUR MONEY AND FINANCIAL SECURITY Con artists prey on everyone, but senior citizens are especially vulnerable. Be suspicious of any proposal for home repairs, insurance, or investments that sound too good to be true. Never provide anyone with cash unless you have an enforceable guarantee. Be extremely cautious of any arrangement that has to be kept secret.
12.5.1 Protect Your Money If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You should never give money, especially cash, to a stranger, and you only buy from
Seniors
131
legitimate, established companies. Most criminals attempt to sell unknown products or services by claiming to represent a company that you have never heard of. Use a check, rather than a credit card or cash, when you make purchases. Although buying with a credit card is usually safe, criminals sometimes are successful at using your credit card number without your knowledge. If someone demands cash for a purchase, you can almost be assured that the seller is a criminal or engaged in illegal activities. If you are suspicious about a person trying to sell you something, do not make the purchase. Report the incident to the police.
12.5.2 Be Alert to Scams and Frauds Thieves are more likely to target you if you receive regular checks, such as dividends, Social Security, pension, government assistance, or retirement payments. Some of the ways to avoid scams and frauds include the following: • If possible, have your checks deposited electronically and automatically at your bank. This eliminates the regular arrival of checks in your mail. • Use checks, not cash, when you make purchases. • Use cashier’s checks when you need to make large purchases. • Do not give out your credit card numbers to unknown callers, or to anyone who offers a one-time-only deal. • Investigate a company thoroughly before you do business with them. • Watch out for phony sweepstakes, drawings, contests, prizes, and anything else that is aimed at getting your money before you can thoroughly check out the company. • Call the Better Business Bureau, or even the police, before doing business with companies that make exaggerated or too-good-to-betrue offers.
12.5.3 Anti-Fraud Tips • Do not give your credit card numbers or checking account information over the telephone unless you know exactly with whom you are dealing. • Be skeptical of any company that will not give its name, address, phone number, and references.
132
Personal Safety and Security Playbook
• Thoroughly check out any company that you are thinking of doing business with at the Better Business Bureau, the State Attorney General’s Office, or your local consumer protection agency. • Report fraud to your local Better Business Bureau and to state and local law enforcement agencies. • The areas in which fraudulent sales are most often attempted when concerning seniors are: medical and health; house, roof, and driveway repairs; tree and yard services; investment clubs; and vacation homes.