Mar Vista Community Forum

PREVENTING CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS

July Safety Tips from the LAPD

By the year 2020, senior citizens will comprise approximately 16 percent of
California’s population. Although statistically seniors are victims of
crime less often than younger members of society, once victimized the
effects are far more devastating. Seniors are often victims of fraud, con
artists, and elder abuse. Telemarketing is a common method of defrauding
the elderly. Con artists frequently use the telephone to entice seniors
into various schemes that are designed to swindle seniors out of their
money. By being alert, seniors can greatly reduce the likelihood of being
victimized.

To further lessen the chances of seniors becoming victims, the following
objectives should be stressed:

* Stay alert and remain tuned-in to your surroundings. Be aware,
prepared, and walk confidently. You do not want to look like a potential
victim. Also, trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a
location, leave immediately.

* Never open your door for strangers and always insist on seeing proper
identification. If someone comes to your home and asks to use your phone
to call 911, don’t let them in. Instead, make them wait outside while you
make the call for them.

* Secure your home by always using deadbolt locks on all exterior doors,
having a peephole in your front door, and not leaving a key outside under a
door mat or in a flowerpot. Consider the use of exterior lighting and
fencing to help make your home more secure.

* Most successful frauds and con games are old schemes with new twists.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some tips that alert you
to possible telemarketing scams are phrases such as: “Act now!” “You’ve
won a free gift,” and “High profit, no risk!” Also, do not give your
credit card number to telemarketing agents who call you.

The Senior Crime Prevention Circular has attempted to establish a crime
prevention minded attitude for seniors. It also covers several aspects of
everyday life, where safety can be improved. For additional information or
to obtain a copy of crime prevention circulars, contact the Crime
Prevention Unit, at (213) 485-3134, or visit our Web site at
www.lapdonline.org and open the “Crime Prevention Tips” icon.