Protection for Senior Citizens

WORKING TOGETHER TO PREVENT CRIME
Criminals often regard older persons as easy targets for many kinds of crimes. Every elderly person should be aware of these crimes and how to prevent them.

CON GAMES AND SWEET TALK CRIMES
Pigeon drop
This scheme accounts for more than half of the confidence games reported to police. The swindlers claim to have found a large sum of money and offer to share it with you. You are asked to withdraw "good faith" money from your bank. The swindlers take the "good faith" money and give you a phoney address where you are to collect your share of the money. You never see them again.
Bank examiner
A phoney bank examiner contacts you and asks for your help in catching a dishonest bank employee. He asks you to withdraw a specified amount of cash from your account so that he may check the serial numbers. After turning over your money to the examiner, you never hear from him again.
Door-to-door sales
Many door-to-door sales are not legitimate. Provincial laws protect you against quick sales at your door. Enquire and be sure.

MAIL FRAUD SCHEMES
Consumer frauds
Beware of contests which require you to put up money to win, even if there is a guarantee that you will be a winner.
Home improvement offers
Beware of tempting home improvement offers, made through the mail or on-the-spot. These offers are a popular type of swindle.
Chain referral schemes
These schemes offer a commission for buying one item and selling additional ones to friends. The products are usually over-priced and difficult to sell.
Retirement estates
Any retirement estates offered at conspicuously low prices to "lucky" individuals are usually fraudulent and should be avoided.
Business opportunities
Business opportunities and work-at-home schemes which promise high profits after a substantial investment or registration fee are often fraudulent.
Medical frauds
Fake laboratory tests, miracle cures, and mail order clinics, etc. are other ways schemed to defraud you. Legitimate doctors and hospitals do not advertise through the mail.

FOR YOUR PROTECTION

Do not rush into something involving your money or property.
Beware of something-for-nothing or get-rich-quick schemes.
Never sign a contract until you and your lawyer, banker or other expert has thoroughly read it.
Never turn over large sums of cash to anyone, especially a stranger, no matter how promising the deal looks.
Do not hesitate to check their credentials of a salesman or public official.
Report all suspicious offers to the police immediately, before the swindler leaves town in search of other victims.
Arrange for incoming cheques to be sent directly to your bank.

OTHER CRIME PREVENTION TIPS
At home

Join Operation Identification.
Install good locks and always use them.
Don't leave tell-tale signs that you are away.
Never open your door to a stranger without credentials. Install a wide-angle door viewer which permits you to see callers before you open the door.

On the street

Walk only in well-lit areas.
Do not burden yourself with packages and a bulky purse.
Never display large sums of money in public.
Walk near the curb and away from alleys and doorways.

In your car

Always lock your car after entering and whenever leaving it.
If you have car trouble, raise the hood, lock yourself in and wait for the police. If a stranger stops to offer help, do not get out of your car. Ask the stranger to call a service truck for you.
If you suspect someone is following you, drive to the nearest public place (gas station, all-night restaurant) and blow your horn.

Contact your police for more information on this or any other crime prevention topic.