Older people are at risk of being victims of fraud, like con games and insurance, home repair, telephone, or internet scams. Even trusted friends or family members have been known to steal an older person’s money or property. The following tips may help:

Don’t be afraid to hang up on telephone salespeople. You aren’t being impolite. You are taking care of yourself! Remember, you can say no to any offer. 

Don’t give any personal information, including your credit card number or bank account, over the phone unless you were the one who made the call. 

Don’t take money from your bank account if a stranger tells you to. In one common swindle, a thief pretends to be a bank employee and asks you to take out money to ìtestî a bank teller. Banks do not check their employees this way. 

Don’t be fooled by deals that seem too good to be true. They are often rip-offs. Beware of deals that ask for a lot of money up front and promise you more money later. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to get more information about the record of any company before doing business with them. 

Do be on guard about hiring people who come door-to-door looking for home repair work. They may not be trained to do the work, and they may overcharge you. You should try to check their references. Always spell out the details of the work you want done in writing. Never pay for the whole job in advance. 

Avoid Identity Theft

How can someone steal your identity? Using your name, Social Security number, or credit card without your okay is called identity theft and itís a serious crime. Be sure to protect yourself:

Do keep information about your checking account private. Put all new and cancelled checks in a safe place, report any stolen checks right away, and carefully look at your monthly bank account statement. 

Do shred everything that has personal information about you written on it. 

Do be very careful when buying things online. Websites without security may not protect your credit card or bank account information. Look for information saying that a website has a secure server before buying anything online. 

Do check with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to find out how to protect yourself from common online scams that can trick you into revealing your personal or financial information.

Tips to avoid being victims of crime

Older people and their families also worry about crime. Though older people are less likely to be victims of crime than teenagers and young adults, the number of crimes against older people is hard to ignore. Older people are often targets for robbery, purse snatching, pick-pocketing, car theft, or home repair scams. They are more likely than younger people to face attackers who are strangers. During a crime, an older person is more likely to be seriously hurt than someone who is younger.

Even though there are risks, however, don’t let the fear of crime stop you from enjoying life.

You do need to be careful and aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar area.

Here are some do’s and don’ts that can help you fight crime and stay safe.

Be Safe at Home

Do try to make sure that your locks, doors, and windows are strong and cannot be easily broken. A good alarm system can also help.

Do check to be sure your doors and windows are locked, both when you are in the house and when you’re away.

Do make a list of your expensive belongings. You might even take pictures of the most valuable items. Store these papers in a safe place.

Do ask your local police department about marking your valuable property with an I.D. number.

Don’t open your door before you know who’s there. Look through the peephole or a safe window first. Ask any stranger for proof of identity before opening the door. Remember, you don’t have to open the door if you feel uneasy.

Don’t keep large amounts of money in the house.

Do get to know your neighbors. Join a Neighborhood Watch Program if your community has one.

Do be Street Smart

Do try to stay alert. Walk with a friend. Stay away from unsafe places like dark parking lots or alleys.

Do keep your car doors locked at all times.

Don’t open your car door or roll-down your window for strangers.

Do park in well-lit areas.

Do carry your purse close to your body with the strap over your shoulder and across your chest.

Don’t resist a robber. Hand over your cash right away if confronted.

Do be Safe with Your Money

Do have your monthly pension or Social Security checks sent right to the bank for direct deposit. Try not to have a regular banking routine.

Don’t carry a lot of cash. Put your wallet, money, or credit cards in an inside pocket.

Don’t keep your checkbook and credit cards together. A thief who steals both could use the card to forge your signature on checks.

Silver Companions understands the challenges faced by aging adults, as well as those who care for them. We are here to help, and be a resource, in any way we can. Call or email us, for a free consultation. We can talk through your specific situation and make a recommendation based on your circumstances and budget. Call us at (678) 494-8129 or email us at info@SilverCompanions.com.