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Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security Working together we can develop safer communities. Education and awareness of preventive techniques can help you recognize a potential crime situation and allow positive action to be taken that will reduce or remove the risk. Becoming involved in your community along with your local police can increase your sense of security and enhance programs and services available to your community. Safety in Your Home For the majority of people, a feeling of security is found in the safety of their homes. However, many Canadians fail to take even fundamental precautions to secure their homes against robbery. There are a number of precautions you can take that will reduce the opportunities that a burglar is looking for. Prevention Tips
Note: A few inexpensive but rich-looking pieces kept in the jewellery box as a decoy may deter unnecessary ransacking of your home in search of valuables. What if........ A burglar assumes you are not home and enters without checking.
Facts and Fiction The portrayal of a burglar as a sinister thief operating at night, a handkerchief over his face, coat collar turned up and peaked cap on his head is misleading and inaccurate. Statistics indicate that the thief will most probably be one of the male youths in the neighbourhood, usually under 30 and most likely a teenager. He may be well dressed, wearing a recognizable uniform or a suit jacket. It will more than likely be broad daylight. The typical burglar does not want to harm you, just get into your home, steal what is available and valuable, and get out as quickly as possible, unobserved. Away from Home It is important to take extra care in securing your home when you are going to be away for any length of time. Not only should your home be secure but it should also appear lived in. Prevention Tips
Safety on the Street If street crimes (purse snatching, robberies, assaults, etc.) are a problem in your neighbourhood and you have a fear of being victimized, there are ways in which you can reduce the risk of victimization and increase your sense of personal security. Prevention Tips
Safety in Your Vehicle There are some common-sense rules that motorists should follow under certain conditions. Rely on your judgement and assessment of the situation to tell you what you should do. Prevention Tips
What if........ Your vehicle breaks down in an isolated area.
Con Artists and Their Games Not Me! Generally, people believe it cannot happen to them. But one has to remember that con artists are clever actors appearing friendly and trustworthy. We all have a particular image of a what a CON ARTIST is or looks like, however, when faced with the real thing we can be fooled. The con artist is usually a stranger to you and can be male or female. Usually they will approach you when you are alone, so that no one else can overhear the conversation, however, in some instances, two or more people will work as a team. A con artist may approach you on the street, by telephone or at your home. Remember con artists want only one thing from you, your money. By arming yourself with knowledge of how the con artist operates, you will reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a con game. Con Games Pigeon Drop: An individual claims to have found a large sum of money and offers to share it with you. You are asked to withdraw "good faith" money from your bank. The con artist may either request that you simply show the money by placing it in a particular wallet, later switching the wallet with one that does not have any money in it or the con artist takes your "good faith" money and gives you a phoney address where you are to collect your share of the found money. Either way the end result is you lose your "good faith" money. Refuse to participate in any deal requiring you to demonstrate your financial ability to a stranger. Bank Examiner: An individual claiming to be a bank examiner contacts you and requests your assistance and co-operation in helping them uncover a suspected dishonest bank employee. You are asked to withdraw a specified amount of cash from your account. The bank examiner takes your money, supposedly to check the serial numbers. You never see the phoney bank examiner or your money again.
Diversion: Two or more individuals knock on your door. One person claims to need your help, which requires you to leave the entrance way. While you are away helping this person, the other enters your home and takes what he/she can before you return. It may be days before you realize you have been robbed.
Note: Many of the diversion tactics are referred to as "Gypsy Scams". Home Improvement: A travelling repair person knocks on your door and states while driving by he or she noticed that the brick work on your home is deteriorating, your house needs some painting or the porch needs repairs. This person just happens to have left-over material from another job and can do your repair work at a considerable saving. Be extremely cautious of the "just passing by" home repairman. The left-over material offered may be stolen or defective. Resist the impulse to grab this "bargain". When in doubt, check the offer with your local Better Business Bureau or with a reputable company that supplies a similar service and materials. Utility Inspector: An individual claiming to be an inspector from your local utility company knocks on your door. He or she claims to be conducting a routine inspection and requests to take a look at your meter, furnace or fuse box. This inspector informs you that you are breaking a number of regulations and if you do not have this fixed within 24 hours, your water, gas or electricity will be cut off. The inspector then informs you that he/she happens to have a friend that can do the job on short notice at a reasonable price. In actual fact, there is nothing wrong with your utilities. Check the credentials of any public official or salesperson. Call the utility company directly to verify the credentials of the "inspector" and the inspection notice. Use your telephone directory when calling the utility company, rather than the number given to you by the "inspector". Medical Fraud: An ad, usually found in magazines, offers a miracle cure for cancer, arthritis or some other disease. The advertisement states that for $29.99 they will send you a bracelet or some other device that will cure your ailment. You are asked to send a certified cheque or money order to some mail order clinic. Four to six weeks later you receive the so-called miracle cure, or cure-all. Unfortunately there is no such thing as a cure-all or miracle cure. If you suffer from a particular ailment, seek the advice and services of qualified medical practitioners. Phoney medical treatment purchased through the mail should be reported to your physician, local medical authorities or police. Work-at-home: A newspaper/magazine ad states that you can earn extra money at home by sewing or by doing some other task. It states that a sample of your work plus a small "registration fee" are required. Unfortunately your work may not be returned and you may never hear from the alleged promoter(s).
Contracts: In an attempt to have you to sign a contract, a salesperson may tell you: "It is just a formality"; "There is nothing to be concerned about"; or "It is for your protection". However, there may be clauses in the contract that go beyond what you have been verbally led to believe. Once you have signed, the contract is binding and you are obligated to meet the terms of the agreement. Even if the contract is questionable, for you to break the contract may require expensive legal services. Never sign a contract that you have not read and fully understand. If you have any doubts, seek advice from your lawyer, banker or someone who has some expertise with contracts. CAUTION: Common Expressions Used By Con Artists
CONSUMER BEWARE Who? How? Where? When? Why? As a consumer, you must recognize both the risk and responsibility involved with each transaction you make. Whether you ared dealing with a door-to-door salesperson, telephone solicitor or through the mail, you are taking a risk. It is your responsibility to be alert, to be familiar with common consumer frauds and well informed on tips that may prevent you frombecoming a victim of consumer fraud. COMMON CONSUMER FRAUDS Suspicious "Contests" - You are notified, usually by mail, that your name has been selected in a draw and are eligible to win a large sum of money. You are requested to sign the form as well as select two or three gift purchases for $29.95 and return the order form and money. This is a come-on to involve you in a transaction to purchase goods under the premise you may win the large sum of money. Misleading Ads - For $19.95 you can purchase this 9 x 12 rug. Order early as supplies are limited. You forward your money order or certified cheque. If you do receive your rug, it is 9 x 12 inches, not feet as you thought. Read your advertisements carefully. Retirement Estates/Property - Be suspicious of advertisements found in papers, magazines or brochures promoting real estate sales of retirement lots, villas, condominiums, etc., in other countries, SITE UNSEEN. Travel Club Offers - Join our club and win a free vacation to a foreign paradise. The impression created by the solicitor is that a valuable prize has been won. Instead, the cost of the "free" vacation is often paid through inflated credit card charges. The actual vacation seldom complies with the representations made and frequently contains additional, hidden costs which must be paid during the vacation. Tele-marketing/Telephone Solicitation - Telephone solicitation is a recognized legitimate business practice for the sale of goods and services, canvassing for charitable donations or conducting surveys. However, as a marketing technique, telephone solicitationcan be susceptible to misuse. Telephone solicitation is not something to fear but is a technique the consumer must understand and be cautious of. As you are the consumer receiving the telephone call - YOU are in control - if YOU do NOT wish to buy, politely hang up the telephone. Prevention Tips
Programs and Services A secure environment takes more than locks and lights. It involves working with your neighbours and the local police in identifying community problems and implementing programs and services to create a safer and more secure environment. Crime Prevention Programs
Victim Services Provide information on:
Provide referrals for:
Community Programs
Contact your police department in order to obtain information on programs available in your area and to provide suggestions for new initiatives. Conclusion This booklet deals with crimes that are most likely to happen to YOU. The fear of violent crimes, however, can greatly affect you, even though as a senior adult you are less likely to be a victim of a violent crime. Isolation, media sensationalism, physical and social changes in one's life can lead to a heightened sense of vulnerability. By becoming involved in your community and participating in crime prevention programs, you can reduce your sense of vulnerability. There is evidence that some people who have been victimized are too embarrassed to report the incident to the authorities. For your own well-being and to help others from becoming victims, if you have been victimized (or think you have been) REPORT THE CIRCUMSTANCES IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. For more information, please contact: RCMP Headquarters Available in PDF format. To read Adobe Acrobat files, you may need to download and install the free Adobe Reader available from Adobe Systems Incorporated. |
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