Crime and the Retiree
    One of the biggest worries shared by older people is that they might be victims of crime. Actually, the rates of most serious crimes are very low among retirees. But crimes that do affect them include purse snatching, fraud, theft of checks from the mail, vandalism, and harassment (especially by teenagers). The impact of crime is greatest on retirees because they often have limited
budgets, frequently live in inner-city neighborhoods where crimes are more common, and may be injured more easily in the course of a crime. Physical handicaps, such as vision or hearing loss, can make the retiree easier prey. With diminished strength, older people are less able to defend themselves or escape from threatening situations.
     Sometimes the fear of crime can be as harmful as the crime itself.  Fear is useful if it encourages appropriate protection. But experiencing needless fear over a long period of time can be harmful to one's physical and mental health.

 

   Crime against oneself at any age is traumatic. Women and the elderly may feel that they are more vulnerable to crime in that they feel less able to protect themselves from violet predators than are men or younger people. Research suggests that women, when compared to men, take far more precautions to protect themselves: less likely to be on the streets at night, use of "tactics" (like wearing shoes that are better for running in) when needing to be on the street, more likely to have a companion with them when going out, and carefully choosing the best seat on a bus.
    This gender difference in preparation for being on the streets mirrors the violent nature of crimes, specifically of the crime of rape, that women perceive as a real threat (some estimates now put the possibility of a woman in the U.S. of being raped at 40% at some time in her lifetime---but most of those rapes will be by a person the victim knows). Unfortunately, rape is not a crime that is limited to a narrow range of ages: the reported youngest victim was 4 months old, the oldest was 96 years old. Rape among the elderly often happens in their home. A recent Ogden case where a man forced his way through a nursing home window in an attempted rape highlights the seriousness of this problem. Fortunately, the rape frequency among the elderly is lower than other age groups but the nature of the violence is more difficult for the elderly to handle, both emotionally and physically. Following prudent home safety measures  is an important step in reducing this risk.

 

    The elderly are less likely than other age groups to suffer many other types of crimes yet have a unique set of crimes to contend with. One such set of crimes is called "crib crimes," they are vandalism, purse snatching, assault, theft, and other crimes that youth perpetrate against them with the theme "it's like stealing candy from a baby!" Thus these crimes are stereotyping the elderly as people who are as powerless as babies in a crib while the youth are "proving" that they are more powerful.
    Another set of crimes targeted at the elderly are various scams, including home repair scams. This set of crimes stereotypes the elderly as easily confused and unable to follow complex situations. It often uses the elderly person's honesty against themselves (like in the "dishonest bank teller" scam where the elderly is asked to help the "President of the Bank" catch a teller do a dishonest act). Scams such as these are often perpetrated by thieves who fly from state to state (so that local authorities
do not have a chance to catch up to them) and who trust that most of their victims will be too embarrassed to call the police.
    Since most of the elderly own their homes and have resided in the same place for many years, out-of-state criminals can check at any library for the target city's "Cross City Directories" (one very good volume is called "Cole's Directory"). These public references contain a wealth of information (marketers use them--that's where most of your junk mail comes from!). From these directories the "wealth" of a specific home is assessed and the "mark" (the person who the thief thinks he can easily scam) is targeted---before the thief even flies into town! If you are not familiar with these directories, I strongly suggest that you go to your city library and look up the information they contain about you.
    Beyond those directories, there are easy ways to obtain information about a person. Another method is using Equifax (or a similar company) to get a specific report about a person. Depending on how much you wish to spend, they will even photograph the house and interview neighbors concerning the target's habits. Companies like this are used by businesses in making hiring decisions and assessing credit worthiness, but can also be used to preliminarily "case the joint" by criminals many miles away.
     Elderly abuse is also an important area. Many people, however, fail to recognize that abuse is not only in the nature of a physical attack, but also in emotional, social, and financial areas. As reported by many elderly, the most common abuse and the most distressing one is when grandparents are denied access to grandchildren. This appears to be the most common "weapon" used to keep the elderly "in line." Many other abuses are never reported to the police because the threat of never getting to see a grandchild again is held over the victims head.

 

Crime Prevention --
 AT HOME the best crime prevention measure is to lock doors and windows. Almost half of all home and apartment burglaries occur because someone did not "lock up."
 -  Use common sense, when answering the door. For example look through the peephole or ask the visitor to identify himself or herself before you unlock it.
 -  Mark valuable property by engraving it with your Social Security number, driver's license, or state identification number. Make a  photo list of the valuables in your home and keep in a safe deposit box at the bank.
 -  Install quality security equipment so your locks, doors, and windows cannot be broken into easily.

 Many police departments have staff members they can send out to evaluate your home and make recommendations.

 ON THE STREET  Walk with a friend when you go out,  even in your neighborhood, and beware of places where crime can occur. Avoid dark parking lots or alleys.
 - Avoid dressing in a showy manner.
 - Carry little cash and hand it over without question if you are attacked.
 - If possible, do not carry a purse.  Put your money and credit cards or wallet in an inside pocket.
 - Have monthly pension or Social Security benefits on direct deposit rather than having the check sent to your home.

 

 IN TRAVEL  Avoid traveling alone, when ever and wherever possible. "Safety in numbers" is very important when touring and vacationing.

 

 CON GAMES The con artist may, for example, pose as a bank examiner and request that you withdraw, and temporarily turn over to him or her, money from your bank account.  The swindler convinces you that this is all part of a "test" the bank is conducting to uncover a dishonest bank employee.  Don't draw money from your bank at the suggestion of a stranger.  Do report the incident to the bank manager at once.

 

 CONSUMER FRAUD  The following are common schemes you should watch for:
 - Health insurance policies that appear to pay gaps in medicare coverage -- but don't. Check the policy with  your state insurance commission, a lawyer, or Better Business Bureau before spending money.
 - Glasses or hearing aids sold at bargain rates by unlicensed salespersons.  Ask your doctor's advice if you need to purchase a sight or hearing appliance.
 - Products advertised as miracle cures. This is known as "health quackery." Don't buy any product advertised to treat a condition that medical science has not yet found a cure for.
 -  Contributions to charity.  Make sure the money goes to a legitimate charity. Find out how much of the money will actually go to the charity and how much is used for expenses.
 -  Home Repair frauds.  Do not agree to let someone who is "just driving by" work on your home. Shop around before you spend money on home improvements.
 -  Door-to-door salespersons. Ask the person to come back another day. This will give you time to call your local Better Business Bureau to check out an unfamiliar company.

 

Suitability when Investing:
    Licensed and ethical investment advisors require the investment they are suggesting to you be "suitable" to your needs, not just great "commission-payers" to themselves. Always demand a thorough explanation of the proposed investment, all sales literature, and a prospectus (an outline of the main features of the investment). Ask what the investment will do for you based on not only expected (or hoped for) rate of return, but also on the basis of the potential tax consequence, how it will affect your estate in the event of your death, and how easily you can change the investment back to cash.
     "If it's too good to be true, it probably is!"
     "If it's good today -- it'll still be good tomorrow."
     Be careful of "testimonials!"

 

Conservator (Guardianship) Scams
     Recently, concern has increased over the improper use of guardianships by well-intentioned individuals as well as new businesses springing up. Conservatorship and Guardianships are means of helping persons who are not able to help themselves.  If a person can, and wants to handle his own affairs, these legal means may be harmful. To avoid this possible problem, proper estate planning, such as wills and trusts, should be implemented.

 

House Sitters
    Although it is a terrible thing, some burglars time their visits with your emotionally trying times. These people watch for obituaries listing survivors and the time of the funeral.  While you are away, they strike. Ask friends and the police to watch over your home while you are away.  These burglars have also hit during marriage celebrations, so be especially careful during either of these two events.

 

What You Can Do
    Police estimate that more than half of all crimes go unreported. Victims should not be embarrassed or frightened about calling the police. Reporting crime can let the police know where problems are in your neighborhood and will encourage better protection in the future. You may wish to write to organizations that may be able to help you. Check out "Addresses of Interest" in the appendix.

 

 CHAPTER 9 IN RETROSPECT:
1)   Do you make sure that you have copies of all documents you  sign, whether investing or spending money?
2)   Do you check references of those who want you to employ  them?
3)   Each item has a place to put a date for completion and an area to be checked when it is completed.
 _______ have you checked the locks on your doors and windows?   I will do by _____________, ___.

 

_______Have you reviewed your activities on the street?  Do  you travel with a companion whenever possible?  Do you take 
only the minimum cash necessary? 

 

Do you avoid flashy or  expensive looking clothing?  I will do by ____________, __.

 

________ Were there any books about crime prevention which  you wanted to write for and have you written for them?  I will do by __________, __.