-Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets, such as expensive jewelry.
-If someone grabs your purse or packages, try to keep your balance, get away, and shout for help.
-Carry pepper spray to protect yourself.
When waiting for the bus, only choose well-lighted stops.
-Don't fall asleep. Stay alert!
-Watch who gets on or off the bus with you. If you get scared or feel unsafe, go to a place where there are others or sit beside the driver.
When Driving Your Car:
-Always lock your car doors. Never leave keys in the ignition when you leave the car, even for a few minutes.
-When you drive, keep the doors locked and windows up. Park in well-lighted, busy areas.
-Always know how to get where you are going before you leave.
-Don't leave packages or other tempting articles in view in a locked car. Lock them in the trunk.
-Never, never pick up hitchhikers.
-If you have car problems, be especially wary of strangers who offer help. Stay in the car and ask them to call a service truck and the police.
-Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times.
Don't Be Fooled by Con Men:
Con artists prey on older people who worry about insurance, investments, and maintaining their homes. Regardless of how nice and polite someone may seem, be suspicious of any proposal that sounds too good to be true, has to be kept secret, or requires immediate cash. Call the Better Business Bureau or the police. Be especially wary of:
-"Get rich quick" opportunities or schemes for which you have to put up good-faith money.
-Bargains on home repairs or improvements;
-Investments that promise unusually high returns;
-Someone claiming you owe money for an item ordered by a deceased relative;
-Work-at-home schemes, door-to-door sales, telephone sales, supplemental health insurance, miracle cures, glasses and hearing aids at bargain prices from unknown sources, unfamiliar charities.
Here are some facts about security and seniors:
Compared to other age groups, people 65 and over have the lowest rates for most types of crime, with a few exceptions such as purse snatching.
Everyone fears violent crime, but those types of crimes are the least likely to happen.
Most murders and assaults are committed by relatives or friends, not by strangers.
Statistics aside, when older people are victimized-even by a minor crime- effects can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating.
If you are the victim of a crime, help is just a phone call away. Call 911 to report all crime, no matter how minor or embarrassing. They can link you up with victim service agencies, the district attorney's office, and other agencies whose staff are there to help you.
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