Senior citizens are often seen by criminals as easy targets. We have all read in the news countless times when seniors have become victims of crimes. In some cases seniors are tricked into giving up their life savings. Below are some tips from the Nassau County Police Department. Please go over these tips with your elderly family members and neighbors. Help prevent them from becoming a victim.
SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS
AT HOME:
Answering the door:
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•Always lock your doors and windows.
•Do not rely on a chain lock to keep people out.
•Consider having a security viewer Installed – they are inexpensive and important.
•Put dead bolt locks on all of the exterior doors.
•Never hide keys outside. Burglars
know most hiding places.
•Even if your expecting someone, ask who is there before opening the door.
•If the person on the other side of
the door seems familiar or is wearing authoritative clothes or a uniform, ask that credentials and photo ID be held up for you to view before opening the door.
•You have the right to refuse to open the door to any businessperson, serviceperson or official.
•Most companies/utilities will call before sending personnel to your home. You can call to make a specific appointment.
•If you are not interested, say so without opening the door. You can ask them to leave their business card in the mailbox.
Answering the telephone:
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•Do not volunteer any information to unknown people over the telephone: name, address, social security number...
•Hang up quickly on suspicious or obscene callers.
•Put only your first initial, last name and town in apartment and phone directories. You can ask to have your street address removed from the these listing.
Suggestion:
Your mailbox may not be
the safest place for your Social
Security or retirement checks.
Consider having a locked mail-
box or door mail slot. Consider a
direct deposit program to send money straight bank, credit union, etc
WALKING HOME:
Obeying basic safety rules can help save your life.
•Cross at the corner, never between parked cars, never in the middle of the block.
•Stay inside the lines of a crosswalk.
•Never cross when a yellow or red light. Never cross against a flashing “Don’t Walk” light.
ON THE STREET:
Criminals are opportunists. They look for easy
ways to take advantage. Avoid trouble.
•Avoid traveling alone. There is safety in numbers.
•Plan your route ahead of time. Stay alert to your surroundings.
•Do not wear or display jewelry.
•Put money in a safe, secure place.
•Women should place it in a deep, secure pocket. Men should place a rubber band around the wallet and put it in a side trouser pocket.
•Con artists have a well-rehearsed story. They need a willing participant. Don’t be one!
•If you must walk at night, choose busy and well-lit streets. Avoid dark places, short cuts, alleys, thick trees and deserted areas. Try to go with a companion. Always let someone know where you are going and when you are returning.
•If you arrive by taxi or private car, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside.
•Always have your door key ready when walking to your door.
SHOPPING:
•Carry only a small amount of money and a minimum number of credit cards.
•Do not leave your purse unattended in the shopping cart or on a counter. Hold onto your purse when you are in the restroom. If you are buying something and open your purse, do not become distracted. Close it as quickly as possible.
•Be courteous but do not have long conversations with strangers.
PREVENTION AGAINST CON GAMES:
Con artists are good at what they do! They are smooth talkers who try to separate you from your money or valuables through trickery and deceit
•Con artists can be young, old, women, men...
•Con artists work alone or in groups.
•Con artists may pretend to be repairmen, building inspectors, Police, lost people, sad or desperate people...
•Just because someone knows a lot of information about you does not mean they know you. Do not give them any more information.
•Con artists have a well-rehearsed story. They need a willing participant. Don’t be one!
Not listed in these safety tips is the common scam of someone posing to be Law Enforcement, a Lawyer or Court Official. They state your relative has been arrested and you need to wire them money or provide a credit card. This is a scam and no official will ask for money over the phone. This is a very common con that we must be aware of.
Christopher Carini is the Vice President of Seaford for the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners' Association, Director of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners' Association Neighborhood Watch Committee, Administrator of the Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners' Association's Neighborhood Watch Facebook group and Co-Administrator of the Wantagh Seaford Homeowner's Associations main Facebook page. In addition, Chris is also a member of the Nassau County's Police Commissioners Community Council for the 19th Legislative District and serves as the District's Vice Chairman.
Please join WSHA by downloading our membership application from our website
https://www.wsha.li/
Please also like our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Wanta...
Residents of Wantagh & Seaford please join the Wantagh Seaford Homeowners Association’s Neighborhood Watch Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/group..
