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Carencro Police
Crime Protection Tips for Senior Citizens |
One of the best ways to take an active part in crime prevention is to
become more alert and aware of what's going on around you.
Each person should adopt a more observant and active attitude on a
daily basis. As a result, you become more aware of strange cars,
persons or circumstances which might be dangerous and require calling
the police.
Not every stranger you encounter is a criminal by any means, but
criminals will look for easy opportunities to get something of value.
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Don't Be A Victim
of Fraud |
If someone offers a deal that
sounds to good to be true, it probably is. Yet every day people get
taken in by different schemes.
Con artists defraud and cheat
unsuspecting citizens out of several billion dollars each year. The
swindler's prime target is the senior citizen. Swindlers see the
elderly as easy marks for many reasons. Many senior citizens live on
social security and pensions supplemented by savings. They may be
looking for ways to increase their incomes through investments, home
business opportunities or retirement properties.
Most con artists promise "incredible
bargains" or "quick money." Unfortunately, senior citizens are just as
vulnerable as everybody else when it comes to get-rich-quick schemes.
Swindlers are usually well-dressed,
talkative and intelligent. After all, they are trying to win your
confidence.
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Con Artist Schemes |
Con artist schemes come in a
variety of situations. Just to name a few,
BEWARE OF:
- The Phony Bank Examiner Scheme- a
telephone caller will identify himself as a bank examiner who is
trying to weed out a disloyal employee by getting you to withdraw
money from your bank account and turn it over to them.
- Pigeon Drop- the swindler will claim
to have found a large sum of money with you being the witness to the
findings. A second person will come into the scene and help to
convince you to put up good faith money, switch the real money with
phony money and leave you holding the bag.
- Buying at the Door Schemes- someone
might come to your door and offer to sell home insulation, energy
saving devices or burglar bars. BEWARE! Do not purchase or sign any
contracts without first having it examined by someone you know and
trust. Also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if this
company is legitimate.
Remember, anything that sounds to good
to be true might be just that. So talk to your bank officer before
withdrawing a large sum of money from your bank account to make a
purchase or close a deal. Remember, most criminals look for the
easiest way to get something of value.
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Purse Snatch |
"Purse snatching" is a
common crime, but not widely publicized. Any woman is a target for
this offense, even though elderly women seem to be more vulnerable.
You can minimize your chances of becoming a victim of purse snatching
by following these simple rules:
* Do not carry a shoulder bag over your shoulder. This makes it easier
for a suspect to grab the bag,
knock you down and cause bodily injury.
* Carry a small clutch-type handbag underneath your arm. This will
prevent bodily injury from occurring in the event of a purse snatch.
* Do not carry large sums of money, valuable jewelry or all of your
credit cards in your purse.
* Carry only what you plan to use for the day. This includes one check
instead of the whole checkbook or one credit card.
* Do not walk with your purse dangling from your person.
* Do not leave your purse in shopping carts or on counters.
The most frequent areas for purse snatching are bus stops, grocery
stores, and shopping center parking lots.
The harder you make it, the less likely you are to become a victim of
a crime.© 2006 - Carencro
Police Department |
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