**** RCMP Media Release It’s National Senior Safety Week, a time for seniors and their loved ones to reflect on and talk about ways to stay safe and secure. The RCMP’s Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security has information and tips on a range of topics that will help get the conversation started. The more we talk about seniors’ safety, the more we’ll keep it top of mind. Let’s get talking! #SeniorSafety2020

Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security

Who is this guide intended for?

This guide is for seniors, their family members, care-givers, friends, and anyone else who may find it useful. It is not meant to include everything but tries to answer some common concerns when it comes to seniors' safety and security. Our goal is to raise awareness of seniors' safety issues to improve their quality of life. The information in this guide can also be used to help people and their loved ones discuss this topic to help recognize a potential crime situation and show how to reduce or remove the risk. We hope that readers will find the information useful.

What is elder abuse?

Each year hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited. Many victims are people who are older, frail, vulnerable and cannot help themselves and depend on others to meet their basic needs. Abusers of older adults are both women and men. The World Health Organization defines elder abuse as, "Single or repeated acts, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person." In general, elder abuse refers to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act of violence, mistreatment or neglect of older adults at the hands of any individuals in situations of power or trust, including: spouses, children, other family members, friends, caregivers and service providers. It can occur in either private residences or facilities.

Elder abuse can take many forms:

• Neglect (by others).
• Physical abuse.
• Sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
• Psychological and emotional abuse.
• Financial exploitation (stealing or misusing an elderly person's money or possessions).
• Institutional abuse (overcrowded, substandard and/or unsanitary living environments).
• Violation of rights (restricting liberty and privacy).
• Spiritual abuse (restricted or denied religious and spiritual practices, customs or traditions).
• Abandonment.

Elder abuse is never acceptable. If you or someone you know is being abused, report it to the police!

Indicators of elder abuse

While one sign does not necessarily indicate abuse, some tell-tale signs there could be a problem are:

• A sudden change in behavior or appearance.
• Unexplained injuiries.
• Unexplained changes in financial situation.
• Conflicts between elder and caregiver.
• Lack of basic care (like a clean environment and cleanliness).

Security in your home

Most people feel safe in their home. Yet, many Canadians fail to take even fundamental precautions to secure their homes against robbery. There are some precautions you can take that will reduce the opportunities that a burglar is looking for.

Prevention tips

• Conduct a security check of your home to determine possible entry points and any weaknesses they may have.
• Keep all entrances and garages well-lit at night.
• don't leave tell-tale signs that you are away, such as leaving your curtains undrawn at night, an absence of a car in the driveway, dark house (lights off) and telling your friends and family on social media about an upcoming holiday.
• Install good locks and always use them.
• Install a wide-angle viewer in your front door which allows you to see visitors before you open the door.
• Never open a door to strangers without credentials.
• Change your routine often. Burglars often watch activities in a neighbourhood.
• Don't keep large amounts of money in your home.
• Mark valuable items for identification. The operation identification program has been developed by police to assist people in marking their property.
• Keep valuables in a safety deposit box at your bank. If this isn't possible, keep them locked up in a reasonable hiding place in your home.

Tip: A few inexpensive but rich-looking pieces kept in the jewelry box as a decoy may deter criminals from further damaging your home in search of valuables.

Away from home

It is important to take extra care in securing your home when you are going to be away for any extended time. Not only should your home be secure but it should also appear lived in.

Prevention tips

• Lock all windows, doors and garages before you leave.
• Leave a radio playing to show that someone is home.
• Leave one or two lights on, if possible operated by timers that turn on according to how dark it is.
• Stop mail and newspaper deliveries.
• Arrange to have someone pick up any newspapers, mail or flyers left on your doorstep.
• Leave a key with someone you trust.
• Let a trusted neighbour know you're going to be away, for how long and where they can contact you if necessary.
• Arrange to have someone cut the grass or shovel the snow if you plan to be away for several days.

Safety on the streets

If street crimes (purse snatching, robberies, assaults, etc.) are a problem in your neighbourhood and you have a fear of being a victim, there are ways in which you can reduce the risk of abuse and increase your sense of security.

Prevention tips

• Walk only in well-lit areas.
• don't burden yourself with packages and a bulky purse.
• Never display large sums of money in public.
• Go shopping in pairs or in a group.
• Walk in the centre of the sidewalk, away from alleys and doorways.
• If you suspect you are being followed, cross the street, go to the nearest home, service station or business and call the police.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid areas that increase your chances of being assaulted.
• Report problem areas to police. The police welcome the information and can also advise you of prevention methods.

Safety in your vehicle

Prevention tips

• Keep your vehicle locked at all times, whether moving or parked.
• If you are driving at night, use well-lit streets and parking lots that are open for easy observation.
• Be cautious of any stranger approaching your vehicle. If you feel you are in danger, press the horn repeatedly in short blasts; this will attract attention.
• If you think you are being followed, pull in to the nearest gas station or safe place. Don't drive home.
• Plan and know your route before you leave, whether it is for a short drive in the city or a long trip in the country. Consider using a Global Positioning System (GPS) if you travel frequently to help avoid getting lost.
• Don't pick up hitchhikers.
• View the interior of your car before getting in to make sure no one is hiding inside, even if the doors are locked.
• Have keys in hand so you don't have to linger before entering your car.

What if . . . Your vehicle breaks down?

• Pull your vehicle off the road so you will be out of the traffic;
• Turn on the emergency (four-way) flasher;
• When it is safe to step out of your vehicle, raise the hood;
• Stay in your vehicle with all doors locked and windows rolled up;
• If possible, call family or emergency road assistance and wait for help to come to you;
• Should a passing motorist stop, stay in your car and ask him/her to send help back to you.

Fraud and scams^Footnote1

In the world of fraud prevention and investigation, the two most used phrases are "buyer beware" and "you don't get something for nothing". Remember those phrases and repeat them to yourself whenever you receive any solicitation, particularly when it is by telephone. Don't send any amount of money to someone you have never met until you actually receive what you have been promised. Also keep in mind when an offer is too good to be true, it probably is. If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, call and report the incident to your local police. As a consumer, you must recognize both the risk and responsibility involved with each transaction you make. Whether you are dealing with a door-to-door salesperson, telephone solicitor, through the mail or online activities, you are taking a risk. It is your responsibility to be alert, to be familiar with common frauds and scams, and to be well informed on tips that may prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud.

In this section...

• Grandparent scams / emergency scams
• Romance scams
• Extortion scams
• Service scam
• Internet scams
• Money transfer requests
• Charity scams
• Prize scams
• Investment scams
• Medical scams
• Identity crimes

Grandparent scams / emergency scams

A scammer contacts an elderly person and pretends to be a grandchild or a family member in some kind of trouble and in need of immediate financial assistance. In this typical scenario the scammer will tell the victim that they have been arrested and requires bail money, have been in a car accident, need money to cover hospital costs or are having trouble returning from a foreign country. For verification, the elderly person is given a phone number to call, which will be answered by someone pretending to be a lawyer or a police officer. The scammer will ask questions during the call, getting the victim to volunteer personal information. The "grandchild/family member" will insist that the victim not contact their parents or relatives as they don't want to get into more trouble. The victim is then asked to use a money service business to send several thousands of dollars for bail.

Prevention tips

• Police, judges or legal entities will never request that money be sent through money service businesses.
• Don't give out personal information to the caller.
• Confirm with other relatives the whereabouts of the family member or friend in question before even considering sending money.
• Never send money through money wire services to persons you don't know personally. Verify the person's identity before you take any steps to help. The money can be picked up anywhere in the world once it is given a transaction number.

Romance scams

There is a growing number of seniors who are turning to the internet to find love. Unfortunately, scammers know this and use every type of dating or social networking site to seek out potential victims. The scammer will gain the trust of the victim through displays of affection and will communicate through the phone and email for months if needed to build that trust. The scammer will claim to be located in a foreign country but will want to meet up with the victim in person. The scammers will always come up with an excuse to prevent face-to-face interactions. It is at this time that the scammer will advise that they can't afford to travel and will ask for money to cover travel costs. Other variations include the scammer claiming that there is an emergency with a sick relative and will ask for money to cover medical expenses.

Prevention tips

• Be wary of someone who claims to be from Canada or the U.S. working abroad.
• Don't give out any personal information in an email or when you are chatting online with a stranger.
• Be careful communicating with someone who claims to fall in love with you quickly.
• Don't accept any funds or send the person any money for any reasons. Scammers will use all kind of tactics to get to your money, bank accounts or credit cards.
• Beware of fake dating sites. Scammers will host and create fake accounts to lure potential victims.

Extortion scams

An extortion scam is when any person unlawfully obtains money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. There are many variations of extortion scams but the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) scheme are the most prevalent ones. Seniors are being targeted by fraudsters impersonating real government officials. Whether by telephone or by email, the pitch involves one of two variations. In the first, the fraudsters are "phishing" for identification information. The word phishing comes from the analogy that scammers use phone calls or email lures to "fish" for personal information, passwords and financial data from individuals. In the second variation, they are asking that outstanding taxes be paid by a money service business or by prepaid debit/credit cards. For example:

• There is a notification by phone or email from the "CRA" claiming there is a refund pending. In order for the recipient to receive the refund personal information is requested.
• A notification by phone or email is received about "back taxes" owed as the result of an audit. The payment must be made immediately to avoid a fine or the recipient is told there is an outstanding warrant that can be avoided if the payment is made promptly. In some cases, individuals are told they will be arrested or deported if the taxes aren't paid right away.

Prevention tips

• Government agencies won't threaten you or ask for payment by prepaid credit card, or a money wire service such as MoneyGram or Western Union.
• Don't take immediate action. Contact the real agency or company to confirm that you owe back taxes or have an unpaid balance, or are entitled to a refund, before providing any personal or banking information.
• Ask yourself why an employee would be asking for personal information over the phone that they likely already have on file for you.

Service scam

A service scam is any false, deceptive, or misleading promotion or solicitations for paid services. These solicitations involve third parties that commonly make offers for telecommunications, internet, finance, medical and energy services. Additionally, this category may include, but is not limited to, offers such as extended warranties, insurance and sales services. The two most reported service scams targeting Canadians are the antivirus software scam (Microsoft/Windows Technician) and lower interest rate scams. The scammers involved in the antivirus software scam promise to repair your computer over the internet. This can involve the installation of software or permission to have remote access to your computer. Payment for the software or repair is typically made by credit card. Downloading software from an unknown source or allowing someone to remotely access your computer is risky. Scammers could use malicious software to capture your personal information such as user names and passwords, bank account information, identity information, etc. The people behind lower interest rate scams often impersonate financial institutions and claim to negotiate with credit card companies to lower your interest rates. They guarantee they can save you thousands of dollars in interest. The caller will tell you that the lower interest rates are for a limited time only and that you need to act now. In addition, the scammer will request a "one time" upfront fee to process the lower interest.

Prevention tips

• No legitimate company will call and claim your computer is infected with a virus.
• Never give anyone remote access to your computer. If you are having problems with your operating system, bring it to a local technician.
• Beware of scammers advising you of an unauthorized charge on your credit card account and requesting your credit card number.
• Verify any calls with your credit card company by calling the phone number on the back of your credit card.
• Only your credit card company can lower your interest rate.

Internet scams

Scammers can use the Internet to promote fraud through unsolicited or junk emails, known as spam. Even if they only get a handful of replies from the millions of emails they send out, it is still worth their while. Be wary of replying, even just to "unsubscribe", because that will give a scammer confirmation that they have reached a real email address. Any email you receive could be spam if it comes from a sender you don't know, isn't specifically addressed to you, and/or promises you some benefit. Malicious software - also referred to as malware, spyware, key loggers, Trojan horses or Trojans - poses online security threats. Scammers try to install this software on your computer so that they can gain access to files stored on your computer and other personal details and passwords. Scammers use a wide range of tricks to get their software onto your computer. They may trick you into clicking on a link or pop-up message in a spam email, or by getting you to visit a fake website set up solely to infect people's computers. Phishing scams are all about tricking you into handing over your personal and banking details to scammers. The emails you receive might look and sound legitimate but in reality genuine organizations like a bank or a government authority will never expect you to send your personal information by an email or online. Scammers can easily copy the logo or even the entire website of a genuine organization. So don't just assume an email you receive is legitimate. If the email is asking you to visit a website to "update", "validate" or "confirm" your account information, be skeptical. Delete phishing emails. They can carry viruses that can infect your computer. Don't open any attachments or follow any links in phishing emails. Online auctions and Internet shopping can be a lot of fun and can also help you find good deals. Unfortunately, they also attract scammers. Scammers will often try to get you to deal outside of online auction sites. They may claim the winner of an auction that you were bidding on has pulled out and offer the item to you. Once you have paid, you will never hear from them a