Seniors and Crime Prevention

1
Seniors and Crime Prevention
2
Objectives

• Current data and future projections
• Demographics and fear of crime
• Financial crimes
• Property crimes
• Violent crimes
• Elder abuse
• Prevention tips for seniors

3
Seniors Today

• Seniors are a large demographic group.
• An estimated 35 million Americans are 65 years
  old or older.
• This group constitutes 13 percent of the U.S.
  population.
• Almost one in ten Americans is 65 or older.

4
Older Americans

• Persons 85 years of age or older
• An estimated 4 million Americans fall into this
  age group.
• This group accounts for 2 percent of the U.S.
  population.
• Persons 85 years of age and older are the
  fastest-growing segment of seniors.

5
More People Getting Older

• Americans 65 and older are a fast-growing
  demographic group.
• In 2011, the baby boom generation will begin to
  turn 65.
• By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or
  older.

6
More Foreign-born Seniors

• Immigration and differences in fertility rates
  have increased the number of minorities,
  including seniors.
• Of the 3.1 million foreign-born elderly in the
  United States in 2000,
• 35 percent lived in the West.
• 10 percent lived in the Midwest.
• 28 percent lived in the Northeast.
• 27 percent lived in the South.
• Source U.S. Census, The Older Foreign-Born
  Population in the United States 2000

7
More Seniors are Non-English Language Dominant.

• Older populations are more diverse
  linguistically a large percentage are non-native
  English speakers.
• Source U.S. Census, The Older Foreign-Born
  Population in the United States 2000

8
Ethnic and Racial Distribution of Older Americans
9
Predictions for Seniors

• Seniors will live longer. Eventual declines in
  cognitive and physical functions could make them
  more vulnerable to victimization.
• Seniors may become less in touch with innovations
  and less aware of their vulnerabilities.
• Services will require more flexibility and
  adaptation.

10
Fear of Crime

• Two-thirds of seniors believe they will
  inevitably be victims.
• Many seniors alter their lifestyles because they
  fear being victimized.
• Almost half of those age 75 or older are afraid
  to leave their homes after dark.
• Twenty percent of seniors say fear of crime has
  contributed to a sense of loneliness and
  isolation.
• Source Age Concern (www.ace.org.uk)

11
Fear of Crime (cont.)

• Older Americans demonstrate a higher rate of fear
  of crime than any other age group despite having
  the lowest victimization rates.
• Knowledge of their vulnerabilities and reduced
  self-defense capacities makes them more cautious.

12
Fear of Crime (cont.)

• Other reasons why older Americans fear crime
• Potential recovery from physical or financial
  injury is often limited.
• Loss of money or physical faculties has a more
  severe effect than on other age groups.
• They may fear the loss of their independence
  (this may be why many do not report
  victimization).
• Media frequently portray the elderly as victims
  or, at least, as being vulnerable.

13
Most Common Types of Crimes Against Seniors

• 1. Financial crimes
• 2. Property crimes
• 3. Violent crimes
• 4. Elder abuse

14
Financial Crimes

• Financial crimes include
• Fraud
• Scams
• Identity theft
• Healthcare fraud

15
Financial Crimes (cont.)

• These criminals generally seek to take cash,
  credit, credit rating, or other assets by
  deception.
• These are very capable criminals. Many have
  excellent people skills and/or talent with
  computers and similar electronic gear.

16
Financial Crimes (cont.)

• Robbery involves a confrontation and the threat
  or use of force, but financial crimes often
  involve people who are pleasant and seemingly
  helpful.

17
Why Are Seniors Targets of Financial Crimes?

• Seniors have accumulated resources. Many own
  their homes and have insurance, pension plans,
  savings, stocks and bonds, and similar assets
  that may not always be closely monitored.

18
Why Are Seniors Targets of Financial Crimes?
(cont.)

• Vulnerabilities based on lifestyle
• Many are accessible by telephone and mail, have
  time to listen, are too polite to hang up, keep
  assets readily available, have limited experience
  with investments, can no longer perform home
  repairs, and are deeply concerned with
  maintaining finances to last them through their
  lives.

19
Why Are Seniors Targets of Financial Crimes?
(cont.)

• Many are isolated by disability, fear of violence
  in the community, lack of peer friendships, or
  lack of transportation.
• Many are trusting or complacent or forgetful of
  details and may be embarrassed to admit they were
  victims.

20
Fraud

• Fraud involves deceit in the commission of a
  financial crime.
• Those who commit fraud offer prizes, deals,
  opportunities, bargains, and the like.
• They may advertise with a teaser (e.g., Earn
  money working at home!) or with a phone call
  announcing a golden opportunity to invest. Or
  they may develop personal relationships with, and
  then prey on, individuals they meet in various
  ways.

21
Fraud (cont.)

• Fraud can take many forms.
• Examples include home repairs, auto repairs, new
  carpet or appliances at bargain rates,
  work-at-home schemes, weight loss and similar
  health-related programs, stock and related
  investments, overseas investments, overseas
  lottery prizes, amazing deals on commodities
  trades, and more.

22
Fraud (cont.)

• Older people are major targets they make up
  about 12 percent of the population but 37 percent
  of telemarketing victims, according to one study.
  A telemarketing fraud artist told investigators,
  It is an article of faith in this business to go
  after the old folks.

23
Stealth

• The person takes or takes control of an asset
  without the victims knowledge or consent.
• Stealth-based financial crimes include identity
  theft, pretext theft, computer hacking, and
  similar criminal activity.

24
Stealth (cont.)

• Stealth-based crimes are usually difficult to
  detect unless the victim closely monitors small
  personal property and financial status and bills.
  
• Stealth-based crimes may go unreported because
  the victim may have no idea when the theft
  occurred or even whether it did, in fact, occur.

25
Identity Theft

• A growing threat
• More than 10 million
• Americans a year are
• victims of this crime although seniors are
  currently a small percentage of that number.

26
How Identity Theft Begins

• A crook captures key information about an
  individual in many ways
• A pre-approved credit card mailing
• A reply to a phony request to verify account
  information
• A bill from a credit card company
• A receipt with a name and credit card number
• A list that a computer hacker has stolen and sold
• Mail or bills from discarded trash
• Stolen wallets or purses

27
Identity Theft Continues

• The criminal uses information to make a
• purchase or obtain further information about a
• persons identity, such as the following
• Social Security number
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card numbers
• Drivers license number

28
Identity Theft Continues

• The criminal then exploits the identity by
• Piling up charges on accounts
• Taking money from bank accounts
• Opening new accounts
• Applying for a loan or mortgage
• Declaring bankruptcy

29
Discovering the Theft

• Eventually the exploitation is discovered when
  the victim
• Receives a bank statement with unknown
  transactions
• Finds newly created credit card accounts
• Tries to apply for a loan and is denied
• Is arrested for a crime committed by the thief
  using the stolen identity

30
Reporting and Restoring the Identity

• The victim reports the identity theft to the
  police and to the major credit bureaus.
• The victim asks the credit bureaus to note the
  crime on his or her credit reports.
• Depending on the state, the victim may need to
  consult with a local victims assistance agency
  or an attorney for specific steps that may be
  helpful or necessary.

31
Reporting and Restoring the Identity (cont.)

• The victim files a complaint through the Federal
  Trade Commission registry at www.ftc.gov.
• The victim completes an affidavit of identity
  theft, available at www.ftc.govs identity theft
  section.

32
Preventing Financial Crimes

• If someone makes an offer that seems too good to
  be true, assume that it is too good to be true!

33
Preventing Financial Crimes (cont.)

• Demand details in writing via U.S. mail and save
  the envelope, which permits the U.S. Postal
  Inspection Service to help investigate any
  criminal acts.
• Assume that anyone who must have an answer
  immediately is trying to get you to act before
  you think. Insist on time to investigate the
  offer on your own.

34
Preventing Financial Crimes (cont.)

• Keep track of everything you own that is a
  financial asset.
• Monitor credit accounts, bank statements, stock
  and pension fund statements, properties you own,
  and similar assets.

35
Preventing Financial Crimes (cont.)

• Make sure you get all bills and expected checks
  on time.
• Criminals have been known to steal mail to steal
  your identity. Call the company if a bill or
  check is late. If it was mailed on time, call
  your post office and report postal theft.
• Use a mailbox with a lock on it. Deposit your
  outgoing mail in a USPS mailbox.

36
Preventing Financial Crime (cont.)

• Dont risk it, shred it.
• Shred any material that you are throwing out that
  identifies you in any way bank statements,
  extra copies of records, bills, letters regarding
  financial matters, and similar documents.

37
Preventing Financial Crimes (cont.)

• Know about your credit.
• Get a copy of your credit report at least once a
  year to make sure that information is accurate
  and complete.
• By 2007 a single copy of your report from each
  major credit bureau will be available for free
  every year.
• Consider ordering reports on a staggered basis
  throughout the year.

38
Order Credit Reports

• Three major credit bureaus
• Equifax - www.equifax.comTo order your report,
  call 800-685-1111 or write PO Box 740241,
  Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.
• Experian - www.experian.comTo order your report,
  call 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write PO Box
  2002, Allen, TX 75013.

39
Order Credit Reports (cont.)

• Trans Union - www.transunion.comTo order your
  report, call 800-888-4213 or write PO Box 1000,
  Chester, PA 19022.

40
Property Crimes

• Property crimes against seniors include
• Burglary
• Larceny
• Auto theft
• Petty theft

41
Property Crimes (cont.)

• More than nine in ten crimes against the elderly
  are property crimes.
• When compared with other age groups, persons age
  65 or older were disproportionately victims of
  property crimes.
• Property crimes, not violence, represent the
  highest share of crime against those 65 or older.

42
Property Crimes (cont.)

• Property crime is any crime when money or
  valuables are damaged or stolen from a person,
  home, or business without direct personal
  contact.
• This includes burglary from a business or
  residence and auto theft.
• Victims of property crimes suffer financial
  losses and may feel violated and continue to feel
  unsafe long after the crime.

43
Preventing Auto Theft

• Lock the doors. Roll up the windows. Stay alert
  and check surroundings.
• Securing your car, even if you are parked in your
  driveway or leaving the car for just a minute,
  can be enough to discourage many would-be auto
  thieves.
• Check the car and the area around it before you
  get in.

44
Preventing Auto Theft (cont.)

• Consider installing tracking or security devices
  on your car.
• Take part in car theft prevention programs that
  allow police officers to stop your car if its
  being driven during hours when you dont normally
  drive.

45
Preventing Theft While Shopping

• Empty wallets and purses beforehand of items you
  wont need.
• Keep packages out of sight in the car trunk.
• Do not walk with your arms full of bundles that
  limit your line of sight or ability to respond.
• Keep your wallet in a front pants pocket or
  inside coat pocket.

46
Preventing Theft While Shopping (cont.)

• Keep purses closed and held snugly near your
  body.
• Keep all receipts separate from purchases.

47
Preventing Property Crime at Home

• Set up timed lights and have a trusted neighbor
  pick up mail and newspapers while you are away.
• Make sure your windows and house number are
  visible from the street. Illuminate doorways and
  walkways.
• Trim shrubs.
• Ask the police department to perform a security
  survey.

48
Violent Crimes

• Seniors experience the lowest number of
  victimizations and lowest rate in proportion to
  their population.
• The violent victimization rate of seniors has
  declined over 22 percent since 2001.
• Source Bureau of Justice Statistics, Criminal
  Victimization 2003

49
Violent Crimes (cont.)

• Seniors are victimized at an annual rate of 2.7
  per 1,000 persons.
• Robbery disproportionately affects seniors. It
  accounts for a quarter of the violent crimes
  against seniors, but less than one-eighth of the
  violent crimes experienced by those ages 12 to
  64.
• Source Bureau of Justice Statistics

50
Preventing Violent Crimes

• Remember that most violent crimes (except robbery
  and purse snatching) take place between people
  known to each other.
• Walk assertively, but not aggressively, in public
  areas.
• When going outside, go with a friend if possible.

51
Preventing Violent Crimes (cont.)

• Carry only the cash and/or credit cards that are
  immediately needed.
• Dont take shortcuts through deserted or dark
  areas. Stay where there are lights and people.
• When traveling, check with hotel staff about
  areas that should be avoided.
• If youre confronted by a robber, hand over your
  money or valuables. Theyre not worth your life.

52
Elder Abuse

• A 1996 study estimated that more than half a
  million seniors living at home were victims of
  domestic abuse that year.
• Estimates are that only 16 percent of cases of
  elder abuse are reported.
• Family members are frequent offenders adult
  children are responsible for 36.7 percent of the
  abuse other family members, 10.8 percent
  spouses, 12.6 percent.
• Source National Elder Abuse Incidence Study,
  1996

53
Elder Abuse (cont.)

• These types of crimes include
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Neglect
• Abandonment
• Financial or material exploitation
• Self-neglect

54
Possible Signs of Physical Abuse

• Although one sign might not indicate
• abuse, many of these are common
• Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions,
  and burns
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse,
  www.elderabusecenter.org

55
Possible Signs of Physical Abuse (cont.)

• Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a
  sudden change in alertness, and unusual
  depression
• Bruises around the breasts or genitals
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse

56
How To Identify Abuse

• More possible signs of elder abuse
• Sudden changes in financial situations may be the
  result of exploitation.
• Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene,
  and unusual weight loss are indicators of
  possible neglect.
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse

57
How To Identify Abuse (cont.)

• Behavior such as belittling, threats, and other
  uses of power and control by spouses is abuse.
• Strained or tense relationships and frequent
  arguments between the caregiver and the elderly
  person may indicate abuse.
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse

58

• You dont need absolute proof to report abuse.
• Even if you just suspect abuse, call for help.

59
What To Do About Elder Abuse

• Keep in touch with older friends and gently
  question any signs of physical, financial, or
  emotional abuse that you suspect.
• Dont be surprised if a friend denies abuse
  remain in touch, concerned, and observant.

60
What To Do About Elder Abuse (cont.)

• If signs persist, call the local office on aging
  affairs or the local police department. If you
  are uncertain, check with someone at your senior
  center or another friend.
• Start an education campaign for older people in
  your community. Share information, arrange talks
  by professionals in the field, and set up
  connections to helplines that can advise seniors
  on preventing and reporting abuse.

61
Tips for Seniors

• These are steps that will help you live healthier
• and more safely.
• Take care of your health.
• Seek professional help for problems involving
  drugs, alcohol, and depression, and urge family
  members to get help for these problems.
• Attend support groups for spouses and learn about
  domestic violence services.

62
Tips for Seniors (cont.)

• Plan for your own future. With a power of
  attorney or a living will, healthcare decisions
  can be addressed to avoid confusion and family
  problems. Seek independent advice from someone
  you trust before signing any documents.
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse

63
Tips for Seniors (cont.)

• Stay active in the community and connected with
  friends and family. This will decrease social
  isolation, which has been connected to elder
  abuse.
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse

64
Tips for Seniors (cont.)

• Know your rights. If you engage the services of a
  paid or family caregiver, you have the right to
  voice your preferences and concerns. If you live
  in a nursing home, call your long-term care
  ombudsman. The ombudsman is your advocate and has
  the power to intervene.
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse

65
Tips for Seniors (cont.)

• Stay involved and know your neighbors.
• Join a Neighborhood Watch organization.
• Get involved in the Triad group in your area.
  Triad is a partnership between the chiefs of
  police, sheriffs, and older and retired leaders
  in a community. This group is committed to
  reducing victimization and enhancing police
  services to seniors.

66
How To Report Elder Abuse

• If you suspect that abuse has occurred or is
  occurring, please tell someone. Relay your
  concerns to the local adult protective services,
  long-term care ombudsman, or police.

67
How To Report Elder Abuse (cont.)

• If you have been the victim of abuse,
  exploitation, or neglect, you are not alone. Many
  people care and can help. Please tell your
  doctor, a friend, or a family member you trust,
  or call the Eldercare Locator helpline
  immediately.

68
How To Report Elder Abuse (cont.)

• You can reach the Eldercare Locator by telephone
  at 800-677-1116.
• Specially trained operators will refer you to a
  local agency that can help. The Eldercare Locator
  is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  Eastern Time.
• Source National Center on Elder Abuse.

69
NCPC Online Resources

• Crime Prevention Brochures
• www.ncpc.org/ncpc/ncpc/?pg5882-3200-6062
• Full-text Publications Online
• www.ncpc.org/ncpc/ncpc/?pg5882-3200-12948
• Catalyst Newsletter Archives
• www.ncpc.org/ncpc/ncpc/?pg5882-3200-2630

70
Other Online Resources

• Statistics on Seniors - Census (www.census.gov)
  and Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related
  Statistics (www.agingstats.gov)
• Fear of Crime - Age Concern (www.ageconcern.org.uk
  /ageconcern/News_1009.htm)
• Financial Crimes - Federal Trade Commission
  (www.ftc.gov)

71
Other Online Resources (cont.)

• Elder Abuse - National Center on Elder Abuse
  (www.elderabusecenter.org)
• Crime (General) - National Association of Triads,
  Inc. (www.nationaltriad.org)
• General Information on Seniors - AARP
  www.aarp.org and the U.S. Administration on Aging
  (www.aoa.dhhs.gov/)

72
National Crime Prevention Council

• 1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW
• Thirteenth Floor
• Washington, DC 20036
• 202-466-6272
• www.ncpc.org