Crime Trends

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Detective Constable Carolyne Rashford participated in a presentation during which she listed the current crime trends being perpetrated against seniors. Be aware and know how to protect yourself and the seniors you love. Report all scams to your local police department.

• Emergency scams – a phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild in trouble and needing money immediately
• Dating and romance scams – online dates with people who eventually ask for money for plane tickets or business use
• Health or medical – online pharmacies that promise lower prices
• Computer companies – calls from Microsoft indicating you have a virus which they will fix over the phone for a fee and access to your computer
• Bank calls and emails –  calls asking for assistance in catching criminals stealing from banks or emails from banks asking you to click links, sign in and verify your account
• Money transfers –  someone in Nigeria left you millions
• Lottery scams – you’ve won the lottery but it will cost you several thousand dollars to get the money
• Handyman/woman – people who knock on your door assuring you that your roof, driveway or porch needs repair
• Hot water tank – a service person comes to your house and tells you that your hot water heater needs to be replaced
• Grocery store – essentially a form of pick pocketing which will have an individual ask you to reach an item they can’t or read a label for them while their partner steals from your purse

Detective Rashford reminds us that if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. She also noted that any contract signed in your home has a 10 day cooling off period under the Consumer Protection Act in Ontario – check your province for their protections.

The Oldish thanks Detective Constable Carolyne Rashford for her insight and www.reachoutbuildwithin.com for their support of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.