senior citizen crime prevention
TRANSCRIPT
Confidence Crimes and Scams
Niles Police DepartmentCrime Prevention Unit
Chief of Police Dean H. Strzelecki
Crime Triangle
ABILITY DESIRECRIME
Con (CON-fidence) Crimes
Gain people’s confidence Work on people’s traits Done quickly to avoid time to think Done for financial gain
Lessons from the Grandma Scam
Get you to say the name Not how bonds are handled Why is this person where they said? Do not trust Caller ID
Lessons from Ruse Entry Scam
Look for other indicators, such as vehicle Inquire who you can call to verify Never admit you are home alone IDs are good to check…If you know what to
look for
Other takes on Ruse Entry
Can my child use your restroom Why your house?
I need water for…. Use the hose outside Does the story make sense?
If Ruse Entry Fails
Home Invasion? Remain as calm as possible Listen to what Offenders say
Avoid opportunity to get in Start Help responding
Home Repair Scam
Repairs not needed Work not performed or
performed substandard Change price of work
Pigeon Drop
=
Lottery Scam
Lottery Scam Types Fake Ticket Pay taxes up front
Mystery Shopper Scam
You may receive a letter from a company asking you to be a mystery shopper for them. They will send you a “very real looking check” in varying amounts—up to $4,995.
They will ask you to fill out an acceptance form and send it back to them with your personal information.
They want you to call them before you cash the check.
Once you cash the check, they want you to wire transfer some of the money back.
Charity Scam
Phone Door to Door Outside of Stores
Electronic Scams
Telephone Scams Fraudulent Area Codes (809, 284, 876) Voice Mail Fraud (“push 1”) Calling Card Fraud – know your carrier Switching long distance companies Cellular phone “cloning”
Other Phone Scams
Missed Jury Duty Didn’t pay for ticket –red light cameras
Do not give information over the phone They should have the information
Electronic Scams continued
Internet Fraud Financial
Same Scams – updated technology Know who and how you provide information Fraudulent sites
Pop up ads Links to other sites
E-mail Scams
Types Hide Foreign Money Win Foreign Lottery
Clues Always grammatical errors Of all the e-mails in the world – how did they
pick yours?? Story really does not make sense
E-MAIL SCAM
Electronic Scams -email
Avoiding Scams
Take time to think and ask: “Why is this person doing this?” “What is in it for them?” “Does this really make sense?”
Get a second opinion Check Internet
Snopes.com
Call the Police
Identity Theft
Obtained through Theft Cons and Scams Electronic Means
Review Credit History often Protect your information
ATM Fraud
Protect your card Protect your PIN Skimmers and cameras Review your bank statements
Skimmers
Skimmer installed
Camera
Camera installed
Property Protection
Purse Theft Watch Purse Put in vehicle 1st
Do not carry everything you own with you Carry purse to avoid targeting
Burglary to Vehicles Keep items out of view
Locker Theft Only bring what you need Use locks and lockers
Summary
If it is to good to be true it is Eliminate Opportunity SLOW DOWN and THINK
CALL THE POLICE !!!!
Thank You
If you would like to have a Presentation for your community group call us
847-588-6500