Aging Issue Spotlight

Senior Safety: Fear of Crime Isolates Older Adults

Although the overall risk of being a crime victim declines with age, older Americans are particularly vulnerable to frauds and scams, property crimes and elder abuse. The fear of these crimes often isolates older people and makes them feel helpless.

"Most seniors express a fear of being physically attacked or mugged," said Kalamazoo Crime Prevention Officer Alan Frasier. "That almost never happens because it would cause so much attention. People are going to react a lot more to someone knocking an older adult down than a younger person."

However, older adults are favorite targets for scams, con games and frauds.

"It's something we see periodically in Kalamazoo," said Harold West, Edison Neighborhood Liaison Officer. "It doesn't happen often, but when it does it's devastating. People often lose their whole life savings."

Some of the classic scams include The Bank Examiner, The Pigeon Drop and home repair scams.

The Bank Examiner
Someone poses as a bank official or Internal Revenue Service agent and asks for help to catch a dishonest teller. The older adult withdraws money from his/her account and turns it over to the "agent" so that serial numbers can be checked or the money can be marked. The money is never seen again.

The Pigeon Drop
A couple of strangers tell the victim about money or other valuables that they have found. They then offer to split the money with the older adult if they are willing to put up some "good faith" money. The cash is turned over, and the strangers are never heard from again.

Home Repairs
A homeowner is approached and offered unusually low prices for normally expensive jobs. The older adult either pays for a service that was never really needed or is robbed by the con artist.

"The Bank Examiner scam usually happens about once a year in Kalamazoo," said Frasier. "The frustrating thing is that these con artists are very seldom ever caught. Many times, seniors are too embarrassed by being tricked and don't want to report it.

Sometimes, the victim doesn't find out until months after the fact and then it's often too late to find the criminal."

According to Frasier, con artists often make a connection with the older adult and establish some sort of trusting relationship.
"Seniors are often lonely and they enjoy the attention. It makes them vulnerable to strangers," said Frasier.

These con artists find their victims at grocery stores, hospitals, banks and doctors' offices.

Older adults are also often victims of property crimes such as burglaries, theft and vandalism.

The ability to replace the stolen or damaged items is often limited.

"Many seniors can't get jobs to replace what's been stolen," said Frasier. "

West suggests never walking alone and carrying only what is needed such as identification and money.

"A small purse rather than a large one, your wallet in an inside pocket and walking with someone and never alone are all very smart things to do."

Frasier also suggests walking straight to the destination and being aware of your surroundings.

"Look people in the eye, keep your head up and stay aware. It will cut down 60% of the possibility of being attacked," he said.

It's also important for seniors to practice safety at home.

"Lock screen doors and windows and be aware of people that want to come in to use the telephone or bathroom," said West. "Don't allow strange people into your home, even if they seem nice. Seniors need to learn to protect themselves and not be victimized."