NCJ Number
101755
Date Published
Unknown
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This booklet provides information on crime prevention measures that can be taken by senior citizens to increase their personal and property security. Commonsense precautions and safety tips are provided for protecting the home and its contents. Some of these include installing and using door and window locks, marking valuables, and participating in neighborhood watch programs. Guidelines for minimizing risk of victimization away from home include precautions that can be taken before leaving home, while walking, on buses and subways, and while driving a car. Tips for securing the home during a prolonged absence and for preventing victimization while traveling also are provided. Steps for protecting against and reporting medical fraud, business schemes, and home repair frauds are presented; common confidence scams (e.g., pigeon drop, obituary column sting) and sales schemes (e.g., bait and switch, fear and pressure sell tactics) are described. Information on reporting elder abuse and inadequate nursing home care in Massachusetts also is provided. Additional materials on victimization of the elderly in Middlesex County and its prevention are provided, as is a list of actions to take following criminal victimization.