by Councilmember Nancy Floreen
Seniors already have enough to worry about. Health, finances, and grandchildren are just a few. Our seniors shouldn’t have to worry about being the victim of a scam. Recently, the Montgomery County Police documented a number of scams targeting seniors. These types of crimes against seniors occur more often in elevators of buildings housing medical offices and grocery stores, but can happen anywhere and do not discriminate on whether the victim is male or female.
Usually, but not always, scammers will work with an accomplice to distract the victim by asking for help, or physically bumping into the victim while the other pickpockets the victim’s wallet or purse. In grocery stores, the victims are predominately female, but the scam works the same way. For instance, someone posing as a shopper may ask you to help read a label because they are allergic to peanuts. While you’re distracted by reading the label, the scammer has swiped your wallet or even the whole purse. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to keep you and your family safe:
Men should carry wallets inside a coat or in a front pocket, not the back pocket. Wrapping a couple heavy rubber bands around it will make it more difficult for a pickpocket to extract.
Watch out for jostling and physical and/or verbal distractions that may be staged.
If you’re aware that you’ve been targeted, don’t be afraid to yell out or call for help!
Women shouldn’t leave their purses in a shopping cart. Always carry your purse with you and make sure it is buckled or clasped.
Set up fraud protection with your credit card companies so they can alert you of suspicious usage if a theft occurs.
Make copies of both sides of your cards and keep them in a safe place at home so you have the information available if they are stolen.
If you are a victim of a scam, call 911 immediately!
Usually, but not always, scammers will work with an accomplice to distract the victim by asking for help, or physically bumping into the victim while the other pickpockets the victim’s wallet or purse. In grocery stores, the victims are predominately female, but the scam works the same way. For instance, someone posing as a shopper may ask you to help read a label because they are allergic to peanuts. While you’re distracted by reading the label, the scammer has swiped your wallet or even the whole purse. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to keep you and your family safe:
Men should carry wallets inside a coat or in a front pocket, not the back pocket. Wrapping a couple heavy rubber bands around it will make it more difficult for a pickpocket to extract.
Watch out for jostling and physical and/or verbal distractions that may be staged.
If you’re aware that you’ve been targeted, don’t be afraid to yell out or call for help!
Women shouldn’t leave their purses in a shopping cart. Always carry your purse with you and make sure it is buckled or clasped.
Set up fraud protection with your credit card companies so they can alert you of suspicious usage if a theft occurs.
Make copies of both sides of your cards and keep them in a safe place at home so you have the information available if they are stolen.
If you are a victim of a scam, call 911 immediately!
SOURCE: Nancy Floreen Blog
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