SENIOR SAFETY PRESENTATION

Transcription

1 SENIOR SAFETY PRESENTATION

2 Presentation Overview Elder Abuse Problem How the Calgary Police Service responds to this issue Most Prevalent Frauds/Scams Case Studies

3 Contributing Societal Trends Elder Abuse Adult children in the home Multi generational homes Financial/Legal - Power of Attorney (POA) Immigration Family caregivers Dementia prevalence Grey Tsunami

4 Why Are the Elderly Targeted? Isolated Loneliness Perceived as Trusting Higher Disposable Income Possible Declining Mental Alertness

5 Why Do Offenders Do It? Low Risk of Detection Less Exposure to Violence/Jail Potential Big Payday Often Multijurisdictional/Hard to Investigate (Scams) Crime of Opportunity (close relationship)

6 Why Does It Work? Skilled Manipulators Same Techniques as Child Molesters (Grooming) Create Urgency Secrecy Companionship Understanding Flattery Family Discord Great Actors (Play off your Cues) Take Advantage of Caring Instincts (Grandchild Scam) Victims May be Financially Insecure (Lottery Scam) Greed (Gambling/Investment Fraud) Naive (Partner Did the Finances)

7 Why Such Low Reporting? Estimates of 1 in 20 elderly being financially exploited Only 1 in 9 reporting Embarrassment Unaware They Are Being Victimized Lottery/Investment Scam Fear of Being Viewed as Too Vulnerable Lose Independence Intimidation/Threats

8 How to Push Back? Be Suspicious Contract Scammer Untrustworthy family or Acquaintance Be Involved-Isolation makes you Vulnerable Power of Attorney Options Third Party Overview Double Signatures Calgary Legal Guidance Elder Abuse Resource Line Canadian Anti Fraud Centre

9 Elder Abuse Response Team (EART) One Sergeant Five Investigators Two Social Workers Provide a variety of Investigative Referral Support

10 (EART) Continued Physical Threats, Intimidation, Extortion Neglect Financial Verbal, Emotional Sexual *(not all fall under police jurisdiction)

11 Some Signs of Abuse Fear, Anxiety, Depression Unexplained injuries Dehydration, poor health Improper use of meds Unexplained debt or credit issues Loss of Assets Withdrawn, secretive

12 Social Work Role Acts as a resource, provides support and adjustment counseling Referrals to community partners and agencies Court orientation accompaniment to court updates on court procedures Follow up after the case is resolved* Family Education pre-charge correction of behavior* Risk assessment of offender(s)* Offender Management after charge* *in conjunction with police support

13 Successes The Elder Abuse Resource Line (EARL) received more than 2,000 calls related to Elder Abuse. EART was assigned 106 files for investigation. Approximately 20% of these investigations resulted from phone calls to EARL and approximately 80% resulted from direct phone calls to the police. A total of 37 criminal code charges were laid as a result of these investigations. Nineteen Offenders *Stats from 2015 Jan-Aug

14 Home Care Way In Network Referral Sources Calgary Seniors Resource Society City of Calgary Programs City Link Alberta Health Services Mental Health Community Supports Legal Aid/Legal Guidance Elder Law Clinics Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee The Kerby Centre Senior Connect Calgary Elder Abuse Resource Line: (403)

15 Most Common Scams and Frauds Grandparent Scam - Emergency Scam Investment Scam Pyramid Scam Overpayment Scam Phishing Scam Malware - Trickery Identity Theft - Skimming Home Improvement Scam Romance Scam Lottery Scam

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17 Investment Scam Low Risk - High Return Exclusive Time Sensitive Secret Only One Person Touches the Money Pyramid Scam First in gets paid by last in until it collapses Overpayment Scam Overpaid for a purchase with bogus cheque You pay with real money

18 Phishing Skimming

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21 IDENTITIY THEFT AND FRAUD What is your Financial Identity? Your assets on record (what you own) Your identification Your bank accounts Your personal information Name and Date of Birth Home Address SIN, D/L, Health Care Numbers Bank Account Numbers Credit Card numbers along with the Card Verification Value (CVV) security numbers PINs, Passwords, User ID s

22 How are identities stolen? Theft from wallets and purses Theft of mail Skimming of debit and credit cards Telephone solicitation Informant in a position of trust Shoulder surfing Dumpster diving Online - Computer hacking (malware) - Information given over as a result of a phishing scam

23 Identity Theft and Fraud cont d Signs Identity Theft/Fraud has occurred: Increase in strange mail or phone calls regarding services never applied for. (i.e.. Credit Applications, Statements, Bills) Decrease in mail (i.e.. Monthly Statements) Phone calls by collection agencies for a defaulted account. Unexplained activity on your credit record

24 Home Improvement Scam Use a respected contractor/check references Service Alberta - Licensed? Multiple bids - Detailed contract Don t feel pressured - Never pay up front Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited? Romance Scam Prey on the lonely Lottery Scam Have to pay to collect Often goes on and on

25 HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? Shred all documents with personal information Reduce number of credit cards and bank accounts Notify bank of lost/stolen cheques or credit cards When making a purchase: o Keep your card in view at all times o Ensure you retrieve your card Don t give away your information online Keep Antivirus and Malware software up to date

26 PROTECTING YOURSELF cont d Always take receipts, and shred if not needed Only provide ID and credit card information over the phone when you have initiated the call Always keep your PIN confidential and change it often Avoid unsolicited s and the attachments and links included Be Suspicious!

27 IF YOU ARE VICTIMIZED Call the creditor (bank/credit card company) to report the incident cancel all credit/debit cards Call the police Visit antifraudcentre.ca Report the incident Call Equifax ( ) Call TransUnion ( )

28 You are not the only one Will be helping someone benefit from you experience No stigma involved Best way to make it stop

29 Questions/Discussion?