Statistics Estimated rate of elder abuse in the province: 4 - 10 % Recent survey suggests up to 25%

Population in Durham Region 2008: 600,000 Over 100,000 over the age of 65 years old-

Dramatic population growth expected in years to come as “baby- boomers” age

2011 first wave of baby-boomers turn 65 years old

By 2021, population of seniors expected to be higher than children 15 and younger for first time ever in Canadian history

Definition of “ELDER ABUSE”

• “Any abuse done to you by a person in a position of trust”

• “Position of Trust” means family member, related or unrelated caregiver, doctor, bank contact etc…

• Senior over 75 years old• Senior who is widowed and living alone• Senior who is lonely• Senior who is isolated• Senior who is physically frail but mentally capable • Senior with diminished cognitive ability • Senior who has to rely on others• Senior who has money or assets• Senior who is under control and influence of the abuser

Who is most likely to be targeted?

Theft by Power of Attorney

• This is a criminal offence section 331 CC• When your attorney takes your money for their own use

TIPS to make sure this doesn’t happen to you

Really consider who your POA will be POA should not be addicted drugs, alcohol, gambling Consider 2 POA’s jointly/severally Use a lawyer to do up POA documents not off internet or Staples POA in effect when signed unless otherwise stated-

Why do Cons target Seniors

• Excessive ability – home during the day• Trust – Older adults are often more trusting• Polite – Older adults are raised to be

respectful• Finances – money or assets

Renovation Scams• Unsolicited call to your door – don’t open if not expecting someone• Tell you will give you deal now to fix – pavement scam• Will put pressure on you to buy now, right now or won’t give you a deal• If you need repairs, ask friends, neighbours, family who they recommend – call

BBB do checks• Always get a contract in writing – get 3 estimates• Take your time• Never give large deposit• Cheque to company not individual

• You have 10 days to cancel

False Charities • Bogus charities often use names that are very close to the

names of legitimate and respected charities. The end of the year is the peak season for charity appeals. It also is the peak season for the bogus charity appeals.

• Warning signs • High pressure or threatening telemarketers • Someone calls and thanks you for a pledge you don't

remember making. • Copycat names. Names that might be misleading or deceiving.

False Charities/what you can do

• ask for the information to be sent to you in writing. • You never know who is calling you!!! misrepresenting a legitimate charity. • Never give out your personal / financial information out over the phone, or at the door. • Call the charity. Find out if they know about the appeal and have authorized it and what

percentage of your donation they will receive from your donation. Perhaps there is a better way to give, where 100% of your donation will reach the charity.

• Ask if the charity is registered. Contact Revenue Canada at 1-800-267-2384

• Ask them to give you the charitable tax number of the charity. • Most have chosen charities ie: autism• Feel good about giving.• When approached you can say that you have already given and leave it at that

Lottery Emails• Hit the jackpot• They do not notify winners by email. • You cannot win without first buying a lottery ticket. • They do not randomly select email addresses to award prizes to. • They do not use free email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc) to communicate

with you. • They do not tell you to call a mobile phone number. • They do not tell you to keep your winnings secret. • They will never ask a winner to pay any fees up front (like taxes or a

security deposit) to receive a prize, lottery or sweepstake! > •

Lottery Scam / Mail

• Victims typically are notified they have won a lottery, yet have to pay transfer fees, taxes or provide proof of their identity and/or details of their bank accounts or credit cards in order to receive the "winnings". The names of these organizations change all the time (they just make up a new name when one is exposed as a fraud), although many of the notifications use similar wording.

Remember these tips for avoiding scam lotteries

• You cannot win a legitimate lottery if you have not entered it.• You must purchase a ticket to enter a legitimate lottery.• NO legitimate lottery contacts winners. Winners must always

contact the lottery first. • You never have to pay to collect winnings from a legitimate

lottery or sweepstake. There are no other fees.• Scammers often use the name of a legitimate lottery in the

scam.• the list of legitimate lotteries CAFC 1 888 495 8501

Phishing

• Phishing, also called "brand spoofing" is the creation of email messages and Web pages that are replicas of existing, legitimate sites and businesses.

• used to trick users into submitting personal, financial, or password data

• ask for information such as credit card numbers, bank account information, social insurance numbers, and passwords that will be used to commit fraud.

Diversion

• Meant to “divert” your attention• Lots of different scams like this• Parking lots, stores, anywhere• Always have to be cautious when a stranger

wants your attention

High Pressure door to door/condo sales

• Talk about “HIGH PRESSURE”• Idea is that you have to buy “NOW” • Anytime you are being pressured to buy NOW,

chances are you will be getting a bad deal

Identity Theft: Could it Happen to You?

• The signs can be many, but typical indicators that your identity is being used include:

• A creditor informs you that an application for credit was received with your name and address, which you did not apply for.

• Telephone calls or letters state that you have been approved or denied by a creditor that you never applied to.

• You receive credit card statements or other bills in your name, which you did not apply for.

ID theft signs

• You no longer receive credit card statements or you notice that not all of your mail is delivered.

• A collection agency informs you they are collecting for a defaulted account established with your identity and you never opened the account.

General TIPS• Watch out for products promoted by “prizes” or “free

trips” – SUCKERS LIST• Resist pressure to act immediately• Don’t buy on impulse• Before buying or investing, check with family and friends

or attorney• Do not give your credit card over the phone unless you are

sure who you are giving it to• Do not give personal information over the phone

More TIPS

• You can contact the Better Business Bureau at 416-323-9946 or www.mwco.bbb.org or the Consumer Protection Branch at 1 800 889 9768 or infomcs@ontario.ca to find out about a business, to make a complaint about a business and to receive general tips.

If It

Sounds Too

Good To Be

True

IT IS!

The best tip I can give you and you are the generation that made this saying:

Home Safety

• Keep all entrances well lit• Do not leave tell tale signs you are away• Install good locks and use them• Install wide angle door viewer• Never open the door to strangers• Change your routine• Do not keep large amounts of money in your home• Remove large bushes that give someone a place to

hide

• Do a neighbour buddy system where you check up on each other daily

• Ensure all ground floor windows are locked

• Have phone nearby• Consider personal alarm

Home Safety (cont’d)

What can you do if you are being abused or know someone who is?

• Call police • Call me (905) 579-1520, ext. 5624• Call Crimestoppers 1 800 222-TIPS (8477)• Tell someone • If this senior is not capable, call the Public

Guardian and Trustee at 416 314-2670 or 1 800 366-0335

Condo Safety

• Condo should have 2 locks, one a good dead bolt and the other a good chain

• A solid core door• Never open your door to a stranger – EVER!!!• A good peep hole viewer – and use it!!!• Never leave your door unlocked even for one minute• Never leave your sliding doors unlocked, even if you are on

higher floors especially if balconies are close together• Use pins, locks or rods in the frame

• Do a neighbour buddy system where you check up on each other daily

• Ensure all ground floor windows are locked

• Have phone nearby• Consider personal alarm – new one can

detect if you fall

Condo Safety (cont’d)

Proper lighting in parking lots Lock your car doors and remove your valuables from

eyesight Remove any paper work identifying your condo number Next to each phone write your condo number, address and

telephone number and anyone to call in case of emergency

Condo Safety (cont’d)

• Do a neighbour buddy system where you check up on each other daily

• Ensure all ground floor windows are locked

• Have phone nearby• Consider personal alarm – new one can

detect if you fall

Condo Safety (cont’d)

Condo Safety (cont’d)

Never buzz in someone you don’t know - refer them to the superintendent

No first name/initial on mailbox/condo door, stranger don’t need to know your gender/assume one adult is living there

Consider bending mirrors in hallways and elevators

Hallways need to be well lit

If in the elevator and a suspicious person walks in, walk out or vice versa

Make sure the emergency phone in the elevator works

• Trim trees and bushes around the building and parking lot to prevent hiding spots for criminals

• Security cameras provide surveillance and help prevent crime

• Important for management and condos owners to communicate with each other regarding safety issue

• Condo dwellers have a right to be notified of any suspicious activity – don’t worry about raising alarm

Condo Safety (cont’d)

Condo Safety (cont’d)

• Informed residents are safe guards against further crimes

• Condo security is everyone’s responsibility not just the board and management – includes residents

• After an incident or attempted incident happens debriefing can be helpful, suggestions may help prevent further incidents

• If crime becomes a major issue in your condo, consider professional security consultants

Have a fire extinguisher available and know how to use it

Avoid using extension cords under carpets, they could fray and overheat and cause a fire

Know how to unlock security devices in the dark

Always have a flashlight available

Condo Safety (cont’d)

Know the best way out of your building in case of a fire, but have a back up plan in case that route is blocked

Never use the elevator when there is a fire Once outside make sure all your neighbours are

accounted for and tell the fire department if there is someone that is missing

Condo Safety (cont’d)

• Have your keys in hand before reaching your car

• Upon approaching your vehicle be aware of your surroundings.

• Check under the vehicle from a distance to make sure that no one is hiding under your car. As you move closer, be alert to other vehicles parked close by.

SAFETY TIPS: Underground Parking

Underground Parking (con’td)

• If there is a group of individuals near your car, do not attempt to approach your car, immediately contact security officer for an escort.

• If your car looks odd or perhaps has a flat tire, leave at once and seek help.

• Visually check the front and rear passenger compartments before entering. If you have a hatchback, check the rear compartment as well.

Underground Parking (con’td)

• Consider installing a remote car starter. As you approach your vehicle in a parking lot, activate the signal to start your car. Many car starters illuminate the parking lights as they start. This might deter an aggressor who might think that there is someone else in the car waiting for you.

• When parking in any type of lot, try to park close to a walkway or building entrance. Always avoid parking far away from others.

• Be aware of your environment before exiting your vehicle. Turn off your engine, listen for any sounds. Use your mirrors to help scan the area.

Underground Parking (con’td)

Never assume

Just because you have security, never assume you are 100% safe – your

safety starts with you