Seniors

It is estimated that by the year 2026, more than 130,000 people over the age of 65 will reside in Halton region, the majority of whom will be living on their own or with family.

Although Halton is the safest regional municipality in Canada in which to live, work, play, and raise a family, some older adults will find themselves the targets and/or victims of crime.

The most common types of crime against seniors are:

• Property crime
• Financial crime
• Physical crime

Property Crime

Property crime makes up nine out of 10 of crimes against older adults. It is defined as any crime where money and/or valuables are damaged or stolen from a person, home or business without direct personal contact with the victim.

Property crimes against older adults can include:

• Burglary
• Auto theft
• Petty theft

Victims of property crime suffer financial losses and may feel violated. In some cases, victims continue to feel unsafe long after the crime has been committed.

Prevent Property Crime in Your Home

• Install timers on lights so they turn on and off at certain times
• Trim back hedges and bushes (especially around windows and doors) to make your home more visible from the street
• Ask a neighbour to watch your property and to collect mail and newspapers left at your doorstep when you are away
• Install video surveillance

Prevent Theft While Shopping

• Before leaving your home to go shopping, remove any items you will not use from your wallet and/or purse. This way, if a theft occurs, a criminal will obtain less information from you.
• Store all purchases in the trunk of your car to deter criminals from breaking in. Your car is safer if it appears empty.
• When walking through shopping centres, keep all purchases, purses, and wallets in front of your body to reduce opportunities for theft.

Prevent Auto Theft

• Always lock your car doors. This is the number one determining factor for auto theft and the most commonly forgotten precaution taken by owners.
• Roll up all windows when not in your vehicle
• Never leave your keys in the ignition or your vehicle running when you are not in it
• Park in well-lit and attended areas
• Consider installing a security or tracking system in your vehicle
• For more auto theft tips, click here

Additional Tips

• Plan for your future when you are well and still independent
• Make a will and review it annually
• Seek independent advice from someone you trust before signing any documents
• Have your pension and other cheques deposited directly into your bank account
• Stay active in your community and connected with family and friends. Doing so will decrease social isolation, which has been connected to elder abuse.
• Ask for help from those around you (e.g. public health nurse, church, seniors centre, friends and family) when you need it

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) and other police agencies frequently investigate fraudulent acts committed against seniors. The focus of this information will be on what is known as the “Grandparent/Family Emergency Scam”. 

How It Works

• The scam occurs over the telephone and targets the elderly
• The caller will him/herself as the elderly victim’s grandchild or other family member, sometimes by name, or sometimes by just saying, “Hi”, or, “It’s me”
• The caller will wait for the victim to respond with something to the effect of, “Oh John. Is that you?”, thereby identifying the family member for the fraudster
• It is believed that in the instances where the caller identifies him/herself by a family member's name without prompting, the information was obtained from published sources such as obituaries, classifieds, and social networking websites
• The caller usually indicates that they have been involved in a car accident or have been arrested and charged with a criminal offence and is thus in urgent need of cash to cover legal fees
• After the money is sent via a money transfer service, the fraudsters sometimes call back citing any number of reasons for requiring additional money, including, but not limited to, hospital bills and car repairs
• There may be other variations to this scam

Tips to Avoid Becoming a “Grandparent/Family Emergency” Victim

• Ask the caller for a call back number. This gives you time to verify information. Be very suspicious if the caller refuses.
• Ask the caller a personal question that only your grandchild or other family member could answer such as their date of birth
• Speak to another family member about the matter before sending any money or enquire with police

On a real dating site, a scammer might send you messages and an attractive photo of themselves or of someone they claim to be. They form a relationship with you and make you believe their feelings are mutual.

Once you are charmed, they will start asking you to send money. They may claim to have a very sick family member or be in a desperate situation for which they need your help. Once you give them money, they will often disappear or keep requiring additional funds.

Fraudsters can also create fake dating sites where you pay for every message you send and receive. To keep you writing back and paying, the scammer may hook you in with vague emails about their love and desire for you.

In many cases, the scammer may even arrange to meet you in person to make their fraud seem more credible.

Tips to Avoid Becoming a “Romance Scam” Victim

• Never send money or give financial details on a dating site
• Trust your instincts, ask questions, and carefully read the terms and conditions before signing up for a dating site
• Before signing up for a dating site, ensure you know which services are free, which ones cost money, and what it takes to cancel your account
• Make sure you only use legitimate and reputable dating sites. Always check website addresses carefully as scammers often mimic real web addresses
• Remember that it is very unlikely that someone will declare their undying love to anyone after only a few messages, emails, phone calls, or pictures
• Always protect your money first
• Never send Google Play Cards and/or Bitcoin

Watch the below video which explains Romance Scams in detail:

In this scam, fraudsters will contact you and state that there is some sort of problem or emergency and that they require you to send them a payment using a form of cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoin).

The people running these scams request these payments in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency to hide their true identity and make it harder to recover the funds. It is important to note that police and banks have no authority to seize control of crypto and/or bank accounts. Cryptocurrency is not regulated or insured by the Bank of Canada.

Common scams can include:

• A warrant for your arrest has been issued
• You haven’t paid enough taxes
• There are pending immigration fines
• There are outstanding police or legal fees
• “Emergency” situations
• An online romantic interest starts requesting money
• Requirements to claim lottery winnings, and
• Deposits and/or payments on property

The Canada Revenue Agency, Immigration Canada, the Police, or Canadian Government will never ask for cryptocurrency as a form of payment.

Protect yourself: Never send money to anyone you have not met in person.

If you suspect you are being scammed, hang up the phone and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or report the incident via the Halton Regional Police Service's non-emergency line at 905-825-4777.

Watch the below video which explains Emergency Scams in detail:

Fraudsters call potential victims claiming to be a financial institution or a major credit card provider. The fraudsters then inform the individual that they are investigating unauthorized activity on their account and ask for their assistance in catching the criminal. By gaining remote access to the person's device or computer, the fraudsters will claim to put money into their account so that they can send bait money.

Unfortunately, the funds being deposited to the victim’s account are actually being withdrawn from their other accounts; the money sent instead goes directly to the fraudsters.

Warning Signs - How to Protect Yourself

• Financial institutions will never ask for assistance from the public for internal investigations
• Financial institutions will never call you with requests to exchange personal information or share the Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your financial cards 
• Financial institutions will also never ask you to transfer money to an external account or send someone to pick up your financial cards with PINs
• Never provide remote access to your device to unknown callers
• Always make sure you are alert when dealing with finances
• Never provide personal or financial information over the phone unless you called your financial institution
• Don’t purchase Google Play, iTunes or gift cards, or use Bitcoin for payment. These items are not legal tender. Once you share the code on a gift card, it cannot be recovered or traced.
• Check your bank statement frequently and report any irregularities to your bank as soon as you notice them.

If you have been the victim of fraud, please call the Halton Regional Police Service non-emergency line at 905-825-4777 or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

To learn more, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website, here.

Watch the below video which explains Investigator Scams in detail:

Regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, race, and/or marital status, confidence ("con") artists share a few things in common. They all offer deals to help you, get you something you need for a good price or even make you rich. All are linked by a shared knowledge of human nature and are adept at exploiting it to their advantage.

While each con game is unique, the Halton Regional Police Service Financial Crimes Unit has identified a few common types of cons/swindles: false lotteries, fake charities, bogus contests and vacation deals, inheritance scams, credit and debit card fraud, and identity theft.

How Con Artists/Fraudsters Get Your Information

Criminals have many sources. They might steal your wallet or personal documents left in your vehicle. They may also pilfer from mailboxes and rifle through recycling bins. Some companies have been known to make a profit by selling your information (e.g. address, name, phone number, etc.).

Criminals have been known to use false names to avoid capture by the authorities. Often, by the time someone realizes they have been a victim of fraud, the criminals have moved on to another identity or con, making them even more difficult to track.

Tips to Prevent Debit Card Fraud

• Always cover the keypad when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) at any terminal. Doing so will not only deter criminals from defrauding you, but demonstrate that you know they are out there and that you refuse to be their victim.
• Avoid using a password number linked to you such as your birthday or address
• Never write your PIN on your card or on a piece of paper in your wallet. This makes it easy for criminals to access your information.
• Always shred personal information, including bank or credit card statements, receipts, insurance forms, and/or physician statements

Avoid Credit Card Fraud

As credit card use on the Internet increases, so too do incidents of credit card fraud.

• Always check your financial statements. Doing so will ensure you are aware of your financial situation and that you will notice if your credit has been compromised.
• When expecting a new credit card or financial record through the mail, know approximately when it was mailed and when you might expect to receive it. This will help stop criminals from going through your mail and stealing information without your knowledge.

While these tips may seem basic, credit card companies report that few people actually take these simple precautions.

Internet Over-Payment Fraud

In this type of fraud, a seller posts an item(s) for sale online. A buyer contacts the seller and arrangements are made to purchase the product. The buyer then sends the seller a cashier’s cheque or money order for an amount greater than the price of the merchandise.

From here, the buyer directs the seller to cash the cheque and wire the excess funds to either the buyer or a third party. The seller, believing the cheque to be genuine, deposits it and then wires the amount of the overpayment as directed.

It is usually after the funds have been wired that the cashier’s cheque or money order is returned as counterfeit. The bank then holds the seller responsible for the amount of the fraudulent cheque, leaving the seller defrauded of both the money and the product. 

• Be suspicious if the cheque amount you receive is greater than the agreed upon price of the merchandise you are selling
• Current technology has improved the quality of counterfeit cheques and therefore makes them more difficult to detect. Be wary if the cheque is drawn from an out-of-country bank account.
• Never agree to accept a cheque for an inflated amount and to reimburse the balance
• Never agree to wire bank funds to the buyer or forward the funds to a third party
• Know who you are dealing with when conducting transactions over the Internet and confirm the personal information of the buyer
• Do not succumb to any pressure at the hands of the buyer or feel you have to complete a transaction when you are not comfortable

Lottery Scams

The primary thing to say to yourself when contacted by someone who tells you that you are a big winner or have the chance of a lifetime is, if it sounds too good to be true, chances are, it is. If you have legitimately won a lottery, you will never have to pay anything to receive your windfall. Be very cautious when being told you have won a contest you do not recall entering. Your name may be on a list that has been sold.

Watch the below video which explains Canada Revenue Scams in detail:

Always protect your banking Personal Identification Number (PIN). By taking the following precautions, you can help protect yourself from this increasingly common type of fraud.

Protect Yourself from “Shoulder Surfers” and Distraction Thefts

• Be mindful of your surroundings when at bank machines and paying for store-bought items
• Check to see who is standing around you and how close they are. Criminals will often stay close to you while you withdraw money from ATMs or pay for items in store, looking over your shoulder to see your PIN
• Be mindful as you leave the bank or the store. Notice who is approaching you and why. Criminals will often stop victims in the parking lot and engage them in some form of conversation. While speaking with/distracting them, someone else will steal their wallet or bank cards.

Take the Following Steps

• Cover the keypad when entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Doing so will not only deter criminals from defrauding you, but demonstrate that you know they are out there and that you refuse to be their victim.
• Avoid using a password number linked to you such as a birthday or address
• Never write your PIN on your card or on a piece of paper in your wallet. This makes it easy for criminals to access your information.
• Always shred personal information, including bank and credit card statements and receipts. Protect your PIN or use tap when possible.

If you have been the victim of fraud, please call the Halton Regional Police Service non-emergency line at 905-825-4777.

Money transfer scams are on the rise. Be very careful when someone offers you money to help transfer funds. Once you send money to someone, it can be very difficult - if not impossible - to get it back.

The following information is provided courtesy of the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

What to Look For

Money transfer scams have been on the rise in Canada since the 1990s. Although many of these scams originated in Nigeria, similar scams have originated all over the world - particularly in parts of West Africa and Asia. These scams are increasingly referred to as advance fee fraud.

How It Works

• In the classic money transfer scam, potential victims receive an email or letter asking their help to transfer a large sum of money overseas
• They are offered a share of the money if they agree to give them their bank account details to help facilitate the transfer
• Victims are then asked to pay numerous taxes and fees before receiving their "reward"
• Individuals will never be sent any of the money and will lose the fees paid

The Inheritance Scam

• In this fraud, potential victims receive a letter from a lawyer or bank representative advising that a long-lost relative has died and left a sizable inheritance
• Scammers can tell such convincing stories that victims can be tricked into providing personal documents and banking details to confirm their identity and claim their "inheritance"
• Like the money transfer scam, the inheritance is likely to be non-existent and, in addition to losing any money sent to the scammer in fees and taxes, victims risk having their identity stolen as well

The Overpayment Scam

• If you or your business are selling products or services online or through newspaper classifieds, you may be targeted by an overpayment scam
• Here, you may receive a response to your ad with a generous offer from a potential buyer, which you accept
• You receive payment by cheque or money order but the amount is more than the agreed-upon price
• The "buyer" may tell you that the overpayment was made in error or provide a reason (e.g. the extra money was sent to cover delivery charges)
• Be suspicious if you are asked to refund the excess amount by money transfer
• The scammer is hoping you will transfer the refund before you discover that the cheque or money order they sent was counterfeit
• Any funds transferred as well as your item if you already sent it will be lost

Protect Yourself

• Remember: If you have been approached by someone asking you to transfer money for them, it is probably a scam
• Caution: Never send money, or give credit card or online account details, to anyone you do not know and trust
• Think: Don’t accept a cheque or money order for payment of goods that is more than what you agreed upon. Send it back and ask the buyer to provide payment for the agreed amount before you deliver the goods or services
• Investigate: Review the information on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website for additional tips on how to protect yourself against money transfer scams
• Ask yourself: Is it really safe to transfer money for someone I do not know?

It takes only seconds for a thief to steal your wallet or purse and a moment’s distraction can cause you weeks of stress.

Follow these safety tips to reduce the chance or your property becoming a target.

Protect Your Purse

• Leave your SIN card, passport, and birth certificate at home
• Keep your handbag with you at all times
• Never leave your purse or wallet unattended
• Keep purse zippers or snaps closed
• Be extra vigilant in crowded locations
• Keep your wallet at the bottom of your bag
• Never write down and keep PIN codes or passwords in your purse or wallet
• Have a different PIN for each credit/debit card
• Avoid carrying large amounts of money
• Bring only what you need. Don’t carry extra cards or cash with you.
• Don’t get distracted. Thieves often work in teams to distract you so they can steal your purse or wallet.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Report any suspicious activity to police.

To report a stolen purse or wallet, contact the Halton Regional Police Service at 905-825-4777. You can also file an online report at haltonpolice.ca. Remember to promptly inform your bank and credit card company of all lost or stolen cards and, if your cellphone is stolen, to contact your service provider.