Seniors Safety Tips

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Home Security

Ensure your house number is clearly visible.
Never tell anyone that you are at home alone for example trades or delivery people.
Trim trees and bushes to allow a clear view of your home (this will remove hiding places for possible offenders).
Don't leave keys in obvious places, such as under pot plants or in the meter box.
Make sure handbags and wallets are not left in sight for example on bench tops or cupboards.
Install security screens and grilles.
Fit deadlocks and key locks to doors and windows.
Install motion sensor floodlights.
Think about installing an alarm system.
Get to know your neighbours, they can be your eyes and ears if you're not at home.

Using Public Transport

Travel with a friend.
Wait for transport in a well lit area close to other commuters.
Keep a current timetable to minimise time spent waiting.
Don't sit alone on buses or trains and be sure that you can be seen by the driver or other passengers.
Consider carrying a personal alarm.

Using Your Telephone

The telephone is probably your most important means of communication, however there are some criminals in society that will use it to their advantage.

Always hang up on unwelcome callers.
Never give your name or address to unknown telephone callers.
Don't disclose that you live alone or that you may be away from your home.
Never disclose any personal or financial information.
Invest in an answering machine.
Consider changing your phone number to a silent or unlisted number.

Safer Shopping

Shop with friends whenever possible.
If you carry a purse or bag, hold it close to your body, tucked under your arm.
Always have a firm hold of your handbag or purse, don't leave it on shop counters or on the seat beside you on the bus or train.
Never leave your handbag in the shopping trolley.
Never carry large sums of money. Use EFTPOS or credit cards wherever possible.
Use an ATM in shopping centres not external ATMs.
Don't carry signed withdrawal forms with your bank book.
Always be aware of your surroundings.

Using the Internet

The web can be a fun and fascinating place for seniors to explore, but it also presents several dangers. Learning a few senior safety tips for the Internet can be an invaluable lesson; there are a few areas where web browsers should be extremely cautious.

Scams

Seniors tend to be very trusting, which makes them easy targets for scam artists. Older Internet users often face a variety of scams, and they can be easy to fall for.

Most scams either ask people for help, or offer something for nothing. Seniors who are prone to help people in need are likely to fall for the first type of scam. Anyone who hopes to get ahead in life quickly may fall for the second.

Two common internet scams are the Lottery and the offer to deposit millions into your bank account. Lottery scams claim that you have won a great prize, and all you have to do to is pay a small fee upfront. Bank account scams offer to give you millions of dollars if you help the other person get to their money by providing some capital. Both are designed to separate you from your money, and you will never receive anything in return. As with so many other things in life, a good rule of thumb is that if something sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Phishing, Anyone?

Phishing is a criminal activity in which people send phony emails to people and ask them to click on a link. These emails appear to come from reputable business: banks, insurance companies, social networking sites, etc.

The emails give the reader a reason to click the link and log in to a personal account. When the person clicks the link, they are taken to a website that seems to be the real thing. However, the site is actually an exact replica run by web smart criminals.

Once the victim logs on to the website, the criminals will have access to their user name and password. This allows the thieves to go to the actual site, log in as you, and steal any personal information you have stored, such as credit cards or bank account numbers. Phishing is a major problem, and the best way to avoid it is to always go directly to a website before entering your log in information, never clicking on a link in an e-mail.

Identity Theft

One of the biggest online dangers seniors face is identity theft. This is when people use your name, credit cards and other personal attributes to benefit themselves.

The best way to avoid identity theft is to be extremely careful with your personal information. Always watch out for scams or attempts to phish you for personal information.

When you shop online, do not supply your credit card or other personal details unless you are making a purchase from a reputable website. If you aren't certain about a particular site, go somewhere else. There are many safe and secure places to buy anything you want online.