Personal Safety Tips

Teach your children:

• Their full name
• Their address
• Their telephone number
• How to call 911 in an emergency

It's okay to say no to an adult if:

• The adult makes them feel uncomfortable or wanted them to something they feel is bad
• To always say no if they are invited alone into anyone's home, car or office:
  • Unless their mother of father told you it is okay to go that day and they know where you are
  • To follow this rule even with people they know well

Do not approach a vehicle - even if they ask for help or directions

• Stay away from cars occupied by strangers

Where to go for help if you're not around:

• Trusted neighbours, friends
• To run to other people or lighted areas if they are being followed
• To ask a store clerk for assistance

Youth Against Violence - Gang and Youth Contact Line

The “Youth Against Violence - Gang & Youth Contact Line” is a telephone line where you can call to get help or leave information about violence and crimes. You can call anytime, day or night.

It's a safe and confidential way to help and share information to prevent crimes. If you want to leave your name and number, a youth police office will call you back. If you don't want someone to return your call, an officer will investigate the information you leave.

Call the “Youth Against Violence - Gang & Youth Contact Line” if you feel threatened or scared or don't know what to do. Call to report things before they happen or to prevent someone from getting hurt. Call to say “someone has a weapon” or “there is going to be a fight”. Remember, no one ever has to know you called - it's totally anonymous.

• 1- 800-680-4264
• Youth Against Violence Line

Here are some things you can do to reduce the chances of being victimized:

Basic Street Sense ‐ Be Aware

• Victims often fail to pay attention to their surroundings.
• Stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.

Project Strength

• Send the message that you are calm, confident and know where you’re going.
• Don’t appear to be confused or lost.
• Keep your head up, know your surroundings and know where to go for help if you need it. For example a store, or simply an area with a lot of people and activity around.
• If you feel you are being followed don’t go home. Cross the street. Go to a safe place such as an open business premise, a service station or the nearest home and call the police.
• Avoid distractions like cell phones and head phones.
• (Cell phones are useful to carry for emergencies).
• Plan your route to avoid isolated and poorly lit areas.
• Walk near the curb away from alleys and doorways.
•  Don’t overburden yourself with heavy parcels or a Bulky purse.
•  Use a money belt or pouch to conceal valuables.

Cycling or Jogging

• Go with a friend and avoid isolated area
• Vary your route – don’t be predictable
• Identify places of refuge along your route in case of emergency
• Wear reflective gear if you’re out at night
• Carry a bicycle repair kit and know how to complete minor repairs

On Public Transit

• Avoid isolated or poorly lit transit stops
• Sit near the driver and stay alert – don’t fall asleep
• If someone bothers you, state firmly and loudly “Leave me alone”. Advise the driver immediately.
• If someone follows you off the bus walk to where other people are.
• If you are in a residential area, go to the nearest house and ask them to call police.
• When travelling late at night, the driver may be able to let you off closer to your stop. Ask if this service is available

Safety for Persons with Disabilities

• Carry medical and emergency contact numbers
• Do not hang bags on your wheel chair or scooter or place them in the basket in front of you where they can be easily taken.
• Affix reflectors to your wheelchair or scooter and install a bell or horn
• Fasten a small pole with a flag to your wheelchair or scooter at the 5' level to make you more visible.
• Install a 180 degree peephole in your door at your eye level

Safety for Women

• Carry cash, credit cards, driver’s license, house keys etc. in an inside jacket pocket or other concealed place.
• Never leave your purse unattended at work, in shopping carts or in restaurants.
• Don’t list your first name or salutation in the phonebook, lobby buzzer panels or your answering machine.

Elevator Safety

• Check the elevator before you enter. If a person inside makes you feel uncomfortable don’t get in.
• Get off the elevator if another passenger makes you feel unsafe.
• If you are attacked hit the alarm button and yell for help.

On Holiday

• Don’t put your home address on luggage tags.
• Review travel advisories before you depart at the Department of Foreign Affairs an International Trade Website
• Carry minimal cash
• Carry money, passports, visas and other important documents concealed on your person.
• Wear minimal jewelry.

In Your Home

• Do not leave tell tale signs that your are away.
• Don't keep large amounts of cash at home.
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Install good locks and always use them.
• Install a wide-angle door viewer which permits you to see callers before you open the door.
• Keep entrances and garages well lit at night.
• Mark valuables for identification. Your community policing station can lend you an engraver.
• Never leave a stranger unattended in your home.
• Never open the door to strangers without credentials.

Safety In Your Vehicle

• Be cautious of any stranger approaching your vehicle. If you feel you are in danger, press the horn repeatedly in short blasts to attract attention.
• Do not pick up hitchhikers.
• Have keys in hand so you do not have to linger before entering your car.
• If you are driving at night, use well-lit streets and parking lots that are open for easy observation.
• Plan and know your route before you leave, whether it is for a short drive in the city or a long trip in the country.
• Remember to keep your vehicle locked at all times, whether moving or parked.
• View the interior of your car before getting in to make sure no one is hiding inside even if the doors are locked.

What if... Your Vehicle Breaks down in an Isolated Area

• Pull your vehicle off the road so you will be out of the traffic.
• Raise the hood of your vehicle.
• Should a passing motorist stop, stay in your car and ask him/her to send help back to you.
• Stay in the car with all doors locked and windows rolled up.
• Turn on the emergency four way flasher.
• Wait for help to come to you - a patrolling police car or another motorist.

Senior Safety Tips

• Both partners have a responsibility to learn self-care shopping, meal preparation and house cleaning.
• Seniors can be vulnerable to abuse if they have little knowledge or understanding of their financial situation. It is important to assume some responsibility for knowing how to manage finances.
• Maintain independence and self-sufficiency for as long as possible.
• Participate in social activities as much as possible with friends as well as family members.
• Prepare and revise your Will before beginning your retirement years and with the death of a spouse or family member who is named in your Will - preferably with the help of a lawyer.
• Keep legal documents current and advise family members where to locate them.
  
  

Elder Abuse

Most of Canada's elderly enjoy strong healthy ties with their families, friends and care givers. But a significant number of older adults are not happy or safe, and are being victimized in their homes by family members, informal care givers, friends and landlords.

Elder Abuse falls into three categories.

• Material Property Abuse: Illegal or unethical exploitation of funds, assets or property belonging to an older person, such as coercing them to sign over power of attorney or stealing from an older person in care facilities.
• Physical Abuse: Inflicting pain or discomfort by physical assault, rough handling, restraint, coercion, sexual molestation, and under or over medication.
• Psychological Abuse: Inflicting anguish by insulting, humiliating, intimidating, infantilizing, ignoring, frightening, isolating, removing decision making powers, withholding love and denying access to grandchildren.

Neglect is also considered abuse. Neglect can vary from active neglect such as denial of necessities such as food and health care to passive neglect, such as failure to give proper care because of ignorance and infirmity.

Banks & Money Scams

A number of tactics are used by criminals to steal money from seniors. These include investment scams, purse/wallet snatching, robbing mail boxes, breaking and entering and impersonating financial officers.

Preventive Tips

• Cheques and Money Orders: Do not carry large amounts of cash - if you need to carry large amounts consider using bank drafts, money orders or cheques.
• Credit Cards: Always sign a new credit card when you receive it. Always destroy old cards. Never provide anyone with your credit card number unless you initiate the transaction i.e. a telephone purchase.
• Direct Deposit: Consider having payments you receive on a regular basis such as pension cheques and dividends deposited directly to your account. Not only is this more convenient as you do not have to make a special trip to the bank, your money also starts earning interest immediately. Many criminals, including con artists, are aware that seniors receive their pension cheques at the end of the month and direct deposits are a good crime prevention technique.
• Monthly Bills: Pay monthly bills such as telephone and hydro at a financial institution.
• Safety Deposit Boxes Consider storing stocks, bonds, jewelry and other valuables in a safety deposit box. Not only will your valuables be safer but they will also be together in one convenient location so you will always know their exact whereabouts.

Charity

With all the charities presently pursuing the public's dollar, it is at times difficult to know which organizations to donate to or if they are even legitimate. Preventive Tips:

• Ask for the organization's charitable registration number. All registered charities have one.
• Be wary of telephone campaigns. Find out how much of the money actually goes to the charity.
• It may be wise to consider a policy of donating to recognized charities that represent causes which you or your group believe in.
• Question organizations who say they “will come right by to pick up your cheque.” Ask them for their address and check if they are legitimate, then mail them the cheque. Phone the Better Business Bureau to determine their legitimacy.

Building & Housekeeping

Sooner or later, every homeowner faces the problems of hiring somebody to do repair or improvement work around the house.

Preventative Tips - Beware of Persons:

• Who demand an unreasonable down payment “to buy materials.” All reputable contractors maintain charge accounts with their suppliers.
• Who knock on the door to tell you they just happened to be doing some work in the area and can give you a ‘special price'.
• Who knock on your door and then will not give you a business card when requested.
• Who promise a discount if you allow them to use your home “to advertise our work” The same offer will have been made to everyone.
• Who quote a price without seeing the job.
• Who refuse to give you a written contract specifying exactly what they say they will do.
• Who's only address is a post office box, a telephone number, or the address of their answering machine.

Reporting Scams & Attempted Fraud

Email, telephone and mail scams are reported by phone. If you live in White Rock, call the detachment front counter at 778-545-4800 to make a report.

If you have not lost any money and have not provided personal or financial information and you simply want to inform the appropriate organizations, contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (CAFC) by calling 888-495-8501 (Option 3), or visiting the Anti-fraud Centre.

Fraud

In British Columbia, there are a number of laws which protect consumers from unfair business practices. Preventive Tips:

• Always keep records of such things as bill, contacts, canceled cheques, and warranties.
• Avoid miracle cures, laboratory tests and mail order clinics usually found in magazine ads. There are no miracle cures for cancer, arthritis or any other disease. Bogus medical treatment offered through the mail should be reported to your physician or local medical authorities.
• Be suspicious of retirement estate advertisements in papers, magazines and brochures. A quick call to a reputable Realtor or the Better Business Bureau may save you financial grief.
• Be wary of door-to-door salespeople. Do not allow yourself to be pushed into buying something you don't really need or want. Take a day to think about it.
• Be wary of something-for-nothing or get-rich-quick schemes.
• Before you buy anything, find out what the store policy is about defective goods, repairs and returns.
• Do not rush into something involving your money or property.
• If you do not know the seller, check with your local consumer group or the Better Business Bureau.
• Never sign a contract before you read and understand it. Do not sign a blank contract that a salesperson says will be filled in at a later date.
• Read the contract; ask the salesperson to explain all the costs involved.
• Shop around - always get at least 3 estimates on major purchases or service contracts.

Identity Theft

Identity theft has become an increasingly popular crime in Canada as a result of recent advances in technology. Identity theft involves stealing or hijacking the identity of another person - or in some cases of a business - and provides an effective means to commit other crimes.

Vital information such as name, address, date of birth, social insurance number, and mother's maiden name need to be acquired in order to complete the impersonation. The identity thief can take over the victim's financial accounts, open new bank accounts, transfer bank balances, apply for loans, credit cards and other services, purchase vehicles, take vacations and so on.

Tips to Reduce Identity Theft

• Always shred documents which contain any personal information - Never leave receipts at bank machines, in trash cans or anywhere else. Destroy all paper work you no longer need.
• Avoid keeping a written record of your bank PIN number, social insurance number and computer passwords, and never keep this information in your wallet or purse.
• Avoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions or surveys offering instant prizes or awards designed for the purpose of obtaining your personal details including credit card numbers.
• Cancel credit cards you do not use regularly and keep a list of the ones you do use.
• Get caller ID on your phone and do not answer any number you do not recognize. Let these calls go to call answering and listen to them later. If you do not talk to the fraudster, you can not be scammed.
• Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards and any discrepancies in your monthly statements to the issuing credit card company.
• Never loan your credit cards to anyone.
• Never provide personal information such as Social Insurance Number, date of birth, credit card numbers or PIN over the telephone unless you initiate the call.
• Photo copy the contents of your wallet - Do both sides of each license, credit card etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
• Promptly remove mail from your 'secure' mailbox after delivery and do not leave pieces of mail lying around your residence or work site.
• Shred or otherwise destroy pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bills and related information when no longer needed.
• Sign all credit cards when you receive them. You can also indicate on the back photo id required.
• Use an RFID wallet to protect smart cards.

If Your Purse / Wallet Is Lost or Stolen

1. Cancel all cards immediately.
2. File a police report in the jurisdiction where your purse/wallet was lost or stolen. This will show the credit card providers that you were diligent.
3. Call the national credit reporting organizations immediately. It is important to place a fraud alert on your name and SIN number. This alert will flag your information to any company who checks your credit, advising them your information was lost or stolen. They have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
   1. Equifax Canada 800-465-7166
   2. Trans Union of Canada 866-525-0262
   3. Human Resources Development Canada 800-206-7218 (Select Option Number 3)