Elderly Shoppers Warned of Holiday Store Crime
Expert Thieves May Pose as Good Samaritans or Store Employees
Oct 27, 2009
Seasonal thieves target elderly persons – particularly females – as easy victims. Elderly people often have mobility problems and most don't see as well as they used to. The frail appearance and inattention of older persons makes seniors particularly vulnerable to crime.
Seniors can easily fall victim to purse-snatching thieves and pick-pockets in shopping centers, malls, or other public places. It's not just the grab-and-run thief that scores big during the holidays. A thief can pose as a Good Samaritan, store clerk or cashier.
Reducing Elderly Crime in Parking Lots
An elderly person can reduce the chance of becoming a crime victim. Mall and grocery store parking lots are prime areas for elderly crime, especially during early morning hours and times when there are fewer customers. What should an elderly man or woman do to lessen the chances of becoming a victim of a robbery in public?
- Take a companion along on the shopping trip.
- Consider using a walking cane or mobility device as a weapon if necessary, or carry an umbrella.
- Elderly men and women that don't use a cane might consider carrying one for protection.
- Don't carry large amounts of cash.
- Take only the cash or checkbook or credit card(s) needed and leave the extra cards and money at home.
- Leave personal information cards at home.
- Don't write a PIN number on a credit/debit card or in a checkbook. Don't carry a PIN in a wallet or purse.
- Park close to the store entrance.
- Avoid shopping after dark or early in the morning.
- Don't carry a wallet in a back pocket (or at least button the pocket).
- Women should carry a purse that can be zipped close (as opposed to one that has drawstrings or a single snap opening).
- Be cautious about accepting help from strangers eager to load groceries or packages into a car.
Prevent Crime to Elderly Shoppers Inside a Store
Elderly consumers are vulnerable to crimes committed by parking lot and street thieves. Stores present opportunities for employees to steal from elderly shoppers, too. Malls hire temporary help for the holidays, but a clean employee background is no guarantee of honesty. In addition to the above-mentioned tips for preventing elderly shopping crimes, how can an elderly person guard against becoming a victim of theft inside a store?
- Watch out for Good Samaritan customers that appear overly anxious to help.
- Women should never leave a purse unattended in a shopping cart.
- Never let a credit card out of sight.*
- Have a companion help watch the checkout transaction.
- Always get a receipt for the sale. If the register is out of printing tape, then get a signed written receipt from the store manager.
- Avoid crowded areas – good places for pick-pockets and package thieves.
- Never leave a purse or packages unattended in a restaurant or food court area.
- Don't give in to a distraction that might give a thief the opportunity to slip a wallet out of an open purse.
- Periodically take a break from shopping to see if a wallet, checkbook, or credit card(s) is still intact.
- At home, keep a journal of everything that was purchased and include the date. Paperclip receipts to the page for matching to credit statements when the bills arrive. Make notes about the shopping trip to prompt the memory in case the information should be needed for some reason later on.
*Todd Davis, CEO of Lifelock ID Theft Prevention warns consumers how easy it is to steal a person's money and identity. In an article published in the November/December issue of AAA Auto Club South magazine (p. 45), titled "Help Protect Your Identity This Holiday Season", Davis states, "A second is all the time a dishonest clerk needs to swipe your card twice – once through the credit machine and once through a card reader that stores your card information for later use."
Thieves target elderly people who have mobility problems and shop alone. Purse-snatchers and pick-pockets are the most common crimes, but experienced thieves can pose as store personnel or a helpful shopper. An elderly shopper can reduce the risk of identity theft by having a companion keep a watchful eye for dishonest activity. Elderly people can follow tips to prevent identity theft and take precautions that will ensure a safe shopping trip especially during the holidays.
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