How Seniors Can Avoid Becoming the Victim of a Thief


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Updated: June 9, 2022

don't be a victim and have medical alert just in case

Be aware of your surroundings and have a mobile medical alert system to get help fast when you need it.

Unfortunately, criminals often target senior citizens as their victims.  Typically, they are under the assumption that older individuals will be weaker and easier marks.  However, it is in your power to prove that assumption false, and avoid becoming the prey of a criminal.  First and foremost, you want to embrace a more actively observant attitude when you are out in public.  This vigilance will make you more aware of something that seems out of place or suspicious, be it a vehicle or a person.  You can then avoid the area and call the police. A medical alert device can help you get an emergency response in minutes. Check out our LifeStation reviews for more information.

One crime in which thieves tend to target older women is purse snatching.  The most common locations for this offense are shopping center parking lots, grocery stores, and bus stops.  Thankfully, there are several actions you can take to prevent having your purse snatched.  First, you should avoid making it appear easy for the criminal to grab your bag.  This means you should not place your purse in a shopping cart or on a counter, where it could be easily taken.  Furthermore, you do not want to carry your purse dangling loosely from your arm or shoulder, as not only will that make it attractive for a criminal to snatch, he or she could easily knock you over in the process, causing you injury.  Next, you should limit what you have on your person. Never carry jewelry, large amounts of cash, or all of your credit cards together in your purse.  Instead, you should carry only what you need to use that day, such as one credit card or a single check, rather than your whole checkbook. These could be carried in a small clutch purse, which is easier for you to keep a firm hold of.

Men, on the other hand, need to be concerned with becoming the victim of a pickpocket.  This frequently occurs in crowded areas, which includes buses and subways as well as sidewalks.  Therefore, it is important to keep your guard up and avoid any sorts of disturbances which a thief may use to distract you.  To be successful, a pickpocket must have easy access to your wallet, and there are several ways to avoid giving them this.  The first would be to store your wallet in your front pocket, rather than your back pocket.  The second would be to keep your belongings in a messenger bag draped in a secure fashion, diagonally over your shoulder.  Finally, you could consider using a money belt, which is a small zippered pouch with an elastic strap you wear around your waist.