Spring is coming (hopefully soon) and jogging can be fun, healthful, and safe when you take precautions. We would like to pass some of those precautions on to you in this newsletter.

With the number of joggers today, it is not surprising when we read in our newspapers that a man or woman was attacked and even in our more fashionable neighbourhoods. One thing to remember is that none of us is immune to crime. Crime doesn’t always happen to the other guy. It could happen to you. By “being aware” the jogger can reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.

Many joggers have the mistaken idea that because they usually do not carry large sums of money with them as they jog, they are not likely candidates for an attack. Unfortunately, that is not true. They must always be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate action to protect themselves.

One of the most serious problems for joggers is not paying attention. They become so preoccupied with the physical act of jogging that they lose touch with the moment. They are so busy concentrating on how much further they have to go and on putting one foot in front of the next, that they don’t pay attention to what is happening right here, right now.

When they allow themselves to become preoccupied, they have jeopardized their security. When they are not paying attention, it give the would-be attacker the opportunity to surprise them. Being alert and being aware is vital at all times.

1. Jog with a known companion.
2. Jog in a familiar area.
3. Do not job in a secluded area.
4. Do not jog after dark.
5. Jog facing the traffic.
6. If followed, go to the nearest house (or restaurant, or place of business) and call the police.
7. Wear bright coloured clothing to improve your visibility. If possible put "reflective" strips on your clothing or around your wrists or ankles.
8. Carry a whistle or shrill alarm to summon help, if needed.
9. Vary your routine and pattern of running.
10. Always be aware of your surroundings. Keep Alert!
11. Jog away from bushes where someone could hide.
12. Take a key with you when you jog. Don’t leave your home unlocked. Someone might be watching you and your home to see when it will be empty or unlocked.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Each year hundreds of Toronto area residents over the age of 60 fall victim to a wide variety of fly-by-night repair and investment scams. Such scams range from the sale of misidentified rare coins and the telemarketing of nonexistent oil wells to the sale of worthless or overpriced insurance policies and misrepresentations used to sell unnecessary and overpriced items. You would be surprised what is out there for them to use to get your money.

Senior citizens are easy targets for con artists. They can be vulnerable. The disproportionate victimization of older people in connection with consumer fraud is partly attributable to generational and economic factors. Seniors grew up in an era when business was done on a handshake. Further, a study has found that older people are quicker to believe promises and slower to take steps to protect their legal rights. It is also known that Old Age Pension is the main source of income for a majority of the older residents in our country. With fixed monthly pension cheques, it is nearly impossible to replenish bank accounts emptied as a result of fraud.

There are many common practices con artists use to defraud seniors, but most are a variation of thee three: telemarketing, mail and door-to-door sales. While many scams involve both mailings and telemarketing, some use all three methods. For example, many con artists will generate leads by mailing a survey to gauge interest in a product or service. Consumers who show interest, usually by returning a postcard, are then contacted by telephone or a traveling salesperson who makes the sales pitch.

We would like you to be aware of everything you sign or send. Of each person you allow into your home. If in doubt, phone a neighbour or a friend and ask their opinion. Or call a family member to look something over, or even phone your local police department to ask if they are aware of any of these scams in the area. It is very important that you follow through with these simple precautions. They could save you thousands of dollars in the end. Please do not feel any embarrassment about inquiring. And if you do feel somewhat embarrassed, better that then losing your money and/or life savings to a con artist. You will never get it back!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

verwatch@netcom.ca

 

View Our Guestbook Sign Our Guestbook

  This page accessed times.