ELDER ABUSE- Vulnerable Elders Can be Victimized

Adult Protective Services, an arm of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, says that it has been seeing a sharp rise in financial exploitation adult abuse. In 2017, Adult Protective Services conducted 10,713 financial exploitation investigations, almost double the number of investigations it conducted in 2012.

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) defines senior financial exploitation and fraud as …” the illegal or improper use of a senior’s resources for another’s profit or advantage.” Exploitation involves someone the senior knows, such as a family member or caregiver. Fraud is conducted by a stranger, such as a telemarketer or investment promoter.

An elder can become vulnerable to elder financial abuse due to these conditions:

·         Recent loss of a spouse or partner and/or social isolation.

·         Dependent on someone to provide everyday care, transportation, or other services.

·         Recent change in health.

·         Socially isolated, depressed or lonely.

·         Excessive anxiety about finances.

·         Pressure from children, caregivers, or others to share money or change will.

Signs of financial exploitation include:

·         Adding additional names on bank signature cards.

·         Unauthorized withdrawal of funds using an ATM card.

·         Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents.

·         Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions.

·         Bills unpaid despite having sufficient funds.

·         Forging a signature on financial transactions or for the titles of possessions.

·         Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming rights to a vulnerable adult’s possessions.

·         Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family.

Elder financial abuse does not receive much press. However, it does occur. Here is an article from The Herald about a recent case of elder abuse in Lynnwood:

The Herald:

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/he-allegedly-abandoned-his-mom-86-and-drained-her-account/

If you suspect exploitation or fraud against a vulnerable elderly person, contact Adult Protective Services at (866) 363-4276 or online at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/report-concerns-involving-vulnerable-adults.

  

Adult Protective Services:

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sesa/office-communications/media-release/adult-abuse-continues-spike-throughout-washington-state

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/adult-abuse-and-prevention

Department of Financial Institutions:

https://dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/information/warning-signs-elder-financial-abuse

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Vehicle Thefts Up by 10.3%

Car thefts are always a big concern in Puget Sound. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office reports in its Annual report for 2017 a 10.3% increase in vehicle thefts for unincorporated Snohomish County and cities that contract with the Sheriff’s Office for police services. 1,941 vehicles were stolen in 2017 and 1,760 were stolen in 2016. That’s at least 5 cars stolen in unincorporated Snohomish County every day.

Vehicle theft is often a crime of opportunity. Some factors that create opportunity for car thefts include:

·         One out of every five vehicles stolen have the keys or key fobs in them.

·         Almost half of all vehicles stolen are left unlocked.

·         Many stolen vehicles are older, such as Hondas and other vehicles, that do not have the sophisticated security measures that modern vehicles have.

Car thieves steal for one of the following reasons:

·         To sell the car or truck. This can be to sell it abroad or locally. For a foreign sale, the car will be packed in a container with false export documents to a destination that might be in Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, Africa or Southeast Asia. For a local sale, it will receive a false VIN and sold to an unsuspecting customer. It could also be dismantled and sold for parts.

·         To go somewhere. Often a car thief needs transportation to and from somewhere.

·         To commit another crime. If police see a suspicious vehicle, the registration does not lead to the thief. Often, stolen cars used in a crime are found abandoned.

What to do to prevent your car from being stolen?

·         Take your keys with you. Don’t hide them, car thieves know all the hiding places.

·         Lock your car. Don’t make it easy.

·         Park in a well-lighted area.

·         Don’t leave anything visible in your car.

For more about car theft prevention, look at the following links:

Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA):

https://www.waautotheftpreventionauthority.org/

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5804

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/53146/2017-Annual-Report

IRS SCAMS- IRS Scams Continue Throughout the Year

The IRS warns that IRS scammers work throughout the year, not just during tax season.

In an alert, the tax agency summarized the current common tax scams that have been reported to it. The basics of how the scammers work to con you out of your money remain the same, scare you into acting without thinking to “solve” a made up serious problem and demanding immediate payment with gift cards or wire transfers which cannot be traced or reversed.

The IRS does report twists to this game that try to catch you unaware,

·         Verify Call Scam- A scammer calls you claiming to be from the local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). If the you question the caller’s legitimacy, he will have you look up the phone number of the local TAC, then he hangs up. After a few minutes, he calls again, using the local TAC’s phone number on caller ID, resuming his demands for immediate payment. If you do look up the number, call it and ask for the agent who called you.

·          Refund email- Scammers might send you an email claiming to be about a refund owed to you and asking you to verify some information at a link. These are phishing emails designed to steal your personal information and/or install malware onto your computer.

·         Erroneous Refund Deposit- You may receive a call from a scammer claiming that the IRS has erroneously deposited a refund in your bank account. He will demand that you pay his collection agency. Sometimes the IRS does pay refunds to the wrong people. And being the IRS, it has a procedure to follow if you wrongly receive a refund. Look up Tax Topic Number 161- Returning an Erroneous Refund for instructions.

For more information about IRS scams, go to the following links,

Internal Revenue Service:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scamsconsumer-alerts

Tax Topic Number 161- Returning an Erroneous Refund:

https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc161

MAIL THEFT PREVENTION- Informed Delivery by the US Postal Service

Mail theft continues to be a problem. Two ways you can use to protect your mail from theft is to use a locking mailbox and to pick up your mail as soon after delivery as you can.

The Postal Service offers an Informed Delivery service that tells you what mail is on the way to your mailbox. In a daily email, the Postal Service can show you a greyscale image of the exterior of any letter sized mail. This allows you to be alerted to any important mail that may have sensitive account or other information that is on the way to your mailbox. With Informed Delivery you can also track packages that will be delivered by your letter carrier.

For more information on Informed Delivery and to sign up for this free service go to this link,

US Postal Service:

https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action

https://uspsblog.com/informed-delivery-online/

SKIMMING AND SHIMMING- Two Forms of Identity Theft

You have probably heard of skimming, where an identity thief uses a device attached to an ATM or gas pump to collect your credit or debit card account information. The ID thief attaches a reader that looks like it fits in with the ATM or gas pump. The reader collects the information from users of the ATM/gas pump, then the ID thief discretely comes by to collect that information for his/her own use or to sell to others.

Recent information has come out that at least gas pump manufacturers are trying to respond to the threat of skimming. According to the San Antonio Police Department, so far this year they have found more than 100 skimming devices in area fuel pumps. While that is more than the total found in 2017, they noted to the security blog Krebs on Security that more of the skimmers were found in older pumps that have vertical card readers and flat, membrane-based keypads. The police department did not find skimmers on newer pumps that have horizontal card readers and raised metallic keypads. The newer pumps also have other security features that make it difficult for an unauthorized person to gain access to the pump.

Skimmers rarely have an obvious sign that they have been attached to an ATM or gas pump. At gas pumps, look for newer pumps with the horizontal card readers and the raised metallic keypads. Also, check the reader and other areas of the pump, or ATM, for loose parts, indicating that someone has added unauthorized equipment.

ID thieves have found a way to get around the new chip bankcards, sort of. The idea of the chip is to make the information that is transacted between the vendor and the financial institution more secure. ID thieves have found a way to insert a paper thin “shim” into POS card readers that you might find at a fast food restaurant or a grocery store. The shim can read the information on the magnetic tape portion of the card. While the shim can read the tape, it still cannot read the information from the chip. The difference is that the ID thief can collect your account information for use in online transactions but cannot create a counterfeit card that will work with a pin reader.

Like skimmers, a shim is extremely difficult to detect visually. After all, the shim is inserted into the slot where you slide you card. Security experts do point out that sometimes POS terminals with shims may have some resistance when you insert your card. So, look for that resistance when you insert your card.

And if you suspect that an ATM, gas pump, or POS card reader has a skimmer or shim, contact the vendor.

For more about skimmers and shimmers, check out the following links,

Skimmers-

Krebs on Security:

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/06/how-to-avoid-card-skimmers-at-the-pump/

Freeport, TX Police Department:

https://www.facebook.com/jesus.diaz.16503/videos/2295301470487851/UzpfSTE4ODk4NzA1NDc5MDUxNDU6MjU3ODA3MTMyMjQxODM5NA/

Shimmers-

KIRO TV:

http://amp.kiro7.com/www.kiro7.com/news/trending-now/howshimming-can-steal-your-credit-card-data/745250936?__twitter_impression=true

Krebs on Security:

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/08/chip-card-atm-shimmer-found-in-mexico/

CreditCards.com:

https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/new-card-skimming-is-called-shimming.php

CRIME PREVENTION- 9:00pm Routine

Good crime prevention often involves habits. Getting into the habit of locking your doors when you leave your house. Having the habit of locking your car door when you leave it to go into a store or a restaurant.

Police departments throughout the country are trying a gentle reminder to encourage all of us to get into the habit of locking our car doors and taking out anything that we might have left in it at night before we go to bed. They send a nightly tweet at about 9pm on week days with the hashtag #9PMROUTINE to remind citizens to lock things up.

Car prowlers are a problem at night in residential areas. Being sure to take out anything in the car and locking it will encourage most car prowlers and car thieves to go someplace else for an easier target. #9PMROUTINE targets those crimes by encouraging all of us to take simple measures to protect our property.

Local police departments that are experimenting with this campaign include those from Snohomish, Renton, and Puyallup. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida claims a 30 percent decrease in car prowls in the past year because of this campaign in their county.

Modern crime prevention has long relied on cooperation between the public and local law enforcement agencies. Being sure to take everything out of your car and locking it will save bigger problems in the future from a car prowl or a car theft.

KOMO TV:

http://komonews.com/news/local/renton-police-turn-to-social-media-reminders-to-fight-property-crime

Fox 13, Tampa, Florida:

http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/9pmroutine-cuts-burglaries-in-pasco-co

SUMMER BOATING- Be Sure to Boat Safely While on the Water

Every summer we see the headlines about boating accidents that injure or kill people having fun on the water. Reasons for the tragedies can include reckless boating, not wearing life jackets, drinking while boating (known as Boating Under the Influence, BUI) among others.

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Marine Services Unit recommends you do the following when you go boating:

·         Know the waterway. Stumps, sand and gravel bars, deadheads etc. can stop or sink your boat.

·         File a float plan with a relative or a friend so that they can call 911 if you do not return when expected.

·         Wear a life jacket.

·         Take a seat, DO NOT ride on the bow, gunwales or transoms of your boat.

·         Take a course and carry your boater education card.

·         Don’t drink and boat.

For more about boater safety, go to,

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=479

United States Coast Guard:

http://www.uscgboating.org/

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Crime Prevention Newsletter, Calling 911

TRAIL CAR PROWLS- Three Snohomish Car Prowlers Caught in Okanogan County

According to the Methow Valley News, three suspected car prowlers were apprehended in Mazama for a series of car prowls at trail heads in the area. The alleged car prowlers were from Everett, Sultan, and Lake Stevens. The car prowlers took cash, credit/debit cards, and computers.

Reports of car prowls at trail heads began in early June. In a cooperative effort between the U.S. Forest Service and the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified a red Pontiac which eventually lead to an arrest of the three suspects in Mazama. Investigators recovered other people’s property in the car including driver’s licenses, checkbooks, credit/debit cards, a laptop computer and clothing.

When we go into the mountains for a hike, we may not think of the trail as a place for a property crime like a car prowl.  But it can happen at a trail head just as easily as in the mall parking lot or overnight in front of your house. Trail head parking lots often do not have many people around, an ideal situation for car prowlers to take the opportunity to steal whatever is in your car without being seen. Sometimes, potential prowlers will hang out in the parking lot to see who has put away potential valuables. Then when no one is around, they can break a window to gain access to the vehicle and to the trunk.

When you go hiking, keep the following in mind:

·         Do not take anything that you do not need on your hike with you. Keep your valuables at home.

·         If you plan on putting anything in your trunk, put it there at home before you leave. Car prowlers could see what you have put in your trunk at the trail head.

·         Keep a lookout for any “suspicious” people who seem to be just hanging out, not readying themselves to go on a hike, or getting ready to leave the area. Write down a description and a license number of their vehicle if you safely can.

·         Take items such as your driver’s license, credit/debit cards, phone, etc. with you on the trail.

·         Do not leave anything in view in your vehicle when you leave for your hike, not even an empty duffle bag, backpack, or a bag with garbage. Car prowlers will them as an opportunity to steal.

·         Some people go to the extent of emptying their glove compartment and leaving its door open to show that there is nothing there. There have reports in the past, of car prowlers taking car registrations at movie theaters then going to the victim’s house to burglarize it. This scenario may be far fetched for a distant trail head, but car registrations can also be used in identity theft schemes.

·         Lock your car. While some people say that they leave their parked car unlocked, most deputies would not recommend leaving your car unlocked. An unlocked car is easier to steal, so if the suspect needs wheels, he/she could take your unlocked car. Also, car prowls are crimes of opportunity. A car prowler most likely is not going to break into a car if he/she does not think that there is something worthwhile stealing.   

·         If you do see anyone suspicious, or if your car is broken into, report it to the nearest ranger station.

Methow Valley News:

http://methowvalleynews.com/2018/07/06/three-arrested-in-connection-with-trailhead-vehicle-break-ins/

Washington Trails Association:

https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/avoiding-car-break-ins

https://www.wta.org/news/signpost/avoiding-trailhead-theft

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Crime Stats Show Decline in Most Categories

Crime statistics as published in the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office 2017 Annual Report shows a decline in most crime categories. The statistics only include unincorporated Snohomish County and the 7 cities that contract with the Sheriff’s Office for police services (including Darrington, Gold Bar, Granite Falls, index, Snohomish, Stanwood and Sultan). It does not include statistics from incorporated cities such as Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, etc.). The report shows an increase in 4 categories.

The crime categories showing a decrease include:

·         Assault-  Down 2%

·         Robbery- Down 9.9%

·         Burglary- Down 11.8%

·         Malicious Mischief- Down 2.3%

·         Traffic- Down 1.4%

Categories showing an increase include:

·         Vehicle Theft- 10.3%

·         Theft- 4.8%

·         Domestic Violence- 4.2%

·         Collision-  0.9%

While clearly crime has not ended, the reduction in several categories shows a positive trend.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/53146/2017-Annual-Report

MEDICARE SCAM- You Do Not Need to Pay or Give Your Personal Information to Receive Your New Medicare Card

This warning only applies if you are currently eligible for Medicare.
The U.S. Government is sending all citizens who are eligible for Medicare new Medicare cards to reduce the opportunity of identity theft and fraud. The old cards had Social Security Numbers (SSN) printed on them for identification. The new cards will replace the Social Security Number with a unique number printed on them.
This sample shows what the new card will look like:

Scammers have found an opportunity to take your money or your identity while the government tries to protect you. The Washington State Insurance Commissioner’s Office has issued a warning that scammers have been trying the following ploys to take your money or identity:

·         Telling Medicare beneficiaries that they need to pay a charge, between $5 to $400 to receive the new cards

·         Claiming that they need your bank account information to deposit funds into your Medicare account.

·         Claiming that you need to confirm or give your personal information to receive your new card.

·         Claiming that you need to provide your old Medicare card number (this is your SSN) to prevent your insurance from being interrupted while new cards are being mailed out.

Facts:

·         Your do not need to pay for your new card. Medicare will send the card to you automatically. This link, https://www.medicare.gov/newcard/, gives an update on distribution progress and a way to be notified by email when your new card is on its way.

·         You do not need to provide bank account information.

·         You do not need to verify personal information, including SSN, to receive your new card. The card will be mailed to the address that you have on file with Social Security. You can update your address online here https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/?URL=/apps6z/ICOA/coa001.jsp?utm_campaign=20171221updateaddress&utm_content=english&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery, call 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office.

·         Medicare coverage and benefits will not be interrupted while Medicare is in the process of mailing your new card to you.

As I mentioned at the beginning, this information only applies to Medicare beneficiaries. However, according to Reuters, 76% of adults 65 and older are not aware that the new Medicare cards will be replacing their old cards or what the key change to the cards will be.
Please pass this information on to anyone you know who is eligible for Medicare coverage so that they can protect themselves from being taken advantage of by scammers.

Office of the Insurance Commissioner Washington State:

 wainsurance.blogspot.com/2018/06/new-medicare-card-scams-hit-nationwide.html

Reuters:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-column-miller-medicare/new-u-s-medicare-cards-prompt-warnings-about-phone-scams-idUSKBN1JT2FG

JULY 4- Reminder Where You Can Discharge Fireworks

Last year on July 4, there were 262 injuries and 83 fires due to fireworks, statewide.

If you plan to discharge fireworks on the 4^th, please review the following map for where you can and cannot shoot them off,

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35033/4th-of-July-Fireworks-Discharge-Map-2018?bidId=

Also, if you need to report illegal fireworks being discharged around you, DO NOT CALL 911. Call the non-emergency number, (425) 407-3999. This is the non-emergency phone number for all of Snohomish County now that SNOPAC and SNOCOM have merged into one 911 agency.

If fireworks cause injury or a fire, call 911.

The Herald:

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/last-july-4-there-were-262-injuries-and-83-fires-statewide/

South Snohomish County Crime Watch:

http://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2018/06/july-4-use-fireworks-safely.html