Throughout my years as an attorney and Summit County Prosecutor, there has been one common and unfortunate connection. People will take advantage of others and many times break the law while doing so.
My office has prosecuted thousands of cases, including many where the victim trusted the person charged with the crime. That is why I fight so hard for victims and conduct safety speeches to help people learn how to stay safe and be more aware; especially our most fragile residents – the elderly.
The numbers are staggering. A recent New York State study determined elderly victims are scammed out of billions of dollars each year. Researchers say that number could be even more since many elderly victims do not report that they were a victim of a crime. Elderly victims may be concerned about others thinking they can no longer have the mental capacity to take care of their own financial affairs so they hesitate to report those crimes.
Older people can also be more trusting, and may not be as knowledgeable about new technologies. According to the FBI, people who grew up in the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Unfortunately, criminals and con artists exploit those traits.
That trust, even of a family member, can result in trouble. Recently, we have prosecuted several cases where a family member has been accused of stealing money from an older relative. The victim gives a family member access to their bank account and then the family member uses the money for their own purposes.
Trusting others also makes the elderly a target for scammers. The “grandparents” scam is one that seems to always be around. The “grandparents” scam is when an older person receives a call, usually in the middle of the night, from someone claiming to be their grandchild. The caller claims they’re in trouble and need money immediately and to not tell mom and dad. They play on your emotions. The caller will usually ask the victim to buy gift cards and scratch off the back of the card to reveal the ID number, and then have them read the number over the phone. This is a scam that has been going on for years.
Now an old scam has resurfaced, putting the elderly in our community at risk. The situation is something I warn people about when I give safety advice. It’s a distraction crime. Typically this occurs when the victim is out shopping and is distracted by the criminal.
Here’s what happens. You’re at a store and someone approaches you asking for help in reading a label or maybe asks where to find an item. You’re briefly distracted and leave your purse unattended in the shopping cart. The criminal’s partner sneaks up behind you and removes your wallet from your purse. When you get to the register you realize your money and credit cards are gone – and the criminal is nowhere to be found. And be on alert – many times the criminal is a woman!
Recently, a 57-year-old woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison for doing just this. Carlene McSwain stole wallets from 18 people in grocery stores. Most of the victims were elderly with an average age of 74. McSwain would follow her victims throughout the store, constantly asking questions. McSwain’s 38-year-old daughter was also charged.
There are simple things you can do to protect yourself. I always tell women to never leave their purse unattended in the child seat of a shopping cart. If someone does approach you, hold on to your purse as if it were a football, cradled and covered by your arm. That way you can still help someone without leaving your wallet out in the open.
If you do place your purse in the cart’s child seat, make sure it is closed. You can also secure your purse with the child protection straps.
I also tell people you can be rude and say no. I know we all want to be nice, but you just never know who might approach you. Just tell the person no and keep moving. If you see them continuing to follow you, find security or the store manager.
And if you do become a victim, please report it to police. I know it can be embarrassing but by telling police, you might be able to prevent someone else from becoming a victim.
Sherri Bevan Walsh is Summit County Prosecutor. If you have any questions or suggestions for future topics, or belong to a group who would be interested in hearing a crime safety presentation from Prosecutor Walsh, please call or write to: Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, 53 University Ave. Akron, 44308, 330-643-2800.
