SENIORS WARNED ABOUT FINANCIAL SCAMS DON'T GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION, DON'T BE SO TRUSTING, OFFICIALS ADVISE ELDERLY.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Police and other law enforcement officials are urging senior citizens to beware of a growing number of scams targeting Ventura County's elderly population, which is expected to double in the next 15 years.

``Be very careful of anyone who calls you and asks for money for hurricane victims,'' said Vicki Kinzer, a crime prevention officer for the Simi Valley Police Department who helped organize a seminar for the elderly at City Hall on Thursday.

``Another scam going around now involves people who call you and say there is a warrant for your arrest because you didn't show up for jury duty. Then they ask you all sorts of personal information. Never give personal information or credit card numbers to someone you don't know who calls you on the phone,'' she warned those at the seminar.

Authorities say the elderly are particularly susceptible to such scams because they are often lonely and enjoy any contact by telephone, trusting just about anyone who calls. Because of this, seniors often wind up on what authorities call ``mooch lists'' of likely targets used by telemarketers and direct-mail solicitors.

Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten has called elder abuse one of Ventura County's fastest-growing crimes, and Janice Lamborn, a victims advocate from his office, said at Thursday's seminar that by 2030, one in five people in the county will be 65 and older.

``There will be an enormous increase in potential victims,'' she said.

The elder abuse authorities said many seniors have saved their whole lives and are likely to have a lot of cash on hand, but they are vulnerable because they depend on others for help.

``They grew up in a world of trust,'' said Detective David DelMarto, who specializes in investigating elder abuse crimes for the Simi Valley Police Department.

In the past, some cases of elder abuse were looked at like civil disputes that could be resolved without police getting involved, but public attitudes are changing dramatically, officials said.

``A lot of people used to think that's just the way it is, but elder abuse is a crime, and it's not tolerated,'' said DelMarto, urging people to report abuse as soon as they see it.

Heinz Abel, 77, of Simi Valley said he found some valuable information in the seminar, but was disappointed that more of Simi Valley's senior citizens didn't attend. Only about 25 people attended, possibly because of limits on transportation, officials said.

Senior citizens are attracted to the Ventura County area because of the climate, the relative lack of crime and special services like those provided by the Simi Valley Senior Center, the city of Simi Valley and the Simi Valley Recreation and Park District, Abel said.

``They have excellent services in Simi Valley. The City Council is very in tune with senior citizens.''

The Simi Valley Police Department is sponsoring two more seminars, including one from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 on ``Identity Theft and Computer Crimes'' and from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 titled ``The Financially Prudent Senior.'' Both will be held in the City Council chambers at City Hall, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road.

Authorities estimate about 84 percent of elder abuse cases go unreported, in many cases because the abuser is a family member. They said about 61 percent of abusers turn out to be the victim's children; 13 percent, their spouses; and 11 percent, other relatives.

Lamborn said one reason elder abuse by family members goes unprosecuted is because people are reluctant to report it. ``There is a lot of guilt and shame involved,'' she said.

Mark Roady, who has worked for 15 years with Adult Protective Services in Ventura County, said he sees disturbing new trends.

``The elderly are targets like never before,'' said Roady, who agreed many of the abusers are the victims' children. ``We are in a unique situation in our society now where a lot of adult sons and daughters are returning home.''

Con artists who specialize in defrauding the elderly deal in everything from bogus or inappropriate investments to lottery scams to Medicare fraud to home repair rip-offs.

Officials warned of danger signs like a new best friend suddenly coming into the life of an elderly person or anyone with an unusual interest in an older person's money.

Con artists sometimes take people's life savings and then claim it was a gift from the elderly person, who just couldn't remember, Lamborn said.

These criminals sometimes wipe out their victims' entire life savings, leaving them with nothing at a time in their lives when they are no longer able to work.

Sometimes the scam artists offer work-at-home schemes, prescription and nonprescription medicines, and, particularly, investment schemes that appeal to people's tendency to want something for nothing.

Even though Simi Valley typically ranks among the safest communities in the nation, it doesn't mean that it is crime-free, DelMarto said.

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com

A CLOSER LOOK

Four general categories of elder abuse:

--Physical abuse: Assault, battery, unreasonable physical constraint, prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water, and sexual assault.

--Emotional abuse: Fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression or other forms of serious emotional distress brought about by threats, harassment or other intimidating behavior.

--Financial abuse: Taking or appropriating money or property of an elder or dependent adult.

--Neglect: The negligent failure of a caregiver of an elder or dependent adult to assist in personal hygiene or in the provision of food, clothing or shelter.

Source: California Attorney General's Office.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Seniors listen to a presentation by officials at Simi Valley City Hall last week about the growing problem of elder abuse.

(2) Simi Valley police Detective David DelMarto talks to seniors about money-making scams that target the elderly.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

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A CLOSER LOOK (see text)