“Don’t give out information, hang up and verify” the police in Alicante tell pensioners

The National Police is holding a practical course at senior centres in Alicante to help older people stay safe. This workshop stopped yesterday, Wednesday, January 21st, in the San Gabriel neighbourhood. Officer Antonio José González, who works for the Citizen Participation Unit, says that these sessions are updated “year after year” and that they cover real-life situations as well as basic guidance. The Police hold seminars like this in all 19 municipal centres and any senior centres that ask for them. They change the topics to fit the people who are there.

The home is the first thing that happens in the session. We go over rules for doors, peepholes, lock cylinders, and how important it is to make sure the house is locked when you leave. González talked about signs that could show up on doors, including silicone threads or little strips of plastic. She said they could be used to tell if a residence is occupied. In these situations, the advice is clear: don’t act on impulse; instead, call the police to check things out.

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The paper also talks about what to deal with jewellery and money that you keep at home. Some of the advice given is to not leave them out in the open, to hide them in places where people wouldn’t expect to find them, and to take pictures of them if possible so that the police can make a report if they are stolen. The officer said that these simple processes help lower the risk of theft and speed up the reaction time if there is an issue.

Then, the group goes outside and shows them examples of scams that are meant to distract them. They talk about the “loving hug” and give a specific warning: some criminals come up to you with too much confidence and may have oily palms that make rings or bracelets fall off. They also talk about scenes that are meant to get an immediate reaction, such warnings about a stain on clothes or meeting someone who pretends to faint. González says this is where the con artists’ “theatricality” comes into play. “They want to catch you off guard, and they do everything quickly,” he says, explaining how scammers work.

The “tocomocho” scam is one of the scams talked about, and the advise is to be extra vigilant in crowded places like street markets, public transit, and big holidays like Christmas, Easter, and the Bonfires of Saint John. Most people say to stay away from others, keep an eye on your purse and cash, and don’t let strangers get too close to you, especially if there is pushing, shoving, or misunderstanding.

Another part of the training is about banks and stores. It talks about how to use indoor ATMs, how to go with someone if you need to, and how to never show your PIN or accept aid from strangers. It also stresses how important it is to end the conversation if something feels strange and not give out personal or banking information when someone calls you and pressures you to do so.

The workshop contains rules for how to deal with elders who are lost or confused, stressing the need to get aid and activate safety and assistance options as soon as feasible. The last part is about the internet and mobile devices, where the digital divide makes people more vulnerable. It talks about cryptocurrency, calls from phoney banks, the WhatsApp scam of the “child in distress” who urgently needs money, and scams that employ fake relationships on social media. González says that the presentations are always being updated to stay current. He also says that many people ask specific questions to learn how to check facts and stay safe, in addition to getting basic guidance.

The seniors are really involved and ask a lot of questions. The officer says, “We really like this group, and we think the workshops are very helpful for them.” Mari Ángeles Valero, one of the people who attended, says they learn “a lot”: “Every year they teach us new things because the scams are always changing.” Agustín Conesa, the center’s president, says that “these are very positive talks” and likes the advice to avoid embraces from strangers and not wear jewellery that can be seen when going out. Mari Carmen Menchón, a user, says, “These workshops help us stay sharp and are very interesting.” The most common advice is clear: if you get a call from a scammer, don’t give them any information, hang up, and check everything before you do anything.