親愛的讀者們：
每年，我的辦公室、三藩市警察局、保護成人服務、地方檢察官受害者服務部門、長者研究中心和亞太裔法律援助機構都會合作開展旨在提高三藩市居民對長者虐待認識的一連串活動。通過在社區和老人中心的講座，每年為長者提供社區有關詐騙活動的最新信息，從而防止他們成為罪案目標：
‧ 如何識別詐騙的手法
‧ 如何使用報案工具和資源
‧ 最新針對長者的詐騙手段和金融詐騙信息，例如祈福黨詐騙等
針對英語能力有限社區的詐騙尤其猖獗，往往對受害者造成了嚴重的打擊，許多受害者失去了畢生積蓄，有些甚至失去了家園。而與執法機構合作是解決金融犯罪的關鍵。
這些犯罪對受害者的影響並且不僅僅是財務損失——還會導致他們失去獨立性、生活質素下降，甚至引發健康問題。研究報告指出，財務虐待和剝削是老年受害者死亡的第二大原因，僅次於忽視。
我們敦促大家報告所有針對長者的犯罪，以保護他們免受詐騙和金融虐待。
‧ 如果您目擊犯罪正在發生，請立即撥打9-1-1。用簡單的英語說明您需要的語言，如“粵語”或“西班牙語”，並保持在線等待另一位接線員。
‧ 非緊急情況下，請撥打1-415-553-0123或前往就近警察局報告。
‧ 除了聯繫警方外，針對老年人的犯罪應報告給保護成人服務組，24小時熱線電話為1-415-355-6700。任何人如果懷疑60歲或以上的成年人或有殘疾的人遭受虐待或忽視，都可以匿名或保密地向該組報告。這條24小時熱線由社工接聽，他們會根據情況決定適當的回應，包括進行緊急家訪。
‧ 懷疑虐待長者案件也可以向州檢察長的Medi-Cal欺詐與老年人虐待部門報告，請撥打1-800-722-0432。
我們的長者為三藩市作出了無比貢獻，他們不應該擔心被詐騙。我們將繼續合作，確保他們的安全，並為他們提供所需的資源來互相照顧。那些利用他們的善良、愛心和文化的騙徒在三藩市絕對不會有立足之地。我感謝所有與我們合作進行教育和預防工作並幫助我們追究罪犯責任的各市府、州府、聯邦機構和市民。
請在微信上添加我以獲取更新和資源：londonbreed。
敬安！
三藩市市長 倫敦．布里德
Protecting our Seniors from Scams
By Mayor London Breed
My fellow San Franciscans,
Each year, my office, the San Francisco Police Department, Adult Protective Services, the District Attorney’s Victim Services Division, the Institute on Aging, and the Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach collaborate on a campaign to bring awareness of elder abuse to San Franciscans. Through presentations at community and senior centers, the goal each year is to provide older adults with the latest information on the fraudulent activities circulating in the community with the goal of preventing them from becoming targets:
‧ How to identify red flags and warning signs of scams
‧ Ways to use crime reporting tools and resources
‧ The latest information on scam practices and financial fraud targeting elders, such as the blessing scam
Scams that target the communities of limited English proficiency have been especially prevalent and devastating for victims who have in many cases lost their life savings and, in some cases, their homes. Working with law enforcement agencies is key to addressing financial crimes.
The impact of these crimes can be disastrous for victims and often takes more than a financial toll—they can result in a loss of independence, reduced quality of life, and lead to poor health outcomes. In fact, studies have reported financial abuse and exploitation as the second leading cause of fatality amongst older adult victims, following neglect.
We urge everyone to report all crimes targeting older adults in order to protect them from scams and financial abuse.
‧ If you are observing a crime in progress, call 9-1-1 immediately. Ask for an interpreter by stating the preferred language in simple English like “Cantonese” or “Spanish” and stay on the line to wait for another operator.
‧ For non-emergencies, dial 1-415-553-0123 or visit a local police station.
‧ In addition to contacting the police, crimes against elders should be reported to Adult Protective Services at 1-415-355-6700, 24 hours a day. Anyone can make a confidential or anonymous report to APS if they suspect abuse or neglect of an adult 60 years or older, or a person with a disability. The 24-hour hotline is answered by social workers who determine the appropriate response, which may include conducting an emergency home visit.
‧ Suspected cases of elder abuse can also be reported at the state level to the Attorney General’s Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse by calling 1-800-722-0432.
Our seniors have done so much for our City, and the last thing they should be worrying about is getting scammed. We will continue to work together to keep them safe and provide them with the resources they need to look out for one another. Con artists who prey on the kindness, love, and culture of our most vulnerable residents have no place in San Francisco and I want to thank all of the City, State, Federal agencies, and private citizens who have collaborated with us on education and prevention efforts and helped us hold criminals accountable.
Please add me on WeChat for updates and resources: londonbreed.
Sincerely,
London N. Breed
Mayor
