From a law enforcement perspective, criminal acts can usually be divided into two specific categories: those that stem from an emotional involvement necessary for "crimes of opportunity." There are three components necessary for crimes of opportunity to be committed; intent, ability and opportunity. If any of the three components are missing, the crime simply does not occur.

What can you do to prevent becoming a victim?

• In the obituary columns of most newspapers, information such as name and community of surviving family members, and time and location of the funeral arrangements are listed. That practice, although helpful to the reader, sometimes creates additional vulnerability for family members.
• Ask a  friend to stay at your home during times you will be attending funeral events. If no one is available, consider asking one of your neighbors. In many cases, they are looking for something they can do to help you during this time.
• Leave your car parked in the driveway and ride with someone to the funeral events.
• Do not stop , mail or newspaper deliveries. Ask a neighbor to gather the mail in your absence.
• Telephone answering machines can become effective crime prevention tools. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Use it to screen your calls. Pick up the phone after you reconized the caller's voice.
2. If you are a female living alone, consider having a male voice record your message. A dog barking in the background of the recorded message may also be deterrent.
3. Use "we" instead of "I" on your recorded message.
4. Avoid telling the caller you are not home now. That enhances the chance of your home being entered.

Avoid Scams Targeting the Bereaved

• Criminals often target families who have recently lost a loved one. Be careful not to become too trusting of stranger. There are countless cases where confidence scams and swindles are perpetuated against trusting people during these emotional times.
• One of the most effective crime prevention techniques involves "slowing the process" down. Asking specific questions and having another family member or friend involved in decision making is essential.
• Never pay bills on behalf of the deceased unless you can verify the transaction actually took place. Bogus invoices are often sent to the home of the deceased, assuming that the individual handling the estate will simply write the cheque.
• Never answer questions from strangers calling on the telephone claiming to be doing genealogy research or verifying information printed on a birth or death certificate. Identity thieves can use this to perpetrate crimes.
• Never allow home improvement contractors into your home to begin a project that they claim was contracted/initiated by your loved one prior to their death.
• Never open your home to coin/stamp collections or estate sales representative to do an appraisal of the deceased's valuables. Reputable businesses will never "cold call"prospective clients during these times.