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Burglary Prevention
What is Burglary and what do Burglars look for?
When a person enters a building with the intent to commit a crime,
unless the premises are open to the public at the time of entry.
Burglars go through neighborhoods looking for uncut lawns and
stuffed mailboxes. In the evening, they look for darkened houses or
lights that have been left on too long.
Another tactic Burglars use is simply approaching a home and ringing
the doorbell. If someone is home and answers the door
the
burglar may pretend to be lost and ask for directions.
If you have someone approach your home in this manner, call the
police immediately. Try to get a description of the person and any
involved vehicle, along with a license plate number if possible to
pass on to the police. The police will verify the story and offer
any necessary assistance.
The
following burglary prevention tips will help to make you and your
family safer.
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LOCK YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS - Most burglars are
opportunists. Many gain entry by "cruising" the neighborhood
looking for unlocked residences. This allows a quiet and easy
entrance to your home.
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LIGHT UP THE OUTSIDE - Good exterior lighting is one of
the best deterrents of a burglar. Inexpensive electric timers,
electric photo-cells, or passive infrared sensors will
automatically turn lights on and off. If a burglar is afraid
they will be seen around your house they won't approach it.
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DON'T GIVE A BURGLAR A PLACE TO HIDE - Shrubbery should
never block the view of your exterior doors and windows. This
allows a burglar a place to hide while they attempt to gain
entry into your home. It also shields then from passing
neighbors and police patrols.
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REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS PERSONS TO THE POLICE - Report all
suspicious persons to the police immediately. "Cruising" the
neighborhood can occur at anytime. This could help prevent you
or your neighbor from becoming a possible target of a burglar.
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HOME CHECK LISTS - Sometimes it is best to utilize a
check list to see if you have covered everything. This way
visually seeing something is not done of fixed can be attended
to. A checklist PDF is provided for print out.
Home Check List
Identity Theft
What is Identity Theft?
Identity theft or identity fraud (true name fraud) is
the taking of the victim’s identity to obtain credit, credit cards
from banks and retailers, steal money from the victim’s existing
accounts, apply for loans, establish accounts with utility
companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy or obtain a job using
the victim’s name. The Impersonator steals thousands of dollars in
the victim’s name without the victim even knowing about it for
months or even years. Recently criminals have been using the
victim’s identity to commit crimes ranging form traffic infractions
to felonies.
How does the imposter take
your identity?
It is easy. All that is needed is your social security
number, your birth date and other identifying information such as
your address and phone number and whatever else they can find out
about you. With this information, and a false driver’s license with
their own picture, they can begin the crime. They apply in person
for instant credit, or through the mail by posing as you. They often
provide an address of their own, claiming to have moved. Negligent
credit grantors in their rush to issue credit do not verify
information or addresses. So once the imposter opens the first
account, they use this new account along with the other identifiers
to add to their credibility. This facilitates the proliferation of
the fraud. Now the thief is well on his/her way to getting rich and
ruining your credit and good name.
Where does the impersonator
get information about you?
ANYWHERE - your doctor, accountant, lawyer,
dentist, school, place of work, health insurance carrier, and many
others have your identifying information. If some criminally minded
person is working at the office (or just visiting) decides to use
this information to assume your identity, you would not know it.
Also if this information is not disposed of with a shredder, a
"dumpster-diver" could pick up the information and begin the crime
against you. You do not need to lose your wallet or have anything
tangible stolen from you for someone to take your identity. If you
do not shred your confidential information, utility bills, credit
card slips and other documents, it is easy to "dumpster dive" your
garbage. Much of your information is readily available on the
internet, at courts, and accessible from public documents.
Additionally, if someone obtains your credit report illegally, they
have all the information necessary to become you.
For further information on identity theft go to the
Federal Trade Commission ID theft WEB Site.
ID Theft Tips: When Bad Things Happen To Your
Good Name |
