Crime Prevention

Take Crime Prevention seriously! In today's busy world we sometimes forget to assess our surroundings. We must be cautious and practice safety each and every day. In this section you will find Safety tips to help you stop and think about what you can do to prevent a dangerous or possibly fatal situation.

HOME SAFETY

On a national average, each year about one out of every twelve homes will be targeted by a burglar. Luck has little to do with these odds since burglars look for homes that offer easy entrance and getaways. You may not need physical strength, speed, or expensive security devices, but you do need to be alert, cautious, and self-confident.

Every large hardware store carries a dozen or more different home security devises that are easy to install:

• Special bars
• Locks
• Latches

Most of them are ineffective at best, and at worst, dangerous, because they may prevent a quick exit. If you decide to investigate these, ask a local law enforcement agency which devices it recommends.

If someone breaks in while you are home:

• Do not confront the burglar
• Lock yourself in a room (with a phone)
• If you can get to a phone, quietly call 911

If someone breaks in while you are away:

• Do not go inside if you suspect someone is still in the house
• Call law enforcement from a neighbor's phone
• Do not touch anything

Doors:

• Outside entry doors should be metal, metal-clad, or solid wood, not hollow core.
• Keep all doors locked
• Double cylinder deadbolts
• Never attach an ID tag to you your keychain
• If you lose your key or move, install new locks right away
• Doors with glass windows less than 40 inches from the lock can easily be opened
• Install a lens peephole or wide-angle viewer in all outside doors
• Never let anyone at the door know you are home alone
• Ask for identification of all service repair personnel
• Use metal "Charlie bars" on sliding glass doors
• Chain locks are not security devices!

Windows:

• Pin locks are available for double-hung windows, as well as sliding glass doors. They can be installed on the side sashes, as well as the center sash, to allow windows to be opened a few inches and still be secure. These locks require only a drill for installation, so they are inexpensive.
• Special locks for casement type windows are available in hardware stores
• Keep all curtains and blinds closed at night

Alarm Systems:

• Security systems vary widely in effectiveness and cost, even within a single community. Unmonitored alarms are of little use. Basic, monitored security service often includes a "panic button", which also summons help in a health emergency.
• Make sure the security company you select is reputable
• Learn how to use your system properly
• Consider having a small pet

Apartment Tips:

• Make sure that all entrances, parking areas, hallways, stairways, laundry rooms, and other common areas are well-lit.
• Report burned-out lights
• Check to make sure fire stairs have an emergency exit at ground

STREET SAFETY

• Use common sense; plan your route to avoid lonely areas such as parks, parking lots and garages and alleyways; stick to well lit areas
• Carry minimal possessions; overloading yourself interferes with your vision and makes you appear more vulnerable
• Get into the habit of paying close attention to your surroundings, and avoid "automatic pilot"
• Walk with purpose, project an assertive or businesslike image
• Look ahead and anticipate potentially dangerous situations
• If you see trouble, do you have a plan? Would you be willing to cross the street? Duck into a store or business that's open
• If a car follows you or beckons you while you are walking, do not approach the car; instead, turn and quickly walk the other direction
• Watch your body space; don't let people get too close; even if they appear to have a reason, like asking for the time, change etc.
• Consider low profile shoes and clothing, especially when walking, waiting for the bus, etc.

TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

Safe Driving Every Day

• Get regular eye checkups
• Avoid driving at dusk or dawn when visibility is poorest
• Keep your glasses, car mirrors, and lights clean
• Keep extra car lengths between your vehicle and the car ahead of you
• Avoid heavy traffic
• Signal turns at least a half-block before braking to make the turn
• Do not drive while taking medication that slows reflexes

Car Safety:

• Have keys in hand as you leave the building
• Parked cars provide good hiding places (inside & out), be alert as you approach your car
• Back off if you see anyone loitering near your car
• Enter your car quickly and lock the door immediately
• If followed or bothered, drive to a public place, store or business and honk your horn to attract attention
• If parking in a paid lot, have money ready before getting out of locked car
• Consider car pooling, not just at work but for leisure time activities as well, particularly when parking is a premium
• Make it a habit to leave car locked and empty of possessions, even parking meter change

How to avoid a car jacking:

• Drive with your windows closed and your doors locked
• Park in populated and well lit areas
• Don't take unfamiliar shortcuts
• If trapped in traffic, flash lights to get attention
• When approaching an intersection, leave enough room to be able to pull out and get away from the car in front of you
• If actually confronted, don't resist. Get out of the car promptly and head in opposite direction
• Keep home driveway well lit. Check surroundings before getting in or out of the car. Check inside and under the car before getting in.
• When renting a car, ask for one without rental stickers
• Keep plenty of gas in the tank and try to avoid using self-service gas stations at night
• Consider buying a car phone
• If bumped from behind and you feel suspicious, don't get out of the car. Motion the other driver to follow you and then go to the nearest well lit public place where you feel safe, such as a fire station or police station.
• Above all, remain calm. Take careful note of all physical aspects of the robber, the vehicle and the direction of flight.

Bus, Taxi, Train or Subway:

• Use schedules to minimize time waiting at bus stops
• Sit near the front of the bus, if possible
• Keep Possessions in lap
• Pay attention to surroundings. If you feel threatened, tell the driver.
• Avoid sleeping, cleaning out purse or pockets, balancing checkbook, etc. If you read, look up periodically.
• Only ask the driver for directions
• While waiting for a subway or train, wait near the ticket booth until you board.
• Do not enter an empty car or elevator; choose one that has several other people in it.
• Have your key ready.
• Ask the driver to watch to make sure you make it inside your home safely.

Airport:

• Stay with your luggage at all times
• Keep tickets out of sight, they can be as valuable as cash
• Watch out for staged situations such as someone bumping into you. It may be a diversion for criminal activity
• Do not let others see expensive jewelry, cameras, or anything that someone would want to take.

FRAUD AND SCAM SAFETY

IDENTITY THEFT

The fastest growing crime in America is the one you are most likely to become a victim of, and that crime is identity theft. Unlike most other crimes, it is a crime you can become a victim of without ever having been near the state or locality in which the crime was committed, without having any material possessions taken from you, and often without any immediate knowledge that the crime even happened. It happens when someone obtains your identifying information, namely your name, date of birth, social security number, or other identifiers associated with you, and opens credit or other type accounts and obtains goods, services, or even employment in your name without your knowledge or consent. Identity theft is typically not discovered until several months, or sometimes years after the fact. One way many people discover that they have become victims of identity theft is when they receive correspondence from creditors demanding payment for balances they do not owe on accounts they know nothing about. Others may apply for a simple credit card, or perhaps a loan to purchase a vehicle or other item and be surprised to be turned down due to a negative credit standing. This may prompt such person to obtain a credit report and lead to the discovery of accounts in their name that they have no knowledge of. 

Upon discovery of such accounts, people often feel violated and confused as far as what can be done about it. It is never easy to remedy such a situation, but there is a procedure to be followed. Identity theft is a crime in all states within the United States, and is also a violation of federal law. A report to law enforcement should be made in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred. Sometimes jurisdiction, or the locality in which the offense occurred, is not easily discernable; assistance from your local law enforcement agency should then be sought. Immediate report should be made to the companies holding accounts in question, and any open accounts should be closed. A report should also be made to each of the three national consumer credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A standard identity theft complaint form is provided by the Federal Trade Commission, and in addition to completing this form and sending a copy to creditors in dispute, a copy should be sent to the major credit bureaus listed in order to facilitate their investigation. Links to those resources and other helpful sites follow;

Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft website http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

NOTE – The FTC site contains links to the three major credit reporting bureaus, as well as their addresses and phone numbers(see “If your information has been stolen and used by an identity thief”)

United States Department of Justice Identity Theft website http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html

NOTE – The USDOJ site contains helpful information, resources and prevention measures.

Identity Theft Resource Center - Identity Theft Resource Center | A Nonprofit Organization

NOTE - Identity Theft Resource Center is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with a mission to prevent identity theft and advocate for victims.

There are many other types of fraud and scams you could fall victim to in addition to identity theft:

Avoid common check forgery/credit and debit card fraud issues:

• Safeguard your checkbook/credit or debit cards like cash.
• Avoid leaving purses within plain view in your vehicle, even if vehicle is locked.
• Keep purses on shoulder or within grasp rather than in shopping carts.
• Never loan your card to anyone or provide them with the P.I.N. code unless they are completely trusted. Banks will not reimburse money lost under such circumstances.
• Unless the recipient is completely trusted, never leave the payable amount of a check blank, and take measures to prevent the possibility of alteration of the payable amount by not leaving empty space where letters/numbers can be altered or manipulated.
• If you have your driver’s license number printed on your checks, request on your next reorder that it be removed, as many cashiers will simply circle the printed one without checking ID.
• Destroy old checks on closed accounts, and keep current checks in a safe place.
• Review your bank statements regularly. Banks are not obligated to reimburse funds fraudulently withdrawn or obtained if the fraud is not reported in a timely manner. 

Avoid check cashing scams:

You may receive a letter by mail, accompanied by a check. The letter may be internationally postmarked, as most scam letters and checks tend to come from foreign countries, particularly Canada. The letter may start out with the word “Congratulations!”, or may be congratulatory in nature; BEWARE – This is almost certainly a scam. No matter how the letter begins (“Greetings”, “Winning Contestant notification”, etc.), and no matter what it says (for example);

• “You’ve been selected for our secret shopper program”
• “You’ve won the Spanish El Gordo International Lottery” (named lottery is an example; beware any other lottery or sweepstakes)
• Any other circumstances that lead you to believe that you have won money or have been selected for employment or a cash windfall of some sort:

One thing is certain in evaluating such letters; if there is a check that accompanies the letter, and you are directed to cash the check and remit any part of it via wire service, such as Western Union or Money Gram, for example, you will be liable to whoever cashed the check for you in the full amount when it is returned unpaid stamped “counterfeit item”, and since such fraud is usually international, you will have virtually no recourse as a victim yourself. NEVER cash such checks – simply destroy them upon receipt. 

Remember – even if you take a check to the bank to verify it, often the only verification that will occur is funds availability on the account that it’s drawn on. So a counterfeit check drawn on a genuine account would show adequate funds, but if cashed will still come back unpaid as a “counterfeit item”. Just don’t do it, and educate your family and friends about this pervasive problem which causes trouble for so many. 

Avoid common person to person scams:

A vintage scam that occurs occasionally in Sumter is the “pidgeon drop” scam, in which a con man/woman approaches a stranger, and by some convincing story gains that person’s confidence. The con artist cites the need for the “mark” or victim to provide a small amount of money (let’s say, a few thousand), in exchange for the promise of a lot of money (let’s say, tens of thousands.) A prop is usually necessary, often a briefcase, zip-up pouch, or maybe even a paper bag. Such a container is thought to be filled with cash, and often the con artist will obtain money from the “mark” and give him or her the impression that their money has been placed in the container with the other “money”. However, when the transaction is over, and the victim has the container in hand, he or she will invariably find that not only is their money not in there, but that the “money” from the con man is actually pieces of newspaper, phone book, or other such material cut out into “bills” approximately the size of currency. Often, these con artists are transient and identification is problematic. 

• If a person unknown to you approaches you concerning an investment opportunity, or concerning a large sum of money he or she has found, BEWARE! Get a detailed description of the person and get to a telephone in order to notify police as soon as possible. 
• Never let someone unknown to you talk you into going to the bank to withdraw money for any purpose, or to put up “good faith money” in order to cut you in on a deal.
• Do not be timid about telling someone “No, I’m not interested”. 

Avoid accepting counterfeit currency:

In years past, counterfeiting U.S. currency was a fairly scarce crime, with engraved printing plates, special equipment, and expertise required. Now, anyone with access to a color copier or scanner and ink jet printer can counterfeit currency, causing this crime to become very common. Once the initial passer successfully utters the bill, someone will get stuck with it – and be out in the amount of the bill. High quality counterfeit bills are a rarity – seldom ever seen in Sumter. Most of the counterfeit currency encountered is of a quality and grade that most people will be able to detect it simply by appearance or feel. When you receive currency in change, count through it at the time you receive it. It should not be necessary to break out a magnifying glass or look for holograms or strips at that time. An inkjet or color copied bill should be fairly apparent, as the paper it is printed on is nothing like the cotton-paper fiber that genuine money is printed on. Even if a bill has been altered through a process of “washing” (removing the ink by bleach or other means from a lower denomination) and “raising” (printing the design of a higher denomination onto a washed bill), it should still be fairly apparent. The key is to give each individual bill attention, as appearance and touch will most often reveal a counterfeit bill. If you examine your bills after leaving from where you received them, you might not have any luck on exchanging a bad one for a genuine bill later, as the business might not be willing to take your word for it that you received it from them. 

Avoid Telemarketing Scams:

Many companies and organizations use the telephone as a means of marketing or soliciting charitable donations or contributions. Many are legitimate, while many others are not. Always be skeptical anytime a person calls seeking payment of any form (bank routing and account number, credit card number, etc.), and keep the following in mind;

• Never do business over the phone with a company or organization you are not familiar with.
• Be aware of the possibility that a person who contacts you purporting to represent a reputable business or organization that you may have heard of may be an imposter.
• Seek out those that you wish to give charitable donations to, rather than have them contact you. 
• Disconnect the call, even if you have to hang up on the caller, if the caller begins to use pressure, intimidation, or any tactics or words that make you feel uncomfortable. 
• NEVER give your personal identifying information out to a person not known to you who contacts you by telephone (or by e-mail). A fraudulent practice known as phishing involves fooling you into giving your date of birth, social security number, bank account number, credit card numbers, or other information that you should safeguard.
• Assume that a caller is attempting to commit fraud if they suggest that you should not tell anyone else about the call.  
• If you do not already have it, purchase caller ID through your telephone service provider, and avoid answering calls when the calling party blocks their number. 

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations require the following of telemarketers:

• In the beginning of a telemarketing call, the caller must identify the company's name, and, if it's a sales call, what is being sold
• If a prize is offered, you have to be told immediately that no purchase or payment is necessary to win.
• You must not be asked to pay in advance for services. Pay for services only after they are actually delivered.
• You must not be called before 8:00 am and after 9:00 pm, your local time.
• You must not be called repeatedly or be intimidated by the caller.
• You must be told the costs and restrictions before you pay for products or services.

Never allow yourself to be pressured or intimidated by a caller! Simply hang up the phone, and they will likely move on to the next potential target.

SMALL BUSINESS SECURITY TIPS

• Non-employees should not be allowed past the reception area without notice to co-workers by phone or intercom. Guests/clients should wait up front for their escort.
• After business is concluded guests/clients should be escorted out
• Question anyone that is unescorted past the reception or designated area
• An intruder will give you a quick answer and walk away
• Do not try to restrain but write down a description and follow office policy
• Theft should be reported immediately to the police
• Keep all personal belongings out of sight and in a locked drawer if possible
• Leave cash registers empty and open after hours to deter burglars
• Make sure all exterior doors have adequate locking mechanisms or install a secondary lock, i.e. dead-bolt locks
• Leave an interior light on all night
• Check interior for possible access to the roof and secure all ladders and garbage dumpsters
• Use exterior lighting to increase the visibility in parking lots and entrances
• Move valuable merchandise away from the door or windows to prevent smash and grab thefts
• Install a safe or strong security cabinet to store valuable documents or keys used in your business
• Install an enunciator on entrances to alert you that a customer has entered
• Don't tag your keys with the name of your business. Change locks if keys are lost or not returned by a former employee
• Don't open the door until you are fully ready to do business, and don't count receipts until you lock up
• Never resist an armed robber
• Call 9-1-1 for all medical, fire and police emergencies, and anytime you believe there is a need to send police, fire or medical personnel to the scene.
• Overgrown bushes and trees give a thief the luxury of hiding places. Keep trimmed and away from doors and windows