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Holiday Shopping & Safety Tips Revisited

It’s that time of year again. The days are shorter, the weather is turning colder and the music heard at the mall consists of songs like “Santa Baby” and “White Christmas.” Before you head out with credit cards in hand, here are a few safety tips that may keep the Grinch or anyone else from stealing your Christmas joy. First, let’s be clear: Bad guys are out and about year-round, but it’s during this time that they know people have their minds on other things and not on what is important, safeguarding themselves. Here are a few tips that may help keep you from becoming a victim:

1. When keeping packages in your car, place them in the trunk or in an enclosed area and out of sight. Nothing says “steal me” more than a bag from a high-end electronics store on the front passenger seat.

2. This time of year sees us participating in that ever-so-enjoyable parking lot ballet for a space close to the door. That much coveted space may not only more convenient but safer for you and your valuables. There aren’t many people close enough to pay attention to a couple of suspicious lads trying the doors of a car parked way at the bottom of the lot. Consider giving yourself those few extra minutes to find a spot close to the door or at least under bright light.

3. Ladies, consider carrying your purse or handbag under your winter coat. A thief or purse snatcher can’t steal what he can’t see. If you carry your handbag outside of your coat, consider a purse with a sturdy strap and a good zipper closure and KEEP IT CLOSED. A running bad guy needs only a second to get your cash, credit cards, ID, etc.

4. Recently, there was a rash of thefts at a local grocery store chain of wallets and personal items that were left unattended in the seats of shopping carts. The thieves were eventually caught but only after victimizing a dozen shoppers. Ladies, never leave your purse unattended. Walk through any supermarket and you will inevitably see a woman not only leave her purse open and in the seat of the cart but turn her back on it or walk away to retrieve an item. In my career as a police officer, I’ve taken countless theft reports from victims who told me “I was only gone for a second.” That’s all it takes.

5. Guys, consider carrying your wallet in your front pants pocket or inside coat pocket. Pick-pockets don’t like to get personal or face-to-face.

6. When using your card at the ATM or the checkout, block the keypad with your body or free hand to keep someone behind or beside you from getting your PIN number. A favorite scam of thieves is using a cell phone camera to take a picture of the numbers on the front of a credit card while memorizing the PIN as it is entered. They now have all they need to go shopping courtesy of the victim.

7. When walking in the mall or in the store parking lots, Avoid being too encumbered. Someone weighed down with lots of packages makes a good victim. When walking to your car, always have year keys ready. Statistics show that 85% of crimes that occur at a shopping area happen in the parking lot. Having your keys in hand limits your time in the lot. Follow your instincts. If you are uncomfortable about walking to your car, ask security for an escort. That’s what they are there for.

8. Try to avoid using mall and store restrooms. Many are victims of theft who set their packages down on the floor of the stall. Snatching bags from the adjacent stall is quick and easy. It’s not so easy to chase your stolen bags from that sitting position. Same rule applies to dressing rooms as well.

9. After making your purchase, never keep the receipt in the bag. If your purchase is lost or stolen, so is your proof of buying that item along with your credit card information in some cases.

10. Most credit card data capture devices are now set up so that they do not print your card number on the receipt. Some merchants, however, still use older machines that print out the entire card number. Notorious for this are many restaurants, especially Chinese eateries. If the “Merchant Copy” has your credit card number printed on it, never leave it unattended at the table when you leave.

11. Last but not least, you should always investigate the store’s return and gift card policies. Some places charge a hefty restocking fee on items returned. Also, that $50 gift card may only be worth $35 six months from now. Although these things may not be crimes, if you get stung, they sure will feel like it!

Have a happy and crime-free holiday!

The Pros and Cons of Carrying Firearms, Stun Guns and Defense Sprays

I am often asked what people should carry to defend themselves. The options run the gambit from pepper spray to firearms, so here is how I break it down.

1. Firearms: Unless you have extensive weapons training, I never advise carrying a gun. Let me be clear: I am not anti-gun, I just think they do not belong in the hands of those who don’t understand the responsibility that comes with them. If you carry a gun, be prepared to use it. Any hesitation due to a second thought, lack of proper training, etc. can and usually will result in an unintended victim getting hurt. Not to mention the liability that the firearm itself brings to an environment where there are children.

2. Stun Guns: Stun guns are fairly small, hand held devices that produce a current of electricity in the range of 20,000 to 150,000 volts. Considering that the normal household appliance voltage is about 120, these can be a powerful and dangerous thing to carry with you. These units will, for the most part, knock down most approaching attackers if all conditions are right. For example: If the assailant is wearing heavy clothing, the affect may be greatly diminished. Another thing to consider is the fact that these units are “contact” weapons. You must be close enough to physically touch the intended target. Consider someone coming at you with intent to do you harm, how close do you want to get?

3. Sprays: There are three basic types of chemical self-defense sprays:

CN – Now somewhat outdated, it was used by the military and police departments in the 1960’s and 1970’s. More a vapor than a gas, these “tear gasses” or MACE have proven to be ineffective at times especially on those under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. Mainly because of their broad availability at one time, these products are on the market.

CS – An irritant that affects the mucus membranes in the nose and throat, it is slightly more effective that CN gas, but like CN, can cause severe problems to anyone in the area due to its toxicity. Both are also ineffective against dogs and many wild animals due to their lack of lacrimal or tear producing glands.

OC – Commonly known as pepper spray, OC, or oleoresin capsicum, is the choice chemical agent of law enforcement and defense experts alike. A strong irritant, OC is effective against both humans and animals because it affects the skin, eyes and breathing passages. It is fast acting and doesn’t require a “direct hit” on its target for a result. The cost is fairly low compared to many other gasses, about $10 for a small keychain sized unit and has virtually no lasting consequences.

As for my recommendation, I suggest the OC or pepper spray. It is easy to use, cost effective and a great deterrent to both human as well as dog attackers. It fits easily in a purse, briefcase or glove compartment and it requires no permit. Perhaps the best sell of all is the fact that if a child gets a hold of it, it will produce no more than an irritating burn. Not a chemical or electric burn as CN gas or a stun gun, but one that’s been compared to rubbing your eyes after cutting a hot pepper or tamale.

No matter what you choose for self defense, remember its purpose: SELF PROTECTION. A citizen has the right to use any force necessary to protect or defend themselves BUT they also have an obligation to flee to safety if possible and not confront danger. That is a job for the police.

Halloween Can Be Spooky Without Safety Being Scary

Halloween is a time of costumed witches and ghouls collecting candy and treats. Whether your trick-or-treaters are stalking the neighborhood or attending a community party, there are a few things to remember to help your kids stay safe and secure. We’ve heard many of these before as these tips are timeless but once again, child safety never gets old.

What Parents Should Know:

1.) When picking a costume for your child or making one at home, ensure that it fits properly. Pants, dresses and capes that are too big present a tripping hazard.
2.) If the costumes are dark in color, consider placing a reflective tape and a flashing light on the sides or back so your child can be seen in the dark and reflect in a vehicle’s headlights. Those bend-to-activate, disposable light sticks work great.
3.) If a costume comes with a mask, make sure that your child can see clearly through the eye holes and that they have good peripheral vision as well.
4.) If your child is carrying a prop such as a knife, scythe, etc., make sure that those items are soft or flexible enough that if fallen on, will not cause any injury. Metal or home-made wooden props are usually a bad idea.
5.) Plan the trick-or-treat route with your child and make sure that they stick to it.
6.) Provide your child with a flashlight containing a new set of batteries.
7.) Small children should never be permitted to go out alone.
8.) When accompanying children, have a cell phone to use in the event of an emergency or problem.
9.) Consider giving your kids a filling pre-trick-or-treat meal. This may keep them filled enough with the good stuff so they’re not tempted to snack on the goodies along the way.

What Kids Should Know:

1.) Never eat any of the candy until an adult is able to inspect the treats.
2.) Whenever possible, stay in a group and avoid going trick-or-treating alone.
3.) If alone, never go into any houses, buildings or cars for a treat.
4.) Avoid short cuts through dimly lit areas such as the woods and alleys. Stay in well-lit areas only.
5.) Always remember the rules about strangers and getting into cars without parental permission. DON'T DO IT!
6.) Only trick-or-treat at the houses that have a porch light on.

What the Homeowner Should Know:

1.) When handing out treats, have them at the front door or on the porch. Don’t expect kids to enter your home.
2.) Have the porch and sidewalk area well lit and clear of obstacles, defective stairs or bunched up carpeting. Little ghosts trip easily.
3.) Avoid having porch candles or candle lit sidewalk luminaries. Costumes and clothing can be flammable.
4.) If you have pets, especially dogs, make sure that they are contained in an area away from the trick-or-treaters. You may think that your dog doesn’t bite but the Spiderman and the witch at the door may be frightened.

Lastly, keep your own pets in mind. Whether you’re going door-to-door for treats or you’re handing out the goodies at your house, remember that chocolate is poison to cats and dogs and may even be deadly to them in any quantity. Happy Halloween!

End of Summer Doesn’t Mean the End of Watching Over Our Children

With the back-to-school season in full swing, our attention is easily diverted away from summer fun activities and turned more toward class schedules and soccer practices. Whatever our priorities, be it work, play or school, personal safety should always be at the top of the list.

We would all agree that protecting the children of our community is paramount. So, as our kids go back to school, here are a few suggestions that may help accomplish this seemingly never-ending task:

1.) When sending the kids off in the morning, take a moment out of the A.M. chaos to really notice what your children are wearing. Over 50% of missing child or runaway reports taken by police do not have an accurate clothing description because parents just didn’t pay attention.

2.) Keep an up-to-date identification kit of your children. The kit should include a recent photograph (digital is best), a full description including height, weight, hair and eye color, blood type, identifying marks, eye glasses and allergies.

3.) Know all of your children’s friends, including names and contact numbers of their parents and their addresses.

4.) Since your children should be aware of “Stranger Danger” and should know to never go with someone other than family or designated friends, consider having a code word or phrase set up between you and your child. This would be used in the event that you need to send someone unknown to your child to meet or pick them up. Continually reinforcing “Stranger Danger” every school year, like safety, never gets old.

5.) Let’s be clear about “Stranger Danger.” It refers to getting too close to or getting into a car and going with someone they don’t know. Children, like adults, need to communicate and talk to people they don’t know in order to develop that sense of easiness of suspicion. When we keep them shielded away from everyone, they are unable to develop that intuition that we all have. As parents, we usually break that “don’t talk to strangers” rule anyway, i.e. When the teller at the bank, a total stranger, gives your child a lollipop, our response is usually something like, “Well, what do you say to the nice lady?”

6.) Special order backpacks and book bags with your child’s name prominently displayed are cute, but they are a really bad idea. It tells the world, including bad guys, who your kids are. When a creepy guy approaches an eight year old girl and calls her by name, he’s suddenly not that creepy anymore.

7.) Don’t assume that your child has learned everything about personal safety from their school. These days, all schools review the basics of safety when travelling to or from school, but it is never a bad idea to reinforce these lessons. It is also never too early to start teaching your children about protecting themselves.

8.) Lastly, we teach our children to not get into a car with stranger, never answer the door to someone they don’t know, and never use drugs or alcohol. These are valuable lessons we teach our kids, but we all too often overlook another important statistic: According the Department of Justice, over 1,000 children are injured or killed every year by accidental shootings in the home. Many kids know where their parents keep their guns and are often very eager to show them off to visiting friends. Teach your children that if they visit a friend who wants to show them their dad’s gun, leave that house immediately. No conversation, no negotiation -- just get out and tell an adult. Their life may depend on it.

A great parental resource for keeping your children safe is The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com). There you can find information about child ID kits and Stranger Danger. Another resource is a book that I highly recommend to all parents, “Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe and Parents Sane.” It is written by Gavin DeBecker, an expert in personal safety and security.

Home Security Revisited

In the wake of a few recent local news stories of home burglaries and business break-ins, I felt that it was important to revisit some basic security measures to protect your family and your property. It’s a widely accepted fact within the crime prevention community that among a burglar’s least favorite things are light and the sound of an alarm (a big dog or the sound of a shotgun are at the top of the list as well).

Night break-ins consistently occur when a home or building can be breached under the cover of darkness. Because of this fact, one of the best weapons in home security is the outside spotlight. One variations of this deterrent includes a dawn-to-dusk light which includes a built-in light sensor. When there is little or no light, the sensor activates the light and turns it off again at daybreak. The other (and perhaps the most popular) outside light is the motion sensing light. Properly mounted with a clear view of the area you want to illuminate, any movement within that area turns the light on for a set amount of time. With this light, the sensor may be adjusted to be activated only when a large body of movement is detected so that neighborhood animals do not set it off. The light may also be set to stay on from one to several minutes after activated. Both of these light units range in cost from about $25 to $60 dollars. Remember to use high capacity or long-life bulbs and, most importantly, mount them high enough that they are out of reach of the bad guys.

During day time break-ins, bad guys usually knock at the front door. If answered, they ask the resident for directions or some other senseless questions before going on their way. If no one answers, they break in, usually through a window or the glass on or beside the front door. The best deterrent for this is to cut back all vegetation from your doors and windows. Landscape trees and plants may be great aesthetics but they also serve as good cover, obscuring the bad guy’s actions from the street and neighbors.

Another option for security, short of an installed alarm system, is an audible alarm that is activated when a door or window is breached. These systems may be installed without a complete home-monitoring system that, when activated, calls the police. When asked for my opinion regarding an alarm system that doesn’t require a lot of high-tech wiring or a monthly monitoring fee, I always recommend the four legged kind. In my experience as a police officer, I have never investigated a break-in or theft where there was a dog on patrol. Home security systems are great, but the keypad inside your front door can’t bring you your slippers or show you that it’s happy you are home.

If you are thinking about the installation of a home security system, I recommend visiting http://www.securitysystems.net/. There you can learn about the products that are available, pricing and how to find the best security system for you and your family.

As a fifteen-year police veteran and crime prevention practitioner, Daniel has instructed police officers on how to teach crime prevention in their communities. The fundamental ideals of crime prevention are simple: Pay attention to your surroundings, use common sense, listen to your inner voice and trust your instincts. Intuition exists to protect us and help keep us safe.

For questions or comments email Daniel at bcrimefree@aol.com or for past articles and tips visit his blog at bcrimefree.blogspot.com.

Protecting Children On-Line

From the time that kids can walk and talk, parents embark on the seemingly endless yet necessary mission to keep them safe. Children are bombarded with advice and instruction to ensure their safety and good health. These instructions include looking both ways before crossing the street, staying out of the puddles on those rainy days, and of course the most popular: “Don’t talk to strangers.” Unfortunately, the FBI reports that one in five children who are online receive a sexual solicitation each year because, while in a chat room, children don’t know for sure whom they are talking with.

One recent report cited that nine out of ten children between the ages of eight and sixteen have viewed pornographic images on the Internet. In many of these cases, the sex sites were accessed unintentionally when a child, often in the process of doing research for school, keyed what they thought were innocent words that led them to a very unhealthy world. For example: if doing research on our president and the government, whitehouse.gov is the correct web address, while whitehouse.com is an entirely different location for adults only. I know a police officer who was online with his very young daughter who was looking for information on her favorite Disney movie. He never imaged that keying Beauty and the Beast would take him--and his very attentive little girl--to a very bizarre place.

It is truly difficult to avoid these addresses. A new web site appears every 17 seconds, with more than 4,000 new sites being registered every day. Today, at least 100 of those new sites will be selling or displaying pornography. Unfortunately, this wave of entrepreneurship brings with it a whole breed of predators and outright creeps.

Right now, somewhere in America, a thirteen-year-old girl has joined a chat room through a popular social site. It seems harmless enough as the room is titled something like “Girls 13 to 15 Rule.” She can see many of the participants chat about school, classes, the latest movies, etc. She hits it off with a girl who shares similar interests, and after a while she will be invited to enter into a private chat where no one else can view the conversation. What isn’t readily known is that not all are girls 13 to 19. There are 30, 40 and 50 year old men who use these chat rooms to seek out their quarry. They gain the trust of these unsuspecting victims by posing as young girls and boys. The predators will tell children what they need and want to hear. They are masters of manipulation knowing just what button to push in these kids.

With all of the bad guys out there, there are few things that you can do to protect your children online:

Limit internet access to only one room of your home where activity can be monitored. In most cases of online child luring, the parents did not know that their child was conversing with others.
If kids are connected to a social network, know who their online friends are.
Limit the time that children are online.
Become familiar with and look out for on-screen internet slang that your child is typing, such as POS which actually means Parent Over Shoulder, or PIR meaning Parent In Room. To learn most of these codes, just look up “Internet Slang.”
Watch for out of town packages or gifts sent to your child. These are often tools such as digital cameras used by predators to gain photos, etc.

Being aware can save your family and your children!

Protect Your Identity

Recently, an employee of a major United States airline had his travel bag stolen. Although it didn’t contain any high ticket items such as expensive electronics or jewelry, it was the most expensive personal theft reported to the local police in a decade. Aside from a change of clothing and a travel alarm clock, the victim’s bag contained only his wallet, checkbook and employee identification. With these three personal documents, the thief managed to fraudulently purchase over three-hundred thousand dollars worth of items at the victim’s expense.
Identity theft is defined as the deliberate assumption of another person's identity for the purpose to gain access to their finances, their confidential information or to set-up or “frame’ another for a crime. According to the Justice Department, over the past five years, an average of ten million Americans each year are victims of some type of identity theft. These victims each averaged from $1,850.00 to $14,000 in loss. This figure does not include lost time and wages stemming from court appearances and time communicating with creditors as well as law enforcement and legal professionals. One of perhaps the most alarming statistics is the fact 68% of the victims report that even after they believed that their information was corrected with their creditors after they provided police reports, etc., there still remained negative information on their records.

It is estimated that 2 out of every 5 people have been or will be victims of identity theft.
Here are a few tips that may help you avoid becoming another statistic:

1. Never give out your personal information to someone who calls you. Many scams include persons posing as bank or credit card employees. This includes not disclosing your PIN number. There is no retailer, credit card company or bank that will ever ask you for that specific information.

2. Secure and keep in a safe place all of your personal documentation, i.e. social security card, birth certificate, check book, credit cards etc.

3. Keep track of your credit spending and bank information. Know ALL of your account balances. If you do not spend excessively by charging high amounts on your debit or credit cards each month, notify your card issuers and bank of that fact. They may then be able to “red flag” any sudden large purchases by contacting you directly for authorization.

4. Keep any paper statements to a minimum. Many companies now give their customers the option of paperless or on-line invoicing and billing. If you do have a need for paper records, a paper shredder is the best way to dispose of sensitive personal information.

5. Bill paying, doing your taxes and purchasing products on-line can be safe and sometimes even safer that carrying large amounts of cash or using credit cards at a store. Just make sure that you are accessing internet sites that are safe to use. In most cases, the larger retailers are set up for safe and secure transactions. Don’t forget that how you access the internet is just as important as the sites you visit. Make sure that you utilize a secure server for your computer. In many cases, coffee shops, cafes and public parks are not secure places to be sending personal and sensitive information from.

6. Whether you get your credit or bank statements on-line or in the mail, don’t just put them in a folder or drop them in a drawer. Scrutinize every purchase and question the out of the ordinary. Aside from fraud and theft, credit card companies, retailers and even banks make mistakes.

7. Lastly, keep all contact information for your credit card issuers and banks separate from your personal information.

Stay safe!

Tough Times Bring Out Financial Predators

It does not take an economist to know that times are tough. Unfortunately while most people are re-evaluating their budgets and spending, predators are lurking in the shadows ready to pounce on unsuspecting homeowners just trying to stay afloat. In these times of perceived financial uncertainty, it may be more important than ever to be vigilant as to whom you trust.

One banking watchdog organization reported that in many areas of the country, foreclosure rates rose as much as 30% between March 2008 and February 2009. Although some experts believe that many of these figures are over-estimated and inaccurate, the reports fuel the fear many have of losing their homes and suffering financial devastation. It is that very fear that scammers and con artists use to their advantage to exploit homeowners.

According to one recent news report, last year American homeowners were defrauded out of 5 billion dollars, up 1 billion from 2007. Pennsylvania ranked tenth in the number of states with the most fraud cases, totaling nearly $41 million dollars of loss in 2008.

Although there are many variations of fraud scams and schemes, here are the three most popular:

False Help - In this scam, the con artist promises to represent and rescue the homeowner from high bills and debt. Often charging very high fees, the predators claim to negotiate with lenders and creditors, often telling homeowners to ignore any communication from the banks or their agents.

In some of the reported cases, the con artist convinces the homeowner to make the mortgage payment directly to them and not to the lender. Believing that the credit details are “all worked out” and in the hands of a third party, the homeowners don’t know that they’ve been conned until it’s too late and the house is in foreclosure.

The Bailout - With many homeowners drowning in a sea of credit card and mortgage debt, they look for a way out at any cost. Recognizing and then preying on this desperation, with this scheme a scammer is able to convince or trick the homeowner into signing over the deed to the house. Then for a nominal fee, the con artist rents the residence back to the original homeowner who hopes to be able to reclaim their home in better economic days.

Unfortunately, when all is said and done, the con artist has bled the house of most or all of its equity and the original homeowner can’t afford to buy it back.

Bait and Switch - In this scheme, thieves pose as legitimate mortgage counselors and lure clients with promises of low rates and the professional service of guiding them through the mazes of the bank paperwork. With the hopes that these “counselors” are the answer to their money problems, the victims sign mountains of forms that are false or forged. Some of the documentation includes “grant deeds” that enable the thieves to pass the property to a third party ultimately victimizing the client by leaving them with a monthly mortgage but without a house to live in. Many of the popular targets of this swindle are the elderly or foreign buyers.

Times are tough but don’t make them any harder by ignoring these few simple rules:

1.) Whether it’s a contractor or a so-called “financial expert”, either completely avoid or thoroughly check the credentials of anyone who approaches you for your business.

2.) When dealing with a third party is any business circumstance, never sign over complete control of your finances to a stranger or outside service. Legitimate mortgage brokers or financial service companies will never ask you for control of your bank account.

3.) Communicate with your lender, bank and creditors. Speak with them directly and with or without a hired mediator. Know what your responsibilities are and get all agreements in writing.

4.) If you do feel the need for a counseling agency, make sure that they are not only licensed by the state, but certified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

5.) Don’t sign anything that you do not understand or agree to. Mortgage issues can be a very slippery legal slope so never hesitate to contact an attorney. Your local county bar association can help.

Get out of debt schemes are just like get rich quick schemes. Remember the rule: If it is too good to be true, than it probably is.

Travel Safety & Security

In recent weeks, I’ve had quite a few requests for travel tips on topics ranging from airport security to cruise ship safety. To address all of these issues, we will break these travel topics down one at a time. Our first subject is general travel security.

When taking a trip either on land, sea or by air, it is always a good idea to photograph all of your valuables and make two photocopies of all credit cards, passports, airline tickets and any other important documents that you are taking. Keep one copy at home for your records and take the other copy with you but never to be kept in the same suitcase or carry-bag as the originals.

Whether you are in an airport or a hotel lobby, always keep a close eye on your luggage and carry bags. Thieves who prey on tourists are experts at snatching your valuables right from under your nose and often in a fraction of a second. Ladies should make sure that their purse is zippered closed and men should carry their wallets in a front pants pocket.

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Although you will need some currency, keep most of your money in traveler’s checks. American Express checks seem to work the best since they are more widely recognized and fairly easy to replace when stolen or lost. Whenever possible, break up your trip money among others with you, i.e. spouse, older children, etc. but never leave currency or checks in your hotel or motel room. No matter how clever you may think you are, those who have access to your accommodations know all of the hiding places.

When hiding your valuables, remember that thieves make their living being good at taking your stuff. I had a friend who sent for a catalogue of “security safes & devices.” These include common-looking aerosol cans, such as hairspray and cleaning products. They look ordinary enough, but the base of the can screws off to reveal a hollow chamber. When her jewelry was taken from one of these so-called “safes,” she asked the police investigator how the thieves could have known. The detective’s answer was simple: “Thieves send away for the same catalogues that you do.” Most major hotels and motels have safes in the lobby or the rooms themselves, so take advantage of that service.

Some travel safety gurus recommend stashing money and jewelry in those dark brown medicine and prescription bottles. This is clearly a bad idea due to the fact that many thieves steal to support a drug habit. Why then should cash and jewels be stored in “pill bottles?” When traveling with your medications, always hold them among your valuables to be secured and held onto just as tightly as your cash, traveler’s checks, and jewelry.

Since 911, we’ve been inundated with facts and information on airport luggage restrictions as to what is allowed and what is not. For answers to all of your airline travel questions, visit the Transportation Safety Administration’s web site at TSA.gov. There you will find a complete list of regulations and helpful guides for traveling with medicines, children and prohibited items.

Last, but not least, it’s always fun to go off the beaten path once in a while, but for the most part you should have an itinerary and stick to it. Make loved ones at home aware of that itinerary and consider scheduling frequent check-in times, especially when traveling abroad. When hiring a local tour guide, make sure that they are reputable. You can do this through a travel agent or your local AAA office.

Remember: Being aware is your best weapon against being a victim!

Spring Brings Flowers... and Home Improvement Scams

Although it is still cold, spring is soon upon us and with it the season of home and garden clean up and repair. Unfortunately, the following scenario is sure to be repeated countless times across the United States.

Like most seniors, Margaret wasn’t a wealthy woman but had enough in savings to live comfortably. While sitting on her porch one spring day, a man drove up in front of her house in a pick-up truck with equipment in the back and ladders on the roof. The sign on the side said “Smith Construction, Helping People for 25 Years.”

He got out of the truck, looked at Margaret and pointed to the roof. “Looks like you got a problem, ma’am. I was driving past and I saw that the flashing on your roof is loose. A good wind will take that right off.” “How much will that cost?” Margaret asked. “Well, you remind me a lot of my great aunt so nothing at all,” the man said. “I’ve got extra material and tar right here in the truck.” And with that, he was up the ladder and seemingly hard at work. Ten minutes and one tar covered brush later, the man came back down the ladder, only now with bad news for Margaret.

What started out as a “Let me help you for free” minor roofing job turned into a ten-thousand dollar repair that she never needed in the first place. Margaret is the victim of a common home improvement scam.

Every year, thousands of thieves take advantage of senior citizens by utilizing this scam. According to a recent study released by the U.S. Department of Justice, 3.6 million or 3% of all households in the U.S. have been victimized by some sort of a home repair or improvement scam. Of these victims, nearly 61% are senior citizens age sixty or older and in Pennsylvania alone, these thefts accounted for 71% of the complaints filed with the Pa. Attorney General’s Office.

These scammers are successful for many reasons but mainly because most of the victims are unwilling or unable to get up on a roof and see the “problem” for themselves In addition to knowing their victim’s physical limitations, scammers also use many tricks and props to facilitate their deception. These props may include a bucket of black paint to resemble a fresh tar repair job or pieces of broken shingle or flashing taken not from the roof but brought with the thief to show the victim.

Once the thief has the victim lured into a false sense of security, they now take advantage of the victim’s trust and their bank account. The age of the personal computer and “do it yourself” printing and business promotion kits even permits the thief to be armed with a variety of official looking paperwork including business cards, flyers, brochures and job estimate forms. After the victim is hooked, the scam artist will often keep “retuning to the well” and build a relationship of trust with the victim. In many cases, trusting seniors have even been talked into handing over blank checks.

Here are a few suggestions that can help you avoid becoming a victim:

1.) Avoid hiring anyone who has solicited you. As we’ve seen in Margaret’s case, a man approached her out of the blue and offered to do labor for free. A true professional, when called by the homeowner, will give a written estimate detailing labor and materials before any work begins.

2.) Always check credentials through a third party of your choosing a contractor. Don’t accept the reference given by the contractor. They are likely family or friends. Always check with the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

3.) Contact your local police department and ask if there are any complaints of home improvement scam artists in the area. Some communities have programs through their building inspectors geared toward victim education. The police can also tell you if the contractor has a permit to solicit you. Your local officers are there to help you so don’t ever hesitate to call them!

4.) Never pay for any improvement or construction job upfront. A reputable contractor will never ask for all monies in advance. An accepted payment or installment method is a down payment or advance, a middle payment and an end payment when the job is completed. Run far away from any contractor who wants all of the money up front. It’s a good bet they and your cash will disappear as soon as your check clears.

5.) Get multiple estimates on the work and get them in writing. After selecting a contractor, get in writing: Their full name, address, telephone number, their insurance information, a complete description of the type of work to be done, all materials used, a start and estimated completion date, a total cost of ALL work performed and an agreed payment method and schedule.

6.) Never sign a contract with blank spaces. This allows for deception such as the scam artist adding on extra work and/or materials that you did not agree to.

7.) Ask to obtain lien waivers. This protects you from a shady contractor placing a lien on your home or property in the event sub contractors or secondary workers employed and paid by your contractor are not paid.

8.) Find out if the materials that the contractor is using have guarantees or warranties. If they do, get those warranties in writing. You should have a copy and hold the paperwork on those guarantees, not the contractor.

9.) If you are physically unable to inspect the completed work, ask someone you know to inspect it for you. You may even be able to contact your local building inspector for assistance.

10.) When in doubt or if something doesn’t seem quite right, DON’T HIRE THAT CONTRACTOR. Listen to your inner voice… it’s talking to you for a reason!

Crime prevention is accomplished by knowledge and awareness. Following these few simple steps may save you personal frustration and financial hardship. An honest and legitimate contractor will have no qualms providing any information you request. Just remember two important rules: “When in doubt, check them out” and “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Protecting Your Home Doesn't Mean Breaking the Bank

Our question for this month is about home security and comes from Pamela D. from Bethel Park. She writes:

Dear Daniel,

I want to protect my family and our belongings, but a monthly home security monitoring fee and system installation just isn’t in the budget. What do you suggest?

Protecting your home and your possessions doesn’t have to break the bank. There are many simple steps that you can take to make your house unappealing to burglars and thieves. In any situation, thieves want the easy way to take something. If it appears too hard or too risky to break into your home, bad guys are more likely to move on to easier pickings. Here are a few suggestions that may help you keep what belongs to you.

1.) Landscaping adds beauty and value to your home, but the placement of some greenery can create obstructions. Many people have trees and shrubbery planted too closely to doors and windows. If your view to the street is obstructed, so also is a potential burglar obstructed. A bad-guy could be hidden behind a large hedge or tree and out of the view of your neighbors and patrolling police.
2.) Check your property for items left lying about that can be utilized by bad guys. Ladders are often left unsecured or even extended and against the house. Are trees growing too closely to the house giving access to the second floor after a short and easy climb? Do you use a “Hide a Key” fake rock to keep a key near a door? Remember, thieves know what these tools look like.
3.) Take a good look at the locks that are on your doors. If there are glass panels in the doors themselves or beside them, as many decorative front doors have, be sure to use what is known as a “key in, key out” lock and not the turn-type deadbolt mechanism. At night, remove the key and place it near the door but not within the reach of an arm extending through a broken window. The down side to this system is that it does not make for a fast escape in the event of a fire or medical emergency.
4.) Video and camera systems are more available and do sell for less than they did 10 years ago, but peepholes are still a good idea. The installation of a peephole enables you to see who is at your door without opening the door itself. Just remember, if you have children make sure that they can see through it or consider installing a second peephole at their eye level.
5.) Good exterior lighting is always a good idea. The two things that thieves and burglars hate the most are bright lights and the sound of a barking dog. Motion lights are great, but make sure that they are out of reach and too high to be tampered with.
6.) If you are considering an alarm system, remember to always shop smart. Many, if not all, alarm monitoring companies offer specials and discount deals. They want to sell you the service, so don’t be afraid to negotiate what hardware comes with it. Systems include door and window contacts and a keypad. Often if you ask for additional contacts or a keypad, you may get it. Do your homework and ask questions about response time as well. For this, talk with your neighbors or the police, they can guide you. Beware of false alarm set-offs. Many municipalities will give you so-many calls but then charge you for any additional false alarms.
7.) Lastly, I am often asked, “I thought I heard something the other night, should I have called the police?” My answer is always ABSOLUTELY! No matter where you live, there are officers on patrol who are tasked with keeping you safe. Never hesitate to call the police if you hear noises or see a suspicious person or vehicle.

As always… Better to be safe!