1. AUTO THEFT PREVENTION

REDUCE YOUR CHANCES OF BECOMING A VICTIM...

1. INSTALL A VISIBLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE.
   
2. DON'T LEAVE YOUR KEYS IN YOUR CAR.
   
3. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS LOCK YOUR CAR.
   
4. TRY TO PARK YOUR CAR IN A WELL LIT AREA.
   
5. NEVER LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE RUNNING UNATTENDED, NOT EVEN IN YOUR DRIVEWAY.
   
6. ALWAYS CLOSE THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF, LOCK THE DOORS AND ACTIVATE ANY SECURITY DEVICES WHEN LEAVING YOUR CAR UNATTENDED.
   
7. WHEN YOU PARK YOUR CAR, REMOVE MOBILE PHONES, STEREOS, AND OTHER POSSESSIONS. IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE SOMETHING IN YOUR CAR, LOCK THE ITEM IN THE TRUNK OR AT LEAST OUT OF SIGHT.
   
8. MAKE A COPY OF YOUR LICENSE PLATE AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND KEEP IT IN YOUR WALLET. IF YOUR VEHICLE IS STOLEN IT CANNOT BE ENTERED INTO A STATEWIDE NETWORK WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS TAKE THE TIME TO
STOP & LOCK

2. BURGLARY

How To Prevent Home Burglaries

1. Fool burglars by making your home look occupied even when you are not there.
2. Use automatic timers on lights when you are away from home.
3. Park your cars in the garage with the garage door closed. Closing the garage door and having curtains or blinds on the garage windows also keeps your belongings out of sight.
4. Place radios on automatic timers and raise their volume.
5. Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers when you are away or place a temporary stop on these deliveries.
6. If you are away for an extended period of time, put a plan in place to have your yard cared for, your grass mowed and the snow shoveled in front of your house.
7. Ask a neighbor to take your garbage cans out and bring them back in if you are away.
8. Set up timers on your window draperies.
9. Install motion detectors, inside and outside.
10. Keep bushes and shrubs near windows and doors trimmed and free of overgrowth.
11. Select shrubs and bushes with thorns to deter potential intruders.
12. Install a security alarm system on your house and garage and a peephole at your front door.
13. Lock all your doors and windows when you leave the house.
14. Do not hide spare keys outside your home.
15. Do not provide your house keys to service people.
16. Do not have money or jewelry lying in view of a window.
17. Do not divulge your daily routines to strangers.
18. If you are at home working outside, leave the other doors that are out of sight locked.
19. Do not tell others about valuables in your home.
20. Discuss home security with your children and teach them not to open the front door to strangers.
21. Keep valuables in a safety deposit box away from your home.
22. Unplug your garage door opener if you are leaving your home for an extended period of time.

3. CYBERCRIMES

Definition

Cyberspace is a giant universe of exploration for young people. Predators, sexual deviants, and other abusers are on the look out for vulnerable prey on the Internet, making it a world of exploitation.

Tips

Use Strong Security Practices on Your Computer:

• Keep your antivirus software updated.
• Install a firewall.
• Use passwords that are difficult to decipher.
• Don’t respond to emails from businesses asking for your personal information. Go to their websites independently instead of clicking on any links within emails.
• Supervise anyone who accesses your computer and require a user account to login.
• Set your internet browser settings to block software that tries to automatically install itself and be very careful about clicking on pop-ups that look legitimate, especially ones that attempt to install software.
• When entering personal information online, look to see that it’s a secure site, with https at the beginning of the website address and the locked icon at the bottom of the screen.

Cybercrime Quiz:

1. What is the most common cybercrime?

A. Virus/worm/Trojan infection

B. Laptop theft

C. Denial of service attack

D. Website defacement

2. What percentage of cybercrime attacks come from the inside?

A. 25%

B. 45%

C. 60%

D. 80%

3. What percentage of music CDs sold worldwide are pirated?

A. 5%

B. 25%

C. 35%

D. 50%

4. Which of the following cybercrimes constitute identity theft?

A. New account fraud

B. Phishing

C. Advance Fee scams

D. Website hacking to steal personal or financial information

5. Which of the following countries is not one of the top 3 locations for phishing sites?

A. U.S.

B. Japan

C. Korea

D. China

Answers:

1-A, 2-D, 3-C, 4-all, 5-B

4. GANGS

Gang Threats

Gang and gang-related threats are an area of great concern for many parents. Very often in today’s society both parents are working outside of the home. When their children come home to an empty house, who will help keep them from falling into the trap of joining a gang?

Reasons for joining a gang

• A search for acceptance, structure, and discipline

• A sense of belonging and commitment

• The need for recognition and power

• Companionship, training, excitement and activities

• A sense of self-worth and status

• A place of acceptance

• The need for physical safety and protection

• A family tradition

Prevention

Youth gang involvement is not a new phenomenon in the United States. Gangs have been known to exist in our country since the 18th-century. Parents play a leading role in keeping kids out of gangs and in bringing back those who are already flirting with a neighborhood gang. The gang problem is not likely to go away soon or to be eliminated easily.

Here are a few gang-prevention strategies:

• The family and the community are essential to the development of the child’s social, emotional, and physical needs. If the family is the source of love, guidance, and protection that youth seek, they are not forced to search for these basic needs from a gang.

• Strong education and training are directly related to a youth’s positive development. Young people who successfully participate in and complete education have greater opportunities to develop into reasonable adults.

• Graffiti removal reduces the chance that crimes will be committed. Since gangs use graffiti to mark their turf, advertise themselves, and claim credit for a crime, quick removal is essential.

• Recreational programs such as sports, music, drama, and community activities help build a sense of self-worth and self-respect in young people. Youth involved in such activities are less likely to seek membership in a gang.

5. DUI PREVENTION

What you can do to prevent DUI

• Never drive after drinking alcohol.
• Do not ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Intervene and stop an intoxicated person from driving.
• Designate a non-drinking driver ahead of time.
• Offer to be a designated non-drinking driver for your friends and family.
• Report suspected intoxicated drivers to the police.

If you find yourself in a situation in which you have been drinking and are ready to go home - you can:

• Make a reservation and spend the night.
• Call a taxi cab to drive you home. (You can ask for a bartender or restaurant manager for assistance in calling a taxi cab.)
• Call a non-drinking friend and ask for a ride home.

How to intervene and stop an intoxicated person from driving

• If it is a close friend, try and use a soft, calm approach at first. Suggest to them that they've had too much to drink and it would be better if someone else drove or if they took a cab.
• Be calm. Joke about it. Make light of it.
• Try to make it sound like you are doing them a favor.
• If it is somebody you don't know well, speak to their friends and have them make an attempt to persuade them to hand over the keys. Usually they will listen.
• If it's a good friend, spouse, or significant other, tell them that if they insist on driving, you are not going with them. Suggest that you will call someone else for a ride, take a cab, or walk.
• Locate their keys while they are preoccupied and take them away. Most likely, they will think they've lost them and will be forced to find another mode of transportation.
• If possible, avoid embarrassing the person or being confrontational. This makes them appear vulnerable to alcohol and its effects.

6. ELDER ABUSE

Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. It can constitute physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect and abandonment.

Elder Abuse: Physical, Behavioral, and Sexual Abuse Indicators:

Physical Abuse Indicators

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Lacerations
• Unattended or untreated health needs
• Inconsistent or implausible explanation for injuries
• New and unexplained bruises, cuts and burns
• Incontinence
• Poor hygiene
• Bite marks
• Decubiti (Bed Sores)
• Overmedication or sedation
• Broken bones/fractures

Behavioral Abuse Indicators

• Fear
• Withdrawal
• Isolation
• Disorientation
• Embarrassment
• Depression
• Anger
• Confusion
• Agitation/Anxiety
• Hesitation to talk openly
• Non-Responsiveness

Sexual Abuse Indicators

• Trauma to the genitals, rectum, mouth and/or breasts (such as bruising, bleeding, injury, infection, scarring, redness, irritation and/or pain)
• Injury to the face, neck, chest, abdomen, thighs and/or buttocks
• Presence of a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
• Unexplained vaginal/anal bleeding
• Fear, anxiety, mistrust, shame and/or humiliation
• Elder’s report of sexual assault or rape

How to Avoid Being a Victim

• Be wary of strangers that show up unannounced at your door.
  
• ALWAYS verify anyone who calls or comes to your house uninvited to provide any service.
  
• NEVER give out personal information over the telephone or Internet unless you know for sure who you are dealing with. You should initiate any contact over the Internet.
  
• Check out references and contact regulatory agencies (i.e., State Bar; Registrar of Contractors; Corporation Commission; City licenses, Better Business Bureau, etc.) and make sure they have a valid license or permit.
  
• Place your name on the DO NOT CALL lists; don’t be afraid to hang-up on solicitors.
  
• Obtain a written contract with a firm price before any work begins and obtain receipts.
  
• Use secured postal mailboxes and retrieve your incoming mail in a timely manner.
  
• SHRED all statements, bills, cancelled checks and anything else with your personal or account information.
  
• Do not leave doors unsecured and garage doors open.
  
• TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS - If it seems to good to be true, it probably is!

7. IDENTITY THEFT

HOW TO PREVENT

Even after taking all possible precautions, a person may still become a victim of identity theft. Everyone shops, pays taxes, buys groceries, etc., and all of these transactions make your personal information available to others.  Additionally credit bureaus sell your information, the phone book lists it, and it can even be “googled” on the internet.  However, if you take the steps below, you can make it difficult for anyone to steal your identity.

Here are some things that can be done to protect against identity theft:

• Avoid giving out your Social Security number.  Do not write it on checks or other documents unless it is required for services.
• Never give personal information, credit card numbers, PIN’s or social security numbers to someone over the telephone unless you placed the call.
• Shred all credit card offers, bank and credit card statements and other personal documents before throwing them away.
• Use the Postal blue mailboxes to mail outgoing letters and pick up your mail promptly.  Avoid using home mailboxes located at the street.
• Review and reconcile bank and credit card statements on a monthly basis.
• Do not do on-line banking or other password sensitive activities over a “wireless” network.
• Check credit bureau activity reports at least once a year, through all three major credit bureaus.  Challenge any activity or information on it that is incorrect or unusual.

ARE YOU A VICTIM?

Every single day we interact with others, giving out information that could be used to make us a victim of identity theft or fraud. Here are some of the ways personal information finds its way into the hands of someone looking to take over some unsuspecting victim’s identity:

• Theft of a wallet or purse: Fifty percent of the time an identity theft starts with a simple theft of a wallet or purse containing credit cards, identification cards, and bank account numbers.  Wallets left in vehicles, purses left in vehicles or shopping carts are prime opportunities for identity theft. 

• Theft of mail: From either home mailboxes or trash, including bank statements and bank checks, credit card statements or pre-screened credit card offers, and medical or financial information.  Dumpster divers like to hang out in neighborhoods where the residents indiscriminately toss unwanted mail (especially those pesky credit card offers) into their trash.  Other mail thieves may follow behind the mail truck as they deliver mail to the boxes that are located at the street. Some identity thieves even complete a change of address form diverting mail to another location. 

• Theft of personal information: Birth certificates, vehicle registrations, social security records, etc., as the result of a residential or vehicle burglary.

• Theft of commercial records: Files that have been improperly disposed of by businesses, educational facility, health care providers, etc., where the victim may have been a customer, patient, student or employee, can lead to identity theft. Employee theft of information also can lead to identity theft.

• Skimming: The theft of credit card numbers when the card is processed through a portable card reader, usually by employees of service providers, i.e.: restaurants, retail stores, etc. 

• Spying: Information stolen by the use of telephone cameras or other hidden devices which record the PIN numbers or credit card information during transactions when credit cards are present.

• Family and friends: Sadly, those closest to you might take advantage of access to your personal information, credit cards, PIN numbers, etc.

The internet has provided many identity thieves with the means to steal personal information, often from multiple victims at a time.  

• Phishing: is the sending of fraudulent emails that request personal information.

• Spoofing: is the sending of a virus or worm in an email. Once infected, your computer then automatically relays your personal information to the sender.

• Pharming: in this scam, the identity thief uses software which deceives your internet server into sending your information to websites other than the ones you are attempting to access.

• War Driving: is the ability to locate wireless systems and using a laptop with special software to “capture” passwords and keystrokes from wireless computers not protected by adequate encryption or security programs.

Being aware of these schemes can help you defend against them. However, there is no way to keep your personal information completely safe. If you suspect you may be a victim of identity theft or fraud take the following steps:

• File a report with your local law enforcement agency.  Get the report number, and if possible, a copy of the police report.  You will need this number when contacting creditors or credit bureaus to validate your claim of being a victim.  When making the report include information such as: How the identity theft was discovered (credit card statement, credit bureau report, SSN benefits canceled, etc.). If the information was compromised as the result of on-line transactions, know the site(s) on which the information was placed (i.e.: job applications, loan applications, etc.).

• Place a fraud alert on your credit with all three of the major credit bureaus.  Call the toll-free fraud number of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report.  As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus will be notified to place fraud alerts on your account.  There will be no charge for this service.  Placing a fraud alert on your account will prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name.

Equifax – to report fraud, call:

1-800-525-6285, and write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA  30374-0241

Experian – To report fraud, call:

1-888-Experian (397-3742), and write:  P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX  75013

Trans Union – To report fraud, call:

1-800-680-7289, and write: Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA  92834-6790

Review your credit reports carefully.  Look for inquiries not initiated by you, accounts that you did not open, and any unexplained outstanding balances on your current accounts.  Also, check that your personal information such as your SSN, address(es), name or initial, and employers are correct.  Inaccuracies may simply be due to typographical errors.  However, whether due to error or fraud, you should notify the credit bureau as soon as possible by both telephone and in writing.  Annual checks of your accounts should be made to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.  Once the initial fraud alerts expire, you can renew them by contacting each bureau separately.

• Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.  Credit accounts include all accounts with banks, credit card companies or other lenders, telephone companies, utilities, ISP’s and other service providers.  If you have found new unauthorized accounts call and ask them for their fraud dispute forms.  If you find unauthorized charges or debits on an existing account call and ask them for their fraud dispute forms.  For the theft or loss of all ATM cards and credit cards and for any replacement accounts always use new Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and passwords.

If checks have been stolen or misused, contact your bank immediately.  While there is no federal law limiting your losses due to forgery or fraud, many states have laws that may limit your liability if you contact them within a timely manner.  Contact your bank for further instructions.

• File a complaint with the FTC.  Call 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338), or write: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20580; or visit: www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

Organize your Case

Accurate and complete records will help resolve your identity theft case more quickly.  Having a plan of action in place before you start contacting anyone will make sure you get all of the information or help you need.

• Prepare an action log: Record who you talked to and when.  This will help you keep your contacts in one place in case of questions later.
• Copies: Make copies of all statements checks and all correspondence, either received or sent, connected with your identity theft.  A paper trail is essential when tracking unauthorized access to your identity and your actions to rectify the situation. Provide copies of all documentation received to date when you make your initial police reports.  The more information you can provide at the beginning, the better the chance of finding the identity thief.
• Follow up: Follow up in writing with all contacts you have made on the phone or in person.  Use certified mail, return receipt requested to document what was sent and when.
• Maintain records: Keep original copies of supporting documents, such as police reports and letters to and from creditors, send copies only. Set up a filing system for easy access to your paperwork. Keep old files even if you believe the case has been closed.  Problems can still crop up later.
• Constant vigilance: Challenge all inaccurate information on your credit report.  Be sure to keep copies of the corrected reports.  Have letters available to be included with new credit applications for all information that was not resolved favorably.

All about Credit Reports

The credit bureau is the most common type of Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). CRAs compile accumulated data into a credit report that is used to determine the credit worthiness of potential customers.  The information contained in a credit report will remain for varying lengths of time.  A bankruptcy, an unpaid line of credit or closed accounts will remain on the credit report for 10 years, while credit inquiries, adverse information, judgments, foreclosures and collection accounts will only stay on the credit report for 7 years.

When asked, the credit bureau must give the requestor all information contained in his/her file, including medical information and the sources of the information.  Additionally the credit bureau must provide a list of anyone who requested the credit report within the past year (two years for employment related requests).

Another function of the credit bureau is to translate the information contained in the individual credit reports into a three digit number, between 300 and 900, called a credit score.  This credit score is the thumbnail sketch of a person’s level of risk as a borrower and, in many cases, the determining factor if someone is given credit or not. Rapid credit score fluctuations often indicate that a person has become a victim of identity theft.

In the event of a dispute over information contained in a credit report, the credit bureau and the organization providing the information to them ( bank, credit card company, etc.) have legal requirements for correcting inaccurate or incomplete information. Inaccurate information should be challenged and resolved as soon as the discrepancy is found. 

• Contact both the credit bureau and the creditor, in writing, explaining to them each item in the report that is believed to be inaccurate.  Include copies (not originals) of any documents that support the claim, state the facts, why the items are being disputed and request for a deletion or correction.  A copy of the credit report with the information in question circled would help.  Send the letter by certified mail, return receipt requested.  Document what was sent and when it was received by the credit bureaus.  Keep all copies of any letters and enclosures. 

The credit bureau will investigate the items in question, usually, within 30 days.  They must also forward all relevant data that was provided about the dispute to the information provider, who must also investigate the claim and report back to the credit bureau.  If the information provider finds the disputed information inaccurate, it must notify all nationwide CRAs so they may correct all files. Disputed information that cannot be verified must be deleted from a file.

• If the report contains inaccurate information, the CRA must correct it.
• If the item is incomplete, the CRA must complete it.
• If the files show an account that belongs strictly to another person, the CRA must delete it.

When the reinvestigation is complete the credit bureau will respond in writing with the results along with a free copy of the credit report if the reinvestigation results in any charges. If requested, the credit bureau must send notices to anyone who received a copy of the report within the last six months showing the changes. If a creditor or information provider continues to report the disputed information, it must include a notice that the item has been disputed.

"Building a Better Credit Report," (FTC)

Resolving Specific Problems

Fraudulent bank account withdrawals: State laws protect a victim from fraud committed by a thief using paper documents (stolen or counterfeit checks) and federal laws protect a victim when a thief uses an electronic transfer.

If an ATM or debit card is lost or stolen, it must be reported immediately because the amount a victim can be held responsible for depends on how quickly the loss is reported.

• Losses are limited to $50 if the loss or theft is reported within two business days of discovery.

• Losses can be up to $500 if the loss or theft is reported after two business days, but within 60 days after the unauthorized electronic fund transfer appears on a statement.

• If the report is made after 60 days all of the money that was taken from the account after the 60 days may be lost.

Note: Many card issuers limit or waive consumers’ liability for any unauthorized use of their debit cards, no matter how much time has elapsed since the discovery of the loss or theft of the card.  Contact your card issuer for further information.

After receiving the notification of error or fraudulent withdrawal on a statement, the institution generally has 10 days to investigate.  Notification of the results of the investigation must occur within 3 days after completion and must correct the error within one day after determining it had occurred.  If may take up to 45 days to complete the investigation only if they return the disputed money to the account.  If no error is found the money will be withdrawn.

Fraudulent checks and other “paper” transactions: Most states hold the bank responsible for losses from forged signatures or other such transactions, unless the victim fails to notify the bank in a timely manner that a check was lost or stolen.

A victim can contact major check verification companies directly for the following services:

• To find out if an identity thief has been passing bad checks in the name of a victim, call: SCAN: 1-800-262-7771.

• To request that they notify retailers who use their data bases not to accept the victim’s checks, call:

TeleCheck: 1-800-710-9898 or 1-800-927-0188

Certegy, Inc.: 1-800-437-5120

Fraudulently created bank accounts: If the identity thief has been opening accounts contact the banks where the accounts were opened.  Also contact: Chex Systems, Inc.: 1-800-428-9623; www.Chexhelp.com

Credit cards: The Fair Credit Billing Act has established procedures for resolving billing errors, including fraudulent charges, on credit card accounts.  The law limits liability to $50 of unauthorized charges with conditions:

Write to creditor at the address given for “billing inquiries”, not the address for sending payments.  Include name, address, account number, and a description of the billing error, including amount and date.

The letter must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to the card holder.  If an identity thief changed the address on the account and the card holder did not receive the bill, the dispute letter still must reach the creditor within 60 days of when the creditor would have mailed the billing statement.  This is one reason why a card holder must keep track of billing statements and quickly follow-up if bills do not arrive on time.

The letter should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, as proof of the date the creditor received the letter.  Keep a copy of the dispute letter.  The creditor must acknowledge the complaint in writing within 30 days after receiving it, unless the problem has been resolved.  The creditor must resolve the dispute within two billing cycles (but not more than 90 days) after receiving the letter.

"Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft," (FTC)

8. CRIME REPORTS

9. 9 IMPORTANT SAFETY TIPS

10. CHEAP BASIC HOME SECURITY SOLUTIONS

11. CAMPUS SAFETY

This Security On Campus (SOC) Public Service Announcement starring Kristen Stewart will be airing in April for Sexual Assault Awareness month and then also in September for National Campus Safety Awareness month.