Crime-Safety-Security.com
Newsletter
23 September 2008

Folklore and fables – from vampire and wolfman legends to tales of The Brothers’ Grimm – tell us of ogres, fiends, and monsters. Today we call them violent criminals. They’ve always plagued us and – as long as passions, madness, and evil exist – always will. Let’s blow away a predator's biggest advantage: the naïveté of the prey.

PEEPING TOMS
Jared Baxter broke into a woman’s apartment but she managed to get away. A few days later, another victim at the same complex was taking out her garbage when Baxter forced himself into her apartment and raped her. Baxter struck yet another victim but she fought him off. ... Officers say Baxter peered through windows, closely watching his unsuspecting victims. But this morning, deputies caught him in the act. On hidden cameras, they saw Baxter look into the window of a young woman's apartment. But when he saw a deputy, he took off. Officers followed Baxter and arrested him. … Statistically, police say there is one peeping tom in every neighborhood. They warn people to be on the look out for anyone suspicious. Also look for cigarette butts and tissues near windows.
Excerpted from WAGT-TV NBC Augusta GA - July 17, 2008

See Cracks in Home Security

Many identity theft victims are helpless as thieves pirate private information that banks, credit-card companies, merchants, the government and others don't guard closely enough. Victims trying to clear their names often get little help from credit-card companies, which are insured against fraud and so have little incentive to fight it. Credit-card companies and other institutions rarely notify customers when security breaches occur. The credit industry, many critics complain, is like a sleeping baby-sitter. Entrusted with sensitive information, creditors carelessly hand out credit cards and offer personal information to the highest bidder.
Excerpted from The Philadelphia Inquirer – 22 December 2003

Some consumer advocates feel that credit-monitoring services are not only ineffective but wildly overpriced as well. Though the above ID thefts are beyond your control, you can nevertheless reduce the overall threat by carefully monitoring your monthly bank and credit card accounts. Also go to annualcreditreport.com for a free credit history check on yourself. If you find suspicious activity, contact that company as well as Equifax at equifax.com or 800-525-6285, Experian at experian.com or 888-397-3742, Trans Union at tuc.com or 800-680-7289, and the Social Security Administration at 800-269-0271.

If your ID was stolen, notify the above credit agencies, your bank, the local police, the FBI's Internet fraud division at FBI.gov, and the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft Clearinghouse at consumer.gov/idtheft or 887 ID-Theft (877-438-4338). For further help, contact idtheftcenter.org, privacyrights.org, and callforaction.org or 866-ID-Hotline (866-434-6854).

Online "phishers" send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with – for example, your Internet service provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to “update” or “validate” your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don’t respond. The message directs you to a Web site that looks just like a legitimate organization’s site, but it isn’t. The purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name. … Do not reply or click on the link in the message. Never email personal or financial information. Use anti-virus software and a firewall.
Excerpted from the FTC web site at ftc.gov

Though nonviolent, ID theft wreaks havoc on a victim’s life. Protect yourself with the following safeguards:
• Destroy all documents with personal information before discarding them where snoops can find them.
• Remove your name from the marketing lists of Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union – sources of many unsolicited pre-approved credit applications at optoutprescreen.com or 888-567-8688.
• Do not click on "Remove from list" e-mail messages, it validates your e-mail address and increases spam.
• Have your name taken off direct mailing lists by writing to the Direct Marketing Association - Mail Preference Service - PO Box 9008 - Farmington NY 11735.
• Demand that creditors or landlords remove your Social Security ID number (SSN) from all paperwork, and have your original credit report shredded before your eyes. They need to keep only your name and credit score.
• Order products online only on a secure web site beginning with https:// (not the usual http://), and with a closed padlock icon on the bar near the top of the screen. Other tips are available at nyc.gov/consumers.
• ID thieves often have insiders at retailers who sell the information on customers' checks or credit cards. It's better to pay with cash or a debit card (be discreet while typing in your pin number).
• When writing checks to pay for your credit card accounts, include only the last four digits of your account number so not everyone in the banking system will have access to your complete number.
• Don’t sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
• When ordering new checks, put your first initial and last name, your work address, and your work phone number. Never have your SSN printed on your checks.
• Never carry your SS card in your wallet. Don’t use your SSN on your driver's license, and say no when businesses want to use your SSN for ID.
• Thieves love finding a box of new bank checks in your mailbox. Pick them up at your bank instead.
• Don't put outgoing mail in your mailbox. Perhaps get an anti-theft/anti-vandal curbside mailbox available for $800 at MailTheftSolutions.com or 770-775-2449 or for $350 at EnergyTechnologyLaboratories.com or 800-344-3242. Or receive all your mail at a Post Office Box. ID theft victims know it's worth the inconvenience.
• Beware of a caller claiming to be a court jury coordinator and threatening you with an arrest warrant because you didn't show up for jury duty. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the caller asks for your SSN and date of birth to verify then cancel the arrest warrant. If you comply, kiss your ID goodbye.
• Photocopy and safely store both sides of your driver’s license, credit card, etc. along with the toll-free phone numbers to call (immediately) if your wallet is lost or stolen. Include all the credit agencies and SSN contact info listed above as well. Immediately notify the police in the jurisdiction where your wallet was stolen or lost.

Finally, beware of anyone calling you saying he found your lost wallet and wanting you to come retrieve it – sometimes it’s a trap to rob or rape you.

Think of all the people who could benefit from what you’re learning in this newsletter. Forward this to them.

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Pointing out a victim's possible missteps before she fell prey is not always a bad thing, according to Linda Fairstein, renowned author and former New York City sex crimes prosecutor. "If we can learn something from it, we can give her back some dignity," she says. "If we see what the risks are and what would prevent this from happening to someone else, then there's something that benefits the memory of that victim."
Excerpted from The New York Daily News – 24 August 2006

We’d be wise to learn from the little mistakes of victims. Usually, they didn’t know that predators are always hunting for carefree prey. As Dr. Anna Salter wrote in Predators, "Normal, healthy people distort reality to create a kinder, gentler world than really exists."

You don’t need a bulletproof vest, a bodyguard, or to sleep with one eye open – just a new attitude toward being S.A.F.E.:

Skeptical of anyone trying to get near you or trying to isolate you,
Aware of danger zones and escape strategies,
Flexible: being tricky, changing strategies as needed – and if worse comes to worst:
Exploding like a mad dog to fight for your life. Stun & run. See Fighting Options.

Whenever you’re tempted to be careless, ask yourself, "What could possibly happen?" The stories throughout this newsletter and web site show what could possibly happen – and how to avoid being easy prey.

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