Brenton Hills HOA

Safety and Crime Prevention Articles

***New Technique Used to Rape and Carjack*********

Criminals are currently using a new technique to get people out of their cars while leaving the engine running. They tape a piece of paper to the rear window so as to block the aft view using the rear view mirror. Most people approach the vehicle from the side or front and do not see the blockage. After the driver gets into the vehicle and starts the engine, they notice the blockage. They get out of the vehicle to remove it and are either attacked or carjacked. If you see something blocking you view on the rear window. DO NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. Carefully back out and drive to a different, VERY PUBLIC AREA, and then when you are sure it is safe, remove the obstruction. Better still, if you have two side view mirrors, use them to drive home and then remove the obstruction. BE SAFE:>

Keeping Valuable Information About Yourself and Valuables

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it
someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
3. Put your work phone# on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.
Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport
when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about
fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc.

Unfortunately an attorney, has firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change his driving record information online, and more.
But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this
happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily.

2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do
this).
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately
to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never
heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an
application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert
means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all
the damage had been done.
There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves'
purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then,
no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away
this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their
Tracks.
The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experience (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

How to Help Keep Thieves Away

Don't "welcome" a burglar into your home. Most residential burglars devote little if any time to the advance planning of any specific break-in. Their crimes are, for the most part,
crimes of opportunity. They pick what appears to be an easy mark. If their
advance checking and closer examination reveal a greater risk than
anticipated, they move onto a safer target. The more you can do to keep
your home from looking like an easy target, the safer you are. There are
also many steps that you can take to minimize your loss and improve your
chances of recovery if a break-in does occur. The first step in improving overall security is to take a hard look at the security measures already in use in your home. Look at your house at night as well as in the daytime.

Landscaping and Yard Security
A few alterations to your landscaping can be enough to put off intruders.
To avoid getting caught, intruders look for property they can get into and
out of quickly. Their ideal target is a house surrounded by large hedges
and shrubs, which hamper visibility from the street and neighbors houses.

Bushes, Shrubs and Trees: Trim shrubbery and trees so doors and windows are visible to neighbors, and from the street. Trimmed landscaping should not provide concealment for criminals. If you have a second floor, prune trees so they can't help a thief climb in second floor windows. Place
trellises where they can't be used as ladders to gain entry to the upper
floors.
*Ground plants (shrubbery and bushes) within four (4) feet of any sidewalks, driveways, doors or gates, should be maintained at a height of not more than two (2) feet.

* Ground plants between four (4) and eight (8) feet of any sidewalks,
driveways, doors, or gates, should be maintained at a height of not more
than four (4) feet.

* Ground plants under windows should be maintained at a height that is
below the window sill.

* Trees should be trimmed so that the lower branches are more than six (6) feet off the ground. Place large gauge gravel on the ground near windows. The noise caused by intruders walking on it can become a psychological deterrent. DO NOT place river rocks or other items near glass windows or doors. You do not want to provide the burglar with his tools!
Plant spiny (thorny) plants along fences and under windows. Such plants
will discourage even the most nimble intruder. Protecting with spiny
plants is as effective as the use of barbed wire, and a lot more attractive.