Theft v. Robbery

In everyday language, theft and robbery are used interchangeably. People do not pause to think about the differences between them. Sometimes, misusing the words can cost them insurance money, or it may lead to an unsuitable punishment. Legally, theft and robbery are very different and call for different punishments.

Theft

“Theft” refers to any action which involves taking any kind of property from someone without their knowledge with the intentions of depriving that person of the property permanently. Legally, “theft” and “larceny” are synonymous. It depends on and differs in each jurisdiction and from one state to another. One should know that larceny and theft might not be covered by many insurance policies.

Theft includes embezzlement and fraud. “Embezzlement” refers to an employee diverting money from the company or the money of some other employee for his personal use. “Fraud” refers to the use of tricks to take away someone’s property permanently. “Theft” also includes property damage, crimes against property, arson, mugging, looting, shoplifting, etc. “Larceny” is specifically taking any object belonging to a person and depriving him of it permanently.

Theft is usually prosecuted by the State. Sometimes when the interstate economy is affected, the federal government might take up the case. Theft is considered a misdemeanor or felony depending upon the monetary value of the object or property taken.

Robbery

“Robbery” refers to taking anything valuable from another person by using threats, force, and intimidation. It may be any form of violence. The main thing about robbery is the presence of a victim. A “holdup” and a “stickup” are the most common kinds of robbery.

Robbery is a felony, but it has different degrees or classes. Again, the degree is decided according to the laws of each state which are different. It depends upon the facts whether an accomplice was present or not, whether a weapon of some kind was used, the amount of violence used, etc.

“Aggravated robbery” refers to the presence of a deadly weapon or making the victim believe that a deadly weapon is present. Class E felonies refer to physical assaults or threats to use an assault without the presence of a weapon. They are punishable for up to 15 years in prison. Class C felonies refer to the use of weapons and are punishable up to 40 years in prison. In all the felony charges, years of punishment are added if the suspect has prior convictions.

Summary:

1)    “Theft” refers to any action which involves taking any kind of property from someone without their knowledge with the intention of depriving that person of the property permanently while “robbery” refers to taking anything valuable from another person by using threats, force, and intimidation.

2)    Theft does not involve the presence of a victim while robbery involves the presence of a victim at the time of the robbery.

3)    Theft does not involve the use of deadly weapons while Class C felonies and aggravated robbery involve the presence of a deadly weapon.

Today's Common Fraud Schemes

The following are some of the most common scams that are being used today and tips to help prevent you from being victimized.

Telemarketing Fraud:

When you send money to people you do not know personally or give personal or financial information to unknown callers, you increase your chances of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud.

Here are some warning signs of telemarketing fraud—what a caller may tell you:

• You must act 'now' or the offer won't be good.
• You've won a 'free' gift, vacation, or prize. But you have to pay for postage and handling or other charges.
• "You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier. You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.
• You don't need to check out the company with anyone. The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
• You don't need any written information about their company or their references.
• You can't afford to miss this 'high-profit, no-risk' offer.

If you hear these or similar "lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you" and hang up the telephone.

Tips for Avoiding Telemarketing Fraud:

It's very difficult to get your money back if you've been cheated over the telephone. Before you buy anything by telephone, remember:

• Don't buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply.
• Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. But, unfortunately, beware—not everything written down is true.
• Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups. Unfortunately, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.
• Obtain a salesperson's name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give out false names, telephone numbers, addresses, and business license numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items.
• Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment.
• Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. "What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?"
• Don’t pay in advance for services. Pay services only after they are delivered.
• Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.
• Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won't pressure you to make a snap decision.
• Don't pay for a "free prize." If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.
• Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are—the kinds of financial information you will and won't give out on the telephone.
• Be sure to talk over big investments offered by telephone salespeople with a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor. It's never rude to wait and think about an offer.
• Never respond to an offer you don't understand thoroughly.
• Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.
• Be aware that your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties.
• If you have been victimized once, be wary of persons who call offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance.
• If you have information about a fraud, report it to state, local, or federal law enforcement agencies.

Nigerian Letter or “419” Fraud

Nigerian letter frauds combine the threat of impersonation fraud with a variation of an advance fee scheme in which a letter mailed from Nigeria offers the recipient the "opportunity" to share in a percentage of millions of dollars that the author—a self-proclaimed government official—is trying to transfer illegally out of Nigeria. The recipient is encouraged to send information to the author, such as blank letterhead stationery, bank name and account numbers, and other identifying information using a fax number provided in the letter. Some of these letters have also been received via e-mail through the Internet. The scheme relies on convincing a willing victim, who has demonstrated a "propensity for larceny" by responding to the invitation, to send money to the author of the letter in Nigeria in several installments of increasing amounts for a variety of reasons.

Payment of taxes, bribes to government officials, and legal fees are often described in great detail with the promise that all expenses will be reimbursed as soon as the funds are spirited out of Nigeria. In actuality, the millions of dollars do not exist, and the victim eventually ends up with nothing but loss. Once the victim stops sending money, the perpetrators have been known to use the personal information and checks that they received to impersonate the victim, draining bank accounts and credit card balances. While such an invitation impresses most law-abiding citizens as a laughable hoax, millions of dollars in losses are caused by these schemes annually. Some victims have been lured to Nigeria, where they have been imprisoned against their will along with losing large sums of money. The Nigerian government is not sympathetic to victims of these schemes, since the victim actually conspires to remove funds from Nigeria in a manner that is contrary to Nigerian law. The schemes themselves violate section 419 of the Nigerian criminal code, hence the label “419 fraud.”

Tips for Avoiding Nigerian Letter or "419" Fraud:

• If you receive a letter from Nigeria asking you to send personal or banking information, do not reply in any manner. Send the letter to the U.S. Secret Service, your local FBI office, or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. You can also register a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission’s Complaint Assistant.
• If you know someone who is corresponding in one of these schemes, encourage that person to contact the FBI or the U.S. Secret Service as soon as possible.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian or foreign government officials asking for your help in placing large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.
• Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.
• Guard your account information carefully.
  
  

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone assumes your identity to perform a fraud or other criminal act. Criminals can get the information they need to assume your identity from a variety of sources, including by stealing your wallet, rifling through your trash, or by compromising your credit or bank information. They may approach you in person, by telephone, or on the Internet and ask you for the information.

The sources of information about you are so numerous that you cannot prevent the theft of your identity. But you can minimize your risk of loss by following a few simple hints.

Tips for Avoiding Identity Theft:

• Never throw away ATM receipts, credit statements, credit cards, or bank statements in a usable form.
• Never give your credit card number over the telephone unless you make the call.
• Reconcile your bank account monthly, and notify your bank of discrepancies immediately.
• Keep a list of telephone numbers to call to report the loss or theft of your wallet, credit cards, etc.
• Report unauthorized financial transactions to your bank, credit card company, and the police as soon as you detect them.
• Review a copy of your credit report at least once each year. Notify the credit bureau in writing of any questionable entries and follow through until they are explained or removed.
• If your identity has been assumed, ask the credit bureau to print a statement to that effect in your credit report.
• If you know of anyone who receives mail from credit card companies or banks in the names of others, report it to local or federal law enforcement authorities.

Advance Fee Schemes

An advance fee scheme occurs when the victim pays money to someone in anticipation of receiving something of greater value—such as a loan, contract, investment, or gift—and then receives little or nothing in return.

The variety of advance fee schemes is limited only by the imagination of the con artists who offer them. They may involve the sale of products or services, the offering of investments, lottery winnings, "found money," or many other "opportunities." Clever con artists will offer to find financing arrangements for their clients who pay a "finder's fee" in advance. They require their clients to sign contracts in which they agree to pay the fee when they are introduced to the financing source. Victims often learn that they are ineligible for financing only after they have paid the "finder" according to the contract. Such agreements may be legal unless it can be shown that the "finder" never had the intention or the ability to provide financing for the victims.

Tips for Avoiding Advanced Fee Schemes:

If the offer of an "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is. Follow common business practice. For example, legitimate business is rarely conducted in cash on a street corner.

• Know who you are dealing with. If you have not heard of a person or company that you intend to do business with, learn more about them. Depending on the amount of money that you plan on spending, you may want to visit the business location, check with the Better Business Bureau, or consult with your bank, an attorney, or the police.
• Make sure you fully understand any business agreement that you enter into. If the terms are complex, have them reviewed by a competent attorney.
• Be wary of businesses that operate out of post office boxes or mail drops and do not have a street address. Also be suspicious when dealing with persons who do not have a direct telephone line and who are never in when you call, but always return your call later.
• Be wary of business deals that require you to sign nondisclosure or non-circumvention agreements that are designed to prevent you from independently verifying the bona fides of the people with whom you intend to do business. Con artists often use non-circumvention agreements to threaten their victims with civil suit if they report their losses to law enforcement.

Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud

Medical Equipment Fraud:

Equipment manufacturers offer "free" products to individuals. Insurers are then charged for products that were not needed and/or may not have been delivered.

"Rolling Lab" Schemes:

Unnecessary and sometimes fake tests are given to individuals at health clubs, retirement homes, or shopping malls and billed to insurance companies or Medicare.

Services Not Performed:

Customers or providers bill insurers for services never rendered by changing bills or submitting fake ones.

Medicare Fraud:

Medicare fraud can take the form of any of the health insurance frauds described above. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. Because a physician has to sign a form certifying that equipment or testing is needed before Medicare pays for it, con artists fake signatures or bribe corrupt doctors to sign the forms. Once a signature is in place, the manufacturers bill Medicare for merchandise or service that was not needed or was not ordered.

Tips for Avoiding Health Care Fraud or Health Insurance Fraud:

• Never sign blank insurance claim forms.
• Never give blanket authorization to a medical provider to bill for services rendered.
• Ask your medical providers what they will charge and what you will be expected to pay out-of-pocket.
• Carefully review your insurer's explanation of the benefits statement. Call your insurer and provider if you have questions.
• Do not do business with door-to-door or telephone salespeople who tell you that services of medical equipment are free.
• Give your insurance/Medicare identification only to those who have provided you with medical services.
• Keep accurate records of all health care appointments.
• Know if your physician ordered equipment for you.

Redemption / Strawman / Bond Fraud

Proponents of this scheme claim that the U.S. government or the Treasury Department control bank accounts—often referred to as “U.S. Treasury Direct Accounts”—for all U.S. citizens that can be accessed by submitting paperwork with state and federal authorities. Individuals promoting this scam frequently cite various discredited legal theories and may refer to the scheme as “Redemption,” “Strawman,” or “Acceptance for Value.” Trainers and websites will often charge large fees for “kits” that teach individuals how to perpetrate this scheme. They will often imply that others have had great success in discharging debt and purchasing merchandise such as cars and homes. Failures to implement the scheme successfully are attributed to individuals not following instructions in a specific order or not filing paperwork at correct times.

This scheme predominately uses fraudulent financial documents that appear to be legitimate. These documents are frequently referred to as “bills of exchange,” “promissory bonds,” “indemnity bonds,” “offset bonds,” “sight drafts,” or “comptrollers warrants.” In addition, other official documents are used outside of their intended purpose, like IRS forms 1099, 1099-OID, and 8300. This scheme frequently intermingles legal and pseudo legal terminology in order to appear lawful. Notaries may be used in an attempt to make the fraud appear legitimate. Often, victims of the scheme are instructed to address their paperwork to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

Tips for Avoiding Redemption/Strawman/Bond Fraud:

• Be wary of individuals or groups selling kits that they claim will inform you on to access secret bank accounts.
• Be wary of individuals or groups proclaiming that paying federal and/or state income tax is not necessary.
• Do not believe that the U.S. Treasury controls bank accounts for all citizens.
• Be skeptical of individuals advocating that speeding tickets, summons, bills, tax notifications, or similar documents can be resolved by writing “acceptance for value” on them.
• If you know of anyone advocating the use of property liens to coerce acceptance of this scheme, contact your local FBI office.

Investment-Related Scams

Letter of Credit Fraud

Legitimate letters of credit are never sold or offered as investments. They are issued by banks to ensure payment for goods shipped in connection with international trade. Payment on a letter of credit generally requires that the paying bank receive documentation certifying that the goods ordered have been shipped and are en route to their intended destination. Letters of credit frauds are often attempted against banks by providing false documentation to show that goods were shipped when, in fact, no goods or inferior goods were shipped.

Other letter of credit frauds occur when con artists offer a "letter of credit" or "bank guarantee" as an investment wherein the investor is promised huge interest rates on the order of 100 to 300 percent annually. Such investment "opportunities" simply do not exist. (See Prime Bank Notes for additional information.)

Tips for Avoiding Letter of Credit Fraud:

• If an "opportunity" appears too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do not invest in anything unless you understand the deal. Con artists rely on complex transactions and faulty logic to "explain" fraudulent investment schemes.
• Do not invest or attempt to "purchase" a "letter of credit." Such investments simply do not exist.
• Be wary of any investment that offers the promise of extremely high yields.
• Independently verify the terms of any investment that you intend to make, including the parties involved and the nature of the investment.
  
  

Prime Bank Note Fraud

International fraud artists have invented an investment scheme that supposedly offers extremely high yields in a relatively short period of time. In this scheme, they claim to have access to "bank guarantees" that they can buy at a discount and sell at a premium. By reselling the "bank guarantees" several times, they claim to be able to produce exceptional returns on investment. For example, if $10 million worth of "bank guarantees" can be sold at a two percent profit on 10 separate occasions—or "traunches"—the seller would receive a 20 percent profit. Such a scheme is often referred to as a "roll program."

To make their schemes more enticing, con artists often refer to the "guarantees" as being issued by the world's "prime banks," hence the term "prime bank guarantees." Other official sounding terms are also used, such as "prime bank notes" and "prime bank debentures." Legal documents associated with such schemes often require the victim to enter into non-disclosure and non-circumvention agreements, offer returns on investment in "a year and a day", and claim to use forms required by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). In fact, the ICC has issued a warning to all potential investors that no such investments exist.

The purpose of these frauds is generally to encourage the victim to send money to a foreign bank, where it is eventually transferred to an off-shore account in the control of the con artist. From there, the victim's money is used for the perpetrator's personal expenses or is laundered in an effort to make it disappear.

While foreign banks use instruments called "bank guarantees" in the same manner that U.S. banks use letters of credit to insure payment for goods in international trade, such bank guarantees are never traded or sold on any kind of market.

Tips for Avoiding Prime Bank Note Fraud:

• Think before you invest in anything. Be wary of an investment in any scheme, referred to as a "roll program," that offers unusually high yields by buying and selling anything issued by "prime banks."
• As with any investment, perform due diligence. Independently verify the identity of the people involved, the veracity of the deal, and the existence of the security in which you plan to invest.
• Be wary of business deals that require non-disclosure or non-circumvention agreements that are designed to prevent you from independently verifying information about the investment.

“Ponzi’ Schemes

“Ponzi” schemes promise high financial returns or dividends not available through traditional investments. Instead of investing the funds of victims, however, the con artist pays "dividends" to initial investors using the funds of subsequent investors. The scheme generally falls apart when the operator flees with all of the proceeds or when a sufficient number of new investors cannot be found to allow the continued payment of "dividends."

This type of fraud is named after its creator—Charles Ponzi of Boston, Massachusetts. In the early 1900s, Ponzi launched a scheme that guaranteed investors a 50 percent return on their investment in postal coupons. Although he was able to pay his initial backers, the scheme dissolved when he was unable to pay later investors.

Tips for Avoiding Ponzi Schemes:

• Be careful of any investment opportunity that makes exaggerated earnings claims.
• Exercise due diligence in selecting investments and the people with whom you invest—in other words, do your homework.
• Consult an unbiased third party—like an unconnected broker or licensed financial advisor—before investing.

Pyramid Schemes

As in Ponzi schemes, the money collected from newer victims of the fraud is paid to earlier victims to provide a veneer of legitimacy. In pyramid schemes, however, the victims themselves are induced to recruit further victims through the payment of recruitment commissions.

More specifically, pyramid schemes—also referred to as franchise fraud or chain referral schemes—are marketing and investment frauds in which an individual is offered a distributorship or franchise to market a particular product. The real profit is earned, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships. Emphasis on selling franchises rather than the product eventually leads to a point where the supply of potential investors is exhausted and the pyramid collapses. At the heart of each pyramid scheme is typically a representation that new participants can recoup their original investments by inducing two or more prospects to make the same investment. Promoters fail to tell prospective participants that this is mathematically impossible for everyone to do, since some participants drop out, while others recoup their original investments and then drop out.

Tips for Avoiding Pyramid Schemes:

• Be wary of "opportunities" to invest your money in franchises or investments that require you to bring in subsequent investors to increase your profit or recoup your initial investment.
• Independently verify the legitimacy of any franchise or investment before you invest.

Market Manipulation or “Pump and Dump” Fraud

This scheme—commonly referred to as a "pump and dump”—creates artificial buying pressure for a targeted security, generally a low-trading volume issuer in the over-the-counter securities market largely controlled by the fraud perpetrators. This artificially increased trading volume has the effect of artificially increasing the price of the targeted security (i.e., the "pump"), which is rapidly sold off into the inflated market for the security by the fraud perpetrators (i.e., the "dump"); resulting in illicit gains to the perpetrators and losses to innocent third party investors. Typically, the increased trading volume is generated by inducing unwitting investors to purchase shares of the targeted security through false or deceptive sales practices and/or public information releases.

A modern variation on this scheme involves largely foreign-based computer criminals gaining unauthorized access to the online brokerage accounts of unsuspecting victims in the United States. These victim accounts are then utilized to engage in coordinated online purchases of the targeted security to affect the pump portion of a manipulation, while the fraud perpetrators sell their preexisting holdings in the targeted security into the inflated market to complete the dump.

Tips for Avoiding Market Manipulation Fraud:

• Don't believe the hype.
• Find out where the stock trades.
• Independently verify claims.
• Research the opportunity.
• Beware of high-pressure pitches.
• Always be skeptical.

The reason for this post is that the above schemes and frauds are reoccurring at an alarming rate, with different variations but the same structure, in 2011 thru 2012, I have seen over 400 variations of the above frauds, right here in the Olympia/Tumwater area. The gist here is this: “Criminals will try anything and everything to take what is yours and call it theirs, to be educated gives you a better chance of not becoming a victim!”

It is far better to be safe with knowledge, rather than be sorry without it. -Birdy

How To avoid being ripped off
(This article is being re-blogged to convey additional information and to correct a small mistake in spelling – Birdy)


Your name and personal information are an asset that belongs to you. Your financial history report can determine if you get a loan, an apartment, a job, or insurance coverage. A good track record is valuable and available to anyone who has "legitimate business needs.” 

Unfortunately criminals also often have easy access to your private details, by opening bank accounts, getting credit cards, loans, state benefits and documents such as passports and driving licenses in your name, they will use your information for their personal gain.There are two forms of Identity Theft: Basic identity theft – when someone steals your ID to obtain new credit accounts. Credit hijacking – when someone uses your existing credit accounts for personal gain.
Here are some tips on How To avoid being ripped off.

• Request your free credit report from TransUnion, Experian or Equifax at least once a year and preferably once every six months. The three big credit reporting firms can give you a history of activity under your credit profile such as telling you when loan or credit card has been applied for and issued.There are services from the reporting agencies that will contact you every time there is a new application for a loan or credit card or a request for information has been made.
• Place an “Initial Fraud Alert”, that lasts 90 days, on all 3 of your credit reports. This can only be done if you feel your ID and personal information has been compromised. This alert means your information can no longer be sold by the credit bureau to any third party.
• Obtain a 7 year fraud alert by writing to each of the credit companies showing the initial fraud alert, confirmation number an some additional information that will be requested. This can slow the process of accessing credit easily but will give you added privacy especially when used in conjunction with other precautionary measures.
• Personally read through your financial report to make sure that all loan and credit card requests are from you and not an unknown entity.
• If you are missing a financial statement or bill that should have arrived in the mail then contact your financial institution to check with them in case it has been stolen.
• Actually go to the bank to check your accounts – don’t rely solely on paper statements.
• Establish a personal security code with banks and credit card institutions. This number could be the name of a childhood pet and your old street address. No one will be granted access to your accounts without having this code so it is truly secure.
• Pick up new checks from the bank or they could be stolen in the mail
• Never have your Social Security Number printed on your checks. Name and address is sufficient information.
• Be sure to promptly notify your credit institutions of any change of address to avoid any possible confusion.
• As merchants always use the Address Verification Service to ensure that the shipping address agrees with the address given for the credit card holder.
• Just hit delete. Assume that every solicitous e-mail is a scam and never send your personal information as a response to an e-mail.
• If you receive an e-mail from your bank, credit card company or government agency and it looks legitimate then close the e-mail and contact the business or organization directly. Us a phone number that you know to be official and not the one provided in the solicitous mail.
• Never give out your private information over the telephone unless you have initiated the call.
• Be especially reluctant to give your personal information when a unknown business or individual asks for your social security number, mother’s maiden name and date of birth.
• It’s important to check your credit report before making major purchases.
• Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet. One third of identity theft comes from stolen purses, checkbooks or credit cards.
• Don’t carry your pin number in your wallet and Be creative when choosing a pin number.
• Immediately cancel your credit cards when you have lost your wallet.
• Clean out your computer hard drive before throwing or giving it away.
• Sign your credit cards when you receive them. This will be used as identity verification when purchases are made with the card.
• As a retailers always ask for some form of ID with credit cards.
• Do not use more than two credit cards, it is easier to monitor them regularly.
• Make sure no one is looking over your shoulder or shoulder surfing while you are using an ATM.
• Look to be sure that there are no additional devices attached to the ATM machine when swiping your card.
• Always send and receive mail through a secure and locked mail box.
• Write “check ID”, with a bold marker pen, on the back of your credit card.
• Try never to use debit or check cards, it is extremely difficult to recover losses made on these types of card.
• Put sensitive documents such as ID, Passport and financial accounts in a waterproof envelope and keep them in a safe and secure place for quick evacuation in case of floods, hurricanes or other natural disasters.
• Keep with your personal documents a list of all your account numbers and contact numbers for each as quick reference if anything is lost or stolen.
• Shred private receipts, junk mail, CD before throwing them in the rubbish.'
• Use reliable software to detect and remove Spy-ware or key logging software that could try access your from the web.
• Always buy from reputable on-line sites – phisings sites can often look like the real thing but only be an front image.
• If you suspect something then question the people who have access to your personal information. Identity theft is most often committed by someone close such as a family member, co-worker, waiter or waitress or within the financial institution.
• Do not respond to text messages using the name of your bank (or other businesses) asking for confirmation of your details. Verify the situation in person at your banking institution.
• Use a separate web browser for your financial transactions and for browsing the web.
• Be sure to request credit reports for your children as they are ideal victims for identity theft.
• Remove the names of deceased family members from mailing lists, their details are a good resource for ID thieves.
• Beware of what you put on MySpace 'surveys.' Never reveal too much about yourself. Facts such as mother's maiden name and last 4 digits of your social security number are not questions to pass time with. If you feel the need to fill out a survey on MySpace and the like, beware of putting anything more personal than what you order from Starbucks. The harder an identity thief has to work for your identity, the less likely you (and family members, for that matter) are to be their victim.
• Hire a reputable Identity Theft Protection Company, such as LoudSiren, LifeLock or TrustedID to work on your behalf if you do not have the patience, know how or time to take the above listed steps.

Remember: There are predators all around you, be extra diligent when dealing with people that you do not know. Being careful with all your dealings will keep you and your family safe. -Birdy

Förhindra stölder från bilar

Här är några Tips för att förhindra stöld från din bil:

Stölder från auto kommer att öka i parker och offentliga parkeringsplatser! Över stjäls $1 miljon dollar i egenskapen varje år från bilar i Saint Paul. Arbeta tillsammans - gemenskapen och polisen - kan vi förhindra detta.

Tjuvar behöver mindre än 20 sekunder att stjäla:

Stulen egendom kreditkort och kryssrutan bedrägeri skadade kredit högre försäkringskostnader här är några tips: lämna aldrig värdesaker som plånbok plånböcker, datorer, mobiltelefoner eller smycken, i vanlig mening.

Lås era dörrar och lyfta windows upp tätt.

Värdesaker i bålen riskerar. Om du måste placera värdesaker i bålen, placerar du dem innan du anländer till resmålet parkering.

Se upp för misstänkta tillförordnad människor förbjudet eller lurar i området i parkerad fordon. Ring 911 och beskriva personens: kön, ras, höjd, vikt, kläder och ålder.

Licensnummer (om tillgängliga) eller läge för transport.

Exakt plats.

Park i ett väl upplyst område om du förväntar dig att återvända till bilen efter mörkret.

Registrera alla dina kreditkortsnummer. Skriv ner serienummer, gör och modeller av din personliga egendom.

Vad du ska göra om det händer att du

Ring 9-1-1 eller polisen omedelbart om egenskapen är stulen från din auto. Om möjligt stanna där dina auto var parkerade. Förbereda en lista över vad fattades. Polisen kommer ytterligare råda er.

Omedelbart avbryta alla kreditkort och bankkonton om ett kreditkort eller kontroller är stulen. Gör inte bara plats stop betalningsorder på kontroller som stals.

Vänligen dela ovanstående tipsen med familj, vänner, arbetskamrater och grannar.

-Birdy: Det är bättre att vara säker än ledsen!

Evitar el robo de automóviles

Aquí hay algunos consejos para prevenir el robo de su coche:

Robos de auto aumentará en parques y zonas de aparcamiento público! Más de 1 millón dólares en propiedad es robados cada año a partir de autos en San Pablo. Trabajando juntos - la comunidad y la policía - le podemos ayudar a evitar esto.

Los ladrones necesitan menos de 20 segundos para robar:

Tarjeta de crédito robados y compruebe fraude dañada línea de crédito mayor costos de seguro aquí son algunos consejos: Nunca deje objetos de valor, como monederos carteras, computadoras, teléfonos celulares y joyería, a simple vista.

Cerrar sus puertas y enrolle las ventanas apretado.

Objetos de valor en el tronco están en riesgo. Si se deben colocar objetos de valor en el tronco, colocar allí antes de llegar a su destino de estacionamiento.

Reloj para personas actuando sospechosas merodeando o al acecho en el área de vehículos estacionados. Llame al 911 y describir a la persona: género, raza, altura, peso, ropa y edad.

Número de licencia (si está disponible) o modo de transporte.

Ubicación exacta.

Parque en un área bien iluminada si piensa volver a su coche después del anochecer.

Mantenga un registro de todos los números de sus tarjeta de crédito. Anote los números de serie, marcas y modelos de su propiedad personal.

Lo que debes hacer si te sucede a ti

Llame a 9-1-1 o a la policía inmediatamente si la propiedad es robado de su auto. Si es posible, permanecer donde estaba estacionado su auto. Preparar una lista de lo que se tomó. La policía le aconsejará más.

Inmediatamente cancelar todas las tarjetas de crédito y cuentas bancarias si se roban una tarjeta de crédito o cheques. No no sólo realizar pedidos de suspensión de pago de cheques que fueron robados.

Por favor comparta los consejos anteriores con familiares, amigos, compañeros de trabajo y vecinos.

-Birdy: Es mejor prevenir que curar!

Помочь предотвратить кражи из автомобилей

Вот некоторые советы для предотвращения кражи из вашего автомобиля:

Краж из авто будет увеличиваться в парках и общественной парковки! Свыше $1 миллион долларов в собственности украден каждый год от автомашины в Сент-Пол. Работать вместе - сообщество и полиции - мы можем помочь предотвратить это.

Воры должны меньше чем 20 секунд, чтобы украсть:

Похищенного имущества кредитной карты и проверить мошенничества поврежденные кредитной линии более высокие расходы на страхование здесь приведено несколько советов: никогда не оставляйте ценные вещи, такие как кошельки кошельки, компьютеры, сотовые телефоны или ювелирных изделий, в равнинной мнению.

Блокировка двери и закатать windows туго.

Риску подвержены ценностей в багажнике. Если вы должны положить ценности в багажнике, разместите их там до прибытия в пункт назначения, парковка.

Часы для подозрительных исполняющим обязанности людей, праздношатание или скрывается в области припаркованных автомобилей. Звоните 911 и описывают человека: пол, раса, высота, вес, Одежда и возраста.

Номер лицензии (если имеется) или видов транспорта.

Точное местоположение.

Парк в хорошо освещенной области, если вы ожидаете вернуться в ваш автомобиль после наступления темноты.

Записывайте номера ваших кредитных карт. Запишите серийные номера, делает и модели вашего личного имущества.

Что вы должны сделать, если это случится с вами

Позвоните 9-1-1 или полиция немедленно, если кражи имущества от вашего авто. Если возможно остаться, где ваш автомобиль был припаркован. Подготовьте список того, что было принято. Полиция также проконсультируют вас.

Немедленно отмените все кредитные карты и банковские счета в случае кражи кредитной карты или проверки. Сделать не только место остановки платежные поручения о проверках, которые были украдены.

Пожалуйста, поделитесь выше советы с семью, друзей, коллег и соседей.

-Птаха: Это лучше перестраховаться, чем потом жалеть!

Aiutare a prevenire il furto di automobili

Ecco alcuni consigli per prevenire furti dalla tua auto:

Furti dalle auto aumenterà in parchi e aree di parcheggio pubblico! Oltre $ 1 milione di dollari di proprietà viene rubate ogni anno da autos in Saint Paul. Lavorando insieme - la Comunità e la polizia - noi possiamo aiutare a prevenire questo.

Ladri hanno bisogno di meno di 20 secondi per rubare:

Carta di credito rubata proprietà e controllo frodi danneggiato linea di credito Assicurazioni costi più elevati qui sono alcuni suggerimenti: non lasciate mai oggetti di valore, quali borse portafogli, computer, telefoni cellulari o gioielli, in bella vista.

Bloccare le porte e rimboccarsi le finestre strette.

Gli oggetti di valore in tronco sono a rischio. Se si deve mettere oggetti di valore nel bagagliaio, metterli lì prima di arrivare a destinazione parcheggio.

Guarda diffidente recitazione vagabondaggio o in agguato nell'area dei veicoli parcheggiati. Chiamare il 911 e descrive la persona: sesso, razza, altezza, peso, abbigliamento ed età.

Numero di licenza (se disponibile) o modalità di trasporto.

Posizione esatta.

Parco in un'area ben illuminata, se ci si aspetta di tornare alla vostra auto dopo il tramonto.

Tenere un registro di tutti i vostri numeri di carta di credito. Annotare i numeri di serie, marche e modelli di vostra proprietà personale.

Che cosa si dovrebbe fare se succede a voi

Chiamare 9-1-1 o la polizia immediatamente se la proprietà è stato rubato dalla vostra auto. Se possibile, di rimanere dove era parcheggiata la vostra auto. Preparare un elenco di ciò che è stato preso. La polizia inoltre vi consiglierà.

Cancellare immediatamente tutte le carte di credito e conti bancari se una carta di credito o assegni vengono rubati. Non solo gli ordini di pagamento stop posto sui controlli che sono stati rubati.

Si prega di condividere i suggerimenti di cui sopra con famiglia, amici, colleghi e vicini di casa.

-Birdy: È meglio essere sicuri che dispiaciuti!

Verhindern Sie Diebstahl von Autos

Hier ist einige Tipps zur Verhinderung von Diebstahl aus Auto:

Diebstähle aus dem Auto steigen in Parks und öffentlichen Parkplätzen! Über $ 1 Million Dollar in Eigenschaft jedes Jahr von Autos in Saint Paul gestohlen. -Gemeinschaft und der Polizei - gemeinsam können wir helfen, dies zu verhindern.

Diebe brauchen weniger als 20 Sekunden zu stehlen:

Diebesgut Kreditkarte und Kontrollkästchen betrug Damaged Kreditlinie höhere Versicherungskosten hier sind einige Tipps: lassen Sie niemals Wertsachen wie Geldbörsen Brieftaschen, Computer, Handys oder Schmuck, in der normalen Ansicht.

Sperren Sie die Türen und Krempeln Sie die Fenster dicht.

Wertsachen im Kofferraum sind gefährdet. Wenn Sie Wertgegenstände im Kofferraum setzen müssen, legen Sie sie dort vor der Ankunft am Zielort Parken.

Achten Sie auf verdächtige handelnden Menschen bummeln oder lauern im Bereich der geparkten Fahrzeuge. Rufen Sie 911 und der Person beschreiben: Geschlecht, Rasse, Höhe, Gewicht, Kleidung und Alter.

Lizenznummer (falls vorhanden) oder des Transportmittels.

Genaue Lage.

Park in einem gut beleuchteten Bereich, wenn Sie erwarten, zu Ihrem Auto nach Einbruch der Dunkelheit zurück.

Speichern Sie alle Ihre Kreditkarte zahlen. Notieren Sie die Seriennummern, Marken und Modelle von Ihr persönliches Eigentum.

Was sollten Sie tun, wenn es Ihnen passiert.

Rufen Sie 9-1-1 oder die Polizei sofort, wenn die Eigenschaft von Ihr Auto gestohlen wird. Wenn möglich, zu bleiben, wo Ihr Auto geparkt war. Bereiten Sie eine Liste von was genommen wurde. Die Polizei wird Sie weiter beraten.

Sofort brechen Sie ab, alle Kreditkarten und Bankkonten wenn Kreditkarte oder Schecks gestohlen werden. Tun Sie nicht nur Platz Stop Zahlungsaufträge auf Prüfungen, die gestohlen wurden.

Bitte teilen Sie die oben genannten Tipps mit Familie, Freunden, Kollegen und Nachbarn.

-Birdy: Es ist besser als Nachsicht!

Empêcher le vol d'Automobiles

Voici quelques conseils pour la prévention du vol de votre voiture :

Vols d'auto augmentera dans les parcs et les aires de stationnement publiques ! Plus de 1 million de dollars dans la propriété est volé chaque année des autos à Saint Paul. Travailler ensemble - la communauté et la police - nous pouvons aider à éviter cela.

Voleurs ont besoin de moins de 20 secondes pour voler :

Carte de crédit des biens volés et cocher fraude endommagées par ligne de crédit plus élevés frais d'assurance ici sont quelques conseils : ne laissez jamais vos objets de valeur, tels que des sacs à main portefeuilles, des ordinateurs, des téléphones cellulaires ou des bijoux, bien en vue.

Verrouillez vos portières et retrousser les fenêtres étanches.

Objets de valeur dans le coffre arrière sont en péril. Si vous devez mettre vos objets de valeur dans le coffre, placez-les là avant d'arriver à votre destination de stationnement.

Surveillez les personnes suspectes par intérim s'attarder ou de maraude dans le secteur des véhicules stationnés. Composez le 911 et décrivez la personne : sexe, race, taille, poids, vêtements et âge.

Numéro de licence (si disponible) ou mode de transport.

Emplacement exact.

Parc dans une zone bien éclairée si vous prévoyez de revenir à votre voiture après l'obscurité.

Conserver une trace de tous vos numéros de carte de crédit. Notez les numéros de série, les marques et les modèles de vos biens personnels.

Ce que vous devez faire si cela vous arrive

Composez le 9-1-1 ou à la Police immédiatement si la propriété est volée dans votre auto. Si possible, restez où votre auto était stationné. Préparer une liste de ce qui a été pris. La police vous conseillera davantage.

Immédiatement annuler toutes les cartes de crédit et comptes bancaires si une carte de crédit ou chèques sont volés. Ne pas seulement lieu arrêt de paiement émis sur les chèques qui ont été volés.

S'il vous plaît partager les conseils précédents avec famille, amis, collègues et voisins.

-Birdy : Il vaut mieux être prévenir que guérir !