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Safety Tips: Protect Your Home
| Posted on: www.cb14brooklyn.com |
The first months of summer have seen an increasing number of home break-ins in Community District 14. Some of these burglaries have occurred in the middle of the day while the homeowners were away from home only briefly. To protect yourself and your home, make sure that you follow common sense safety rules such as locking your doors and windows every time you go out.
Not sure if your home is secure? The NYPD provides safety checks for both homes and businesses. Officers will visit and give advice on how best to secure your residence. To schedule an appointment, contact the 70th Precinct at (718) 851-5511.
Click below for new information about a bill-paying scam alert from National Grid, along with tips to protect your home, identity, cell phone security and more.
If you are going away this summer, protect your home by following these helpful Safety Tips from the NYPD:
DOORS: Check your doors and door frame. Should they be repaired or replaced? All exterior doors should be either metal or solid core wood (1 3/4″ thick). Glass or thin wood panels, in or near the door, can be protected by installing polycarbonate glazing and secured with one way screws.
AIR CONDITIONERS: Should be secured to the window opening to prevent being pulled out or pushed in.
WINDOW GATE: On the first floor or on any emergency exit window (fire escape), a gate should be one that has been approved by the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals. (This gate is commonly known as the ”ferry” or “safety” gate and is operated by a latch and not a padlock or combination lock).
GARAGE: Secure an attached garage as you would your dwelling as it is an access point into your house. Other structures such as an unattached garage, tool shed and storage areas should be locked with high quality security devices that are properly installed.
LIGHTING: Illuminate the perimeter of your house, especially the door areas with enough light to see a silhouette. Lights that are too bright will hamper viewing. Install the light fixture out of reach, and in a tamper and weather resistant housing.
SHRUBBERY: Should be cut or designed so that it does not obstruct viewing from inside or outside. Keep a clear view to provide maximum visibility and little concealment.
IDENTITY THEFT: Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America today. Identity theft requires only a few pieces of valid personal information. With them, thieves can apply for and receive credit cards or debit cards in your name. Your credit can be quickly damaged and your efforts to correct these problems can become a nightmare.The acquisition of key pieces of identity, such as name, address, date of birth, social security number and mother’s maiden name, enable the impersonation to occur. This information allows the identity thief to commit numerous forms of fraud which include, taking over the victim’s financial accounts, opening new bank accounts, purchasing automobiles, applying for credit cards, loans, social security benefits, renting apartments, and establishing accounts with utility and telephone service providers. The identity thief has many ways to gain access to your information. It can be obtained from uncollected mail sitting in your mailbox, personal information carelessly thrown in the garbage, dishonest retail or restaurant employees or by the theft of your wallet or pocketbook.
What to do if you become a victim of identity theft:
- Contact all creditors, by telephone and in writing, to inform them of the situation.
- Notify the Police.
- Alert all banks to flag your accounts and to contact you for unusual activity. Change all passwords and PIN numbers.
- Document all contacts and keep copies of all correspondences.
- Contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
- Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to have a new license number issued in your name.
- Call the nearest U.S. Postal Inspection Office.
- Call the Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338 and file a complaint.
- If you are the victim of identity theft, call each credit bureau with a national database and ask to have a “Fraud Alert/Victim Impact” statement placed in your credit files. Also request that all creditors contact you before they open any new accounts in your name. The following contact information is provided to assist identity theft victims:
1. Equifax www.equifax.com 1-800-685-1111
2. Experian www.experian.com 1-888-397-3742
3. Trans-Union www.tuc.com 1-800-916-8800
- If you are a victim of check fraud, you should contact the following:
1. Telecheck 1-800-710-9898
2. Equifax 1-800-437-5120
Also; Are you careful with your mobile phone?
Electronic devices are attractive targets for thieves due to their high resale value. Electronics such as iPhones, iPods, Android devices and Mobile Phones as well as Nooks and Kindles are the most common types of stolen property in New York City – even more than currency! Mobile Phones alone account for 81% of all electronic device thefts.
So what can I do? Remain alert and aware of your surroundings when using your device, don’t leave your device unattended and always use the security features of your phone (pin lock, find my iPhone etc..) For more information on preventing theft, or for other crime prevention and personal safety tips visit our website: www.nypdcommunityaffairs.org
National Grid warns customers about bill-paying scam:
Electric and natural gas utility National Grid is warning its customers not to fall for a bill-paying scam that asks them to disclose Social Securityand bank routing numbers. The utility says scammers claim customers can have their utility bills paid under a federal government program. No such program exists.
The solicitations have been made door-to-door, online and through phone calls. The company says customers are asked for Social Security and bank routing numbers, then given fake account numbers said to be for payment on their behalf. Customers are urged to alert police if they’re approached about the scam.
Enjoy your Summer.☺ We look forward to a safe and eventful summer.
70th Precinct Community Affairs Unit
(718) 851-5557