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When parking your vehicle:
- Lock your doors...even at home. It doesn't matter where you are or how
long you will be there.
- Never leave valuables in your vehicle. This includes cell phones, MP3
players, purses, radios, GPS units, and garage door openers. If you have
valuables in your vehicle, then put them in the trunk. Keep them away from
windows and out of view.
- Avoid parking next to trucks, SUVs, vehicles with tinted windows, or
anything that can serve as a shield for thieves. The more open space and
light you have, the better.
When parking your vehicle:
- Lock your doors...even at home..even in your own garage...even
if you're only going to be gone for a few minutes. It doesn't matter where you are or how
long you will be there.
- Never leave valuables in your vehicle. This includes cell phones, MP3
players, purses, radios, GPS units, garage door openers, cameras, chargers
and other accessories, clothes, bags, paperwork, etc.
- Avoid parking next to trucks, SUVs, vehicles with tinted windows, or
anything that can serve as a shield for thieves. The more open space and
light you have, the better.
When shopping:
- Shop during daylight hours and park in a well-lit area.
- Dress comfortably. Expensive clothing or jewelry may draw attention to
other valuables in your car or home.
- Avoid carrying a purse or wallet. If you do, zip/button purses, carry
wallets in a front pocket, and never carry a social security card or other
personal information.
- Secure everything you carry. This is often hard to do if carrying
several bags. Be certain they are always in clear view and protected.
- If making a trip to your vehicle to unload shopping bags, do not just
drop them off and return to shopping. Get in your car and drive around to
another side of the shopping center - make it appear you are leaving the
property. Otherwise, you are showing people that you have left valuables in
your car.
- Be aware of everything around you at all times; do not let your guard
down.
- If going somewhere with children, point out where to go if they need
assistance or get lost.
When shopping online:
- Shop with companies you know; anyone can design an online shop. If you
are not familiar with the merchant, ask for a paper catalog and/or research
the company.
- Pay attention to a company's return and refund policy before making
purchases.
- Keep passwords private-never give your password to anyone and avoid
using a birthday or portion of your social security number.
- Use a secure browser. This is the software used to navigate the
Internet. Browsers should comply with all industry security standards.
These standards encrypt or scramble information you send over the internet.
- Pay by credit card. If you do, your transaction is protected by the
Fair Credit Billing Act. This law gives you the right to dispute charges
under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the
creditor investigates them.
- Keep personal information private unless you know who is collecting it,
why it's being collected, and how it will be used.
When paying for items:
- Avoid carrying a lot of cash.
- Keep your credit card safe. Keep the card face-down or covered, and if
using an ATM card then shield yourself when entering the PIN.
- If a receipt shows your entire credit card number, then mark out all but
the last couple of numbers.
- Do not leave receipts lying around or throw them away in a public trash
can. Take it with you. Shred all unneeded receipts and bills.
- Do not provide personal information or money on the phone, through the
mail, or over the Internet unless you initiated contact or are certain who
you are communicating with. If someone is impatient, rude, or disappointed
if you don't give them money, there's probably a good reason for that. If
in doubt, then trust your gut. A legitimate company will understand.
- Never put mail in an unlocked mailbox.
When working:
- Keep your purse, wallet, keys, and other valuables with you or locked in a safe place
at all times.
- Check the identity of any strangers who are in your office.
If anyone makes you uncomfortable, inform security or management
immediately.
- Don't stay late if you'll be alone in the office. Create a
buddy system for walking to parking lots or public transportation
after hours, or ask a security guard to escort you.
- Report broken or flickering lights, dimly lit corridors, broken
windows, and doors that don't lock properly.
- Report any signs of potential violence in a fellow employee to
the appropriate person. Immediately report any incidents of
sexual harassment.
When leaving home:
- Leave a light, radio, and/or television on in your house, or set them to
a timer - make it appear someone is home.
- Inform trusted neighbors when you will be out of town. Find out whether
your neighborhood or apartment complex has a Neighborhood Watch program and
find out more information on how it may assist you when you are out of town.
- Ask neighbors to watch your home, shovel sidewalks, pick up newspapers,
collect mail, and park in the driveway from time to time - not doing these
things are signs someone has left town.
- During holidays, don't leave them near windows or in high-visibility
sites. A Christmas tree by the front window looks great to neighbors...and
thieves, especially if your new, expensive gifts are underneath it.
- Lock all doors and windows, even if they aren't on the first floor.
- Hide and secure personal information.
- Don't leave mail in your mailbox for an extended period. If leaving
town, contact your post office and have your mail held until you return.
- If flying, do not include your address on luggage tags. This
information informs people where you live and that you will not be there.
Always!!
- Report crimes or suspicious activity immediately by calling 911 from the
location of the occurrence. Do not drive home first as you may be leaving
the jurisdiction of the local police department that needs to respond.
- Have as many details as possible.
- Keep a record of credit card and bank account numbers and contact
information for each.
- Keep a record of all transactions.
- Keep serial numbers of any electronic devices.
- If you believe your credit card or bank information has been taken, call
the company and cancel your cards immediately.
- Regularly check your credit reports (free once a year!) from Equifax at
800-525-6285, Experian at 888-397-3742, and TransUnion at 800-680-7289.
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