Protecting Yourself Against Credit Card Fraud.

When we think of crime, most of us feel that the streets are getting more and more dangerous but our home is still our castle. Regretably this isn't always the case. Identity theft can touch anybody, regardless of the neighbourhood you live in, as the previous post pointed out. So in this post we're going to share with you some ideas for keeping thieves away from your credit card accounts.

First off, how does credit card theft take place? A thief goes through trash to find discarded receipts or carbons, and then uses your account numbers illegally. A dishonest clerk makes an extra imprint from your credit or charge card and uses it to make personal charges. You respond to a mailing asking you to call a long distance number for a free trip or bargain-priced travel package. You're told you must join a travel club first and you're asked for your account number so you can be billed. The catch! Charges you didn't make are added to your bill, and you never get your trip.

Credit and charge card fraud costs cardholders and issuers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. While theft is the most obvious form of fraud, it can occur in other ways. For example, someone may use your card number without your knowledge. It's not always possible to prevent credit card fraud from happening. But there are a few steps you can take to make it more difficult for a crook to capture your card or card numbers and minimize the possibility.

Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit and charge card fraud.

DO:

Sign your cards as soon as they arrive. IF YOU DON'T AND YOUR CARDS ARE STOLEN, YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR ALL CHARGES BECAUSE YOU VOIDED THE CREDIT CARD AGREEMENT BY NOT SIGNING THE BACK OF YOUR CARD!!!!! Tricky how these credit card companies work...

Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place. This way if your cards are stolen you'll know which credit card companies to call and the account numbers to cancel.

Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.

Void incorrect receipts.

Destroy carbons.

Save receipts to compare with billing statements.

Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.

Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.

Notify card companies in advance of a change in address. That way when you move there is no lag time where your bills are sent to your old address, thus offering the new tenants an opportunity to commit fraud at your expense.

DON'T

Lend your card(s) to anyone.

Leave cards or receipts lying around.

Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.

Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope.

Give out your account number over the phone unless you're making the call to a company you know is reputable. If you have questions about a company, check it out with your local consumer protection office or Better Business Bureau.

Reporting Losses and Fraud: If you lose your credit or charge cards or if you realize they've been lost or stolen, immediately call the issuer(s).
Many companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with such emergencies. By law, once you report the loss or theft, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. In any event, your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card.

Beware Fraudsters Stealing Homes

They steal our cars and break into our homes but apparently this is not enough for thieves. Now they actually steal homes too! Unbelievedly, their is a relatively new con that has fraudsters stealing your identity and stealing the title to your home. From there they sell it, either to an accomplice or an unsuspecting buyer and cash out. You are left trying to convince the bank that the home is your and spending tens of thousands of dollars proving it.

The solution to this growing crime is to buy title insurance. The $300-400 policy is getting to be as necessary as fire and theft insurance.

Here are two articles detailing a a few victims' experience in dealing with their worst nightmare, including how the crime works and how to protect yourself.
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=c6ad976f-6660-4ac6-a5aa-dfd72a26fa3d

http://www.thestar.com/Article/144240

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/144239

Vehicle Theft Protection

Some car tips we've complied to keep you and your auto just a little bit safer...

• When buying a used car from an individual or a dealer, make sure you have the proper titles, and that the VIN number is still intact. The federal sticker on the inside of the driver's door should match the VIN.

• Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you're away from it. This seems obvious, but many people pull up to their driveways and unload groceries or help their elderly/infirm passengers into or out of their car, while leaving the engine on for 'convenience'. This creates a crime of opportunity for thieves.
  
• Always roll up the windows and lock the car. Don't be tempted to leave the windows open 'just a crack' for ventilation. That's all it takes for a thief to pry open the doors using a coat hanger.

• Park in busy, well lit areas. With new developments being built in the neighbourhood, we are quickly running out of safe (read: well lit) street parking. Consider renting an extra space in your underground parkade. The extra $30 or so per month could be well worth the safety and peace of mind, knowing that your car is harder for the thieves to get to.

• Carry the registration and insurance card with you. That way, if someone breaks into your car, they won't find out where you live. If it isn't practical for you to carry your insurance documents with you, consider putting your business address or a PO Box number on your insurance documentation.

• Look into CAT (Combat Auto Theft) partnership programs where individuals voluntarily register their cars with the police, and allow the police to stop the car during certain hours when they normally would not be driving. Contact ICBC or your autoplan agent for details on registering and to get a CAT sticker.

• Etch the VIN number on windows, doors, fenders and trunk lid. This helps discourage professional thieves who would have to either remove or replace etched parts before selling the car.

• Be especially alert at intersections, gas stations, ATMs, shopping malls, convenience and grocery stores - all are windows of opportunity for carjackers since you are, in essence, a captive audience. This isn't East LA but we do have a growing number of "squeegee people" that can get aggressive when you don't give them money at intersections. Just something to keep in mind...

• Beware of the "bump-and-rob," which is when a driver bumps you in traffic, and has a passenger steal your car when you get out to check the damage.

• Before getting in your car, make sure to look inside the car. Fortunately Edmonds hasn't been hit with the homeless problems that the Downtown Eastside faces, but many homeless people do break into cars or check for unlocked doors and sleep inside in order to shelter themselves from the elements. Obviously there are drug and/or mental health issues at play here, but don't get caught offguard. Checking the interior of your car is a good habit to get into if you travel throughtout the lower mainland.

Enjoying our Pathways and Trails Safely

Spring is in the air, and with an extra hour of daylight, may of us will once again come to enjoy our pathways and trails. Unfortunately, some parts of the trails are isolated, so here are a few tips to help you maintain your security while jogging or walking your dog.

• Have someone accompany you if at all possible. Walking a dog, especially one inclined to bark at strangers, is preferable to being alone.
• Let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return.
• Know where you can run for help.
• Avoid walking too closely to bushes or areas with any kind of tall overgrowth.
• Avoid the temptation to daydream or otherwise become distracted. Know what's going on around you.
• Be alert to any sudden approach by a stranger.
• Try to avoid being out late at night. If you are out after dark, always carry a flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Whenever walking on a road or street, always walk facing traffic. You should do this even when there are sidewalks, since it makes it more difficult for someone to drive up behind you without being noticed.
• Do not wear a headset when alone. If you insist, at the very least, only cover one ear.

Home Security Tips

Many of the following home security tips are especially pertinent for those of you who live in houses/townhouses. Condo dwellers can still go a long way to ensuring their safety and that of their neighbours.

Doors, Windows, Locks and Keys

• All doors that lead to the outside should be metal or solid-core, 1-3/4 inch hardwood. Most hollow doors can be easily broken through.
  Each door should fit in its frame with no more than 1/8 inch clearance between the door and frame. A metal lining on the inside of an exterior door can prevent drilling, sawing, or kicking through.
  

• Make sure all doors to the outside have good locks -- dead bolt locks with a minimum 1-1/2 inch bolt. Make sure locks are also installed on screen and storm doors, garage doors, cellar doors, patio doors, and any other door that leads to the outside (including second-floor patios or decks). Always use the locks you have, on both your home and your garage. Lock up every time you go out, even if it`s only for a few minutes. Almost 50 percent of burglars enter homes through unlocked doors or windows.
  

• Locks on doors should be placed at least 40 inches away from windows, glass panels, and other potential openings such as mail slots. Make it hard for a burglar to reach in and unlock your door. Or install double cylinder, dead bolt locks that need to be opened with a key from the inside as well as the outside.
  

• Door hinges should always be on the inside and designed so that hinge pin cannot be removed from the outside.
  

• Never hide keys outside, such as under a bush, floor mat, or in a flower pot. Burglars know where to find "secret" hiding places. It`s much better to leave a key with a trusted neighbor.
  

• Don`t place identification tags on your keys or key rings; if you lose them, you give potential burglars help.
  

• Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available bars or locks, or put a stick/pole or broom handle in the door track. Burglars look for sliding glass doors because they are the easiest to open.
  

• Secure roof openings and exhaust systems.
  

• Make sure windows, especially those at ground level, have good locks-and always use the locks you have.
  

• The center thumb-turn locks on many standard windows can be easily pried open or reached through a broken pane. For especially vulnerable windows, install key locks or consider installing grates or grilles (but make sure the devices can be easily detached to allow quick escape during a fire or other emergency). Glass block windows offer excellent security for basement windows.

Shrubbery and Lighting

• Make sure all porches and other possible entrances are well lit, with at least 40-watt bulbs. A well-lit house is far better protected than a house without lights.
  

• Overgrown bushes, tree limbs, or landscaping can provide cover for burglars. Trim them to the height of porches or windows.

Other Suggestions

• Always lock up ladders and tools. Don`t give a burglar the resources to break into your home.
  
• Window air conditioning units should be bolted to the wall to prevent them from being easily removed from the outside.
  
• If you have recently purchased a television, stereo equipment, or other household item, do not throw the empty boxes out by your garbage can. This is a sure sign and strong temptation for burglars.
  
• Turn the ringer on the telephone down low. If a burglar is around, he won`t be alerted to your absence by a ringing phone.
  
• If you are out during the day or on vacation, use an automatic timer to turn on lights and a radio at different times of the day. It is an easy way to disguise the fact they you aren't home.
  
• Have a trusted neighbour pick up your mail and newspapers every day while you are on vacation

Bike Safety Tips

For all you commuters who 'bike-and-ride' with transit, here are some bike safety tips to keep in mind when you lock up your bike at the skytrain station.

1) Don't. Period. The Edmonds skytrain station is NOT a safe place to lock up your bike! You would think otherwise, with all the bus drivers, transit personnel and the (occasional) transit police, but just about every bike that is locked up at the skytrain station is vandalized to some degree. Graffitti on the seat, stolen tires...We are now allowed to take bikes on the first and last carraige of the skytrain, so consider taking your bike with you rather than leaving it behind. Also consider renting a skytrain bike locker to safely store your bike if you choose to leave it behind. Contact Translink for more details.

2) Engrave your bike with your name or ID # on an inconspicuous place, preferably the bottom of the bike. This makes it easier to claim should it be stolen and recovered. By engraving it in a hidden place, thieves have less of a chance of seeing the engraving and thus less of a chance of filing the numbers off. Register your bike with the RCMP or through the National Bike Registry.

3) Lock your bike to a solid object (i.e.- no trees, wooden objects or chain link fences). Street signs and bike racks are ideal. Ensure the bike can't be lifted over the object, like a parking meter. Make sure the area will be well-light at night. Locking it up in the day time allows for plenty of ambient light, but if you return at nightfall, it should also be well illuminated.

4) Use a U-shaped lock and cable. The Kryponite brand is one of the best. The made-in-China copies are the worst, as they are easy to smash apart with a hammer or pry open. Also, Kryptonite and other high end bike locks allow you to register your bike with them. Plus, they offer anti-theft guarantees.

5) Leave as little space as possible within the "U" of the lock to make it harder for thieves to pry it open.

6) Keep the lock off the ground to avoid giving the thief leverage to hammer or smash it.

7) Position the keyhole of the lock so that it faces the ground. This will inhibit the thief's ability to manipulate the lock.

8) Remove the front wheel and lock both the wheel and the frame together with the U-lock if it's a quick-release wheel. Take your bike seat with you if it's easily removable and/or expensive.

9) Consider buying an old, cheap bike for commuting to/from work and/or the store. Save your fancy bike for trail riding or the Whistler bike park ;-)

The Good Samaritan Scam

Brilliant in its execution, this scam highlights once again that not all crime is violent. Keeps your eyes and ears in tune to crime and you won't find yourselves as its next victim. It's human nature to help others, but don't let people help themselves to your valuables. Watch and learn.

Streetcrime: PickPockets Amongst Us

Here's another 2 minute video capturing a sly pickpocketing scam that occurs on the streets. It's not unique to the Edmonds area, but with the influx of tourists in the summer, anyone who takes the skytrain or who simply enjoys a coffee on an outdoor patio may fall prey to this. Watch closely-it's pretty swift and takes less than 30 seconds to pull off.

Skytrain PickPockets

Here's a clever video from pickpockets at work in the London transit system. It gives you a real heads up as to how pickpockets work and hopefully will allow you to keep your senses on guard when you travel by skytrain. Don't say we didn't warn you :-)

Cat Burglars: The Long Stick Trick

Not all home invasions are of the smash-and-grab variety. Many "professional" cat burglars ply their trade to this day-and in our neighbourhood. Here's an amazing 5 minute video that highlights just how easy it is to get robbed 'silently' and how to protect yourself from this type of crime.

Grow Ops

Unfortunately, grow ops are a menace of particular concern to Greater Vancouver, and Burnaby sees its fair share too. The amazing thing is that many people have this misconcenption that grow ops are housed in homes far away from their neighbours, and run by druglords themselves.

On the contrary, grow ops have been found in the most respectable neighbourhoods in the city. Even upscale areas like Westwood Plateau have had grow ops amidst their affluence. And many of the residents living in grow ops are seemingly normal people. Familes with youngsters, married couples, etc. Sometimes these people are innocent victims of the grow op problem, renting a floor in a home that houses a grow op in the basement suite. Other times they receive reduced rent for living in a grow op, whereby they live on one floor and the grow op occurs on another floor. Their role is to simply provide a lived in, family look to the home.

Since we want to keep Edmonds as safe and trouble free as possible, especially as it develops and expands, here is a colourful look at what goes on inside a grow op, and the hazards grow ops pose to our neighbourhood.
http://www.collingwoodcpc.com/growbusters-gallery2004.htm

Hopefully these pictures drive home the importance of keeping ourselves aware of the crime out there so that we can recognize it and report it. Only then will it go away.

Crystal Meth

Recently, a fairly large drug lab was shut down on 7900 block of Nelson Street by the RCMP. It was discovered by city workers who became suspicious when they saw steam coming out of the manholes.

The Collingwood Community Policing Centre in Vancouver has developed a Methamphetamine Lab Awareness Program. The following article comes courtesy of their fine research:

"There is a new drug menace in your community. It is called methamphetamine, and it is an illegal and very addictive drug. It is made in illegal laboratories hurriedly set up in bathrooms, basements, garages, as well as many other places in a home. By mixing common household products sold in stores throughout your city, the bad guys make methamphetamine. Mixed together, household products can become explosive and/or give off toxic fumes that attack mucous membranes, skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. Innocent people including children have died when methamphetamine labs have blown up in the past. The following is a list of ingredients commonly found in methamphetamines".
Dangerous Chemicals
Lithium
Red Phosphorus
Salt
Methanol
Sulfuric Acid
Ephedrine/Pseudoephedrine
Alcohol
Veterinarian Products

Common Products
Alkaline Batteries
Matches
Rock Salt
Car Fuel System Cleaners
Drain and Grease Cleaners
Sudafed
Paint Thinners
Allergy Products

You Can Make A Difference.

"Drug dealers and methamphetamine manufactures have common habits that are easily observed. Alone, any of these activities or signs may not mean that drug dealing or methamphetamine manufacturing is occurring. However, some or several of them happening together may indicate a problem. The following is a list of common occurrences of tell-tale signs to look for:

Frequent visitors at all times of the day or night.

Frequent, late night activity.

Windows blackened out or curtains always drawn.

Visitors with expensive vehicles.

Unfriendly, appear secretive about their activities.

Watches cars suspiciously when they pass by.

Appears to be paranoid by exhibiting odd behaviour such as an extensive investment in home security.

Strange odours coming from house or garbage.

Garbage has numerous bottles and containers.

Setting out garbage in another neighbours' collection area.

If you find one, don't hesitate to call 911. If you suspect one, but aren't entirely sure, contact (604) 717-2935."

And just to keep you in the loop, here's the link for the Burnaby Now article on the recent drug lab found nearby Edmonds.

http://www.burnabynow.com/issues07/012107/news/012107nn6.html

Anti-Graffiti Initiatives

Here at ECCW we are actively pursuing ways to eradicate our unsightly graffiti. Our research points to some interesting research on what works and what doesn't when it comes to graffiti.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) came up with a neat little way to combat some of their graffiti, and we're including the link to the full story from the Vancouver Courier article.

http://www.vancourier.com/issues04/053204/news/053204nn3.html

Hopefully the RCMP has a similar program or can work with us to develop an anti-graffiti task force. Interestingly, Det. Const. Valerie Spicer of the VPD reported in the Vancouver Courier that 'a police study in 2004 found taggers were caught 97 per cent of the time after residents called 911 to report them.'

So let's not hesitate to contact the police if we catch a criminal in the act. This is more effective in the long run, and much safer, than approaching them. Most people carry cell phones, and many people have camera phones, so if you see someone tagging our neighbourhood and can take a picture of them without them noticing, then by all means do so, but we can't stress enough that our safety comes first, so please no vigilantism. 911 is our best defense.

On an end note, many people have noticed that much of our graffiti mentions "KBIZ". If anyone knows (or has a hunch) who this might be, we are interested in hearing from you. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The last thing we want is a gang laying claim to our neighbourhood. Perhaps this person or group of people enjoys bragging about their graffiti, in which case perhaps you or your teenagers may have heard about it. We will pursue all leads and guarantee your anonymity, so please don't hesitate to step forward and help us keep the Edmonds community safe. Cheers.

Graffiti

Graffiti abound in the Edmonds neighbourhood and we're included some shots to give you an idea of what we are up against. These pictures are in the Byrne Creek and Ron McLean parks, as well as in the vicinity of the Edmonds skytrain station and surrounding trails. Of primary concern is our nemesis "KBIZ". Note that much of the graffiti in our neighbourhood is tagged with the KBIZ logo. Who (or what) KBIZ is and why he/they choose to deface our beautiful community is an issue that we are taking seriously.

Our goal is to eradicate the graffit, which we do not consider art, within 24-48 hours of it being reported. So it you see any graffiti, please be sure to contact us so that we can keep track of the hot spots. Perhaps you can even help us whitewash it. Sooner or later these criminals will get the message that they are not wanted in the Edmonds community.

Again, we can be reached at bby-eccw@hotmail.com

Thank you all for your help and support!

ECCW/Police Partnership

Edmonds Community Citizens Watch is committed to working with the police to make our neighbourhood a safer place to live. We have held preliminary meetings to organize our group plan to combat crime and have invited the police to attend and help guide us in the right direction. We look forward to working with them to build a safer community. For now, we'd like to share the following thoughts with our neighbours:

Many of us choose to live in this area for its quiet and beautiful setting. However, over the last few years we are seeing a deterioration of this good neighbourhood.

WHAT IF WE JUST IGNORE THIS AND WE FAIL TO TAKE ACTION?
Firstly, the volunteers who are now cleaning the graffiti will be discouraged and will likely quit. We will then see an escalation of vandalism, followed by the gangs, drug dealers and other violent criminals. Ultimately they will put an end to our security, our quality of living and finally erode the property values in the area.

Clearly some of us see that there are a number of security problems, and they are both complex and troubling. But also keep in mind that there are over 4000 people living here –we have the odds on our side. The objective here is also very simple:

OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD NEEDS TO BE SAFE & SECURE.

If you agree with this, then we encourage you to actively support and assist in this comprehensive citizen driven program. The Edmonds Community Citizens Watch (ECCW) is taking on the following initiatives:

Achieve full community involvement on all levels and calling for support from the community, the media, the police and the municipality.
An aggressive community graffiti cleaning & control program.
Inform all citizens as to what to do – safe & effective methods and approaches we can all do as individuals.
Taking back our streets & paths with increasing physical presence – Please be aware that we are not here to confront and neither is this a vigilante group. Instead we will be actively observing, recording and reporting – The police are encouraging this type of citizen activity.

WHAT EACH CITIZEN CAN DO:

Ø LEARN MORE: Take the initiative, challenge yourself: Read and learn more, by reading our materials and by going to our blog. You are encouraged to share info with the ECCW.
Ø BE POSITIVE: Having a Positive ‘Can do’ attitude is important as there will challenges and setbacks in the future. Ask questions and kindly, encourage and reassure each other at all opportunities.
Ø ATTEND MEETINGS: Come in and voice your concerns and explore ideas to deal with this situation – Learn of what to be aware and alert to, and proper steps to take.
Ø TALK: Tell your strata & neighbours– Tell them about your involvement and encourage them to support the ECCW in all possible ways.
Ø GET INVOLVED: Volunteer you skills and a little time. We ask our volunteers to put in at a minimum of 3 - 4 hours/ month. There are a number of different ways to do this, including some from the comfort of your own home. Tasks will be matched to your skills, interests and background.
WHAT STRATAS & BUSINESSES CAN DO:

Ø COMMUNICATE: Regularly send at a representative to attend our ECCW meetings. Share highlight of the meetings and initiatives in your strata minutes. Establish regular communications regarding concerns, ideas and initiatives. We encouraged communication via email and have up-to-date information on our internet Blog.
Ø GRAFFITI POLICY: Initiate a zero tolerance for graffiti on or within 50 meters (150 feet) of your building. Organize and assign this task so that all graffiti can be eliminate within 24 – 48 hours. [Research shows this to be effective in discouraging repeated incidents]
Ø INVITE US: Invite an ECCW member to speaker with your strata council and share your concerns and ideas. Invite us to hold a general meeting for free (or for a minor fee) in your building once per year. To build support we will regularly rotate our meetings through the neighbourhood complexes.
Ø REPORT & SHARE INFO:
Share your security breach incidents [Date, time, place and nature of breach] – Note that confidentiality will always be respected.
Ø SPONSOR & SUPPORT:
At this time our costs are minor: However, to deal with the growing graffiti problems we need is cleaning solutions and paint for our volunteers to use. We also need to print, copy, send letters and correspondence. Jackets and communication equipment is also needed for our patrols. Any donation is appreciated and will only be used to further our objective.

THE PERPETRATORS INCENTIVE IS OUR ABSENCE …
… OUR PRESENCE IS THEIR DETERENT.

RESOURCES:

Email us at: bby-eccw@hotmail.com

BC Crime Prevention Association: http://www.bccpa.org
Ph: 604 – 291-9959 / Fax: 604 – 291-9951 Email: info@bccpa.org

Choices in the Park – Go there and ask the shift manager for the ECCW sign up list and we will contact you shortly.

Community Police Centre (RCMP) High gate
7191 Arcola St, Burnaby. Hours: Monday- Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Ph: 604 – 656-3275

Graffiti - If it is on Burnaby City property report it to: 604-294-7440 (Engineering Dept)

Crime Update

Hello neighbours,
We'd like to share an unfortunate article from The Province newspaper with you. It serves to highlight our need to work together to combat crime in the Edmonds area of Burnaby.

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=f1b291f0-c72e-449d-85eb-1a292ed58fa3

Our absence on the street equals opportunities for thugs and criminals. Alone we can easily become victims. Our presence as a group makes people accountable and deters illicit activity.

About Us

Hello to our Edmonds neighbours! Thanks for joining us in our grassroots efforts to clean up our neighbourhood and help make it a safe and enjoyable haven to call home.

Our formation occurred due to a growing concern over:

• increased graffiti and vandalism
• disturbances, assaults and robberies along our trails
• frequent disorderly and illicit activity around the Edmonds skytrain station, especially on weekend nights
• limited police and skytrain staff response

Rather than taking a passive approach and watching our neighbourhood deteriorate, we decided to form an active citizen driven community watch. We are looking for responsible, motivated and caring people to join us in:

• increasing surveillance and crime reporting
• activelly patrolling our streets and walkways
• cleaning up the graffiti and litter

While we are still in the formation stages, we aspire to grow into a formidable crime deterrent force in our community. If you wish to join us, feel free to contact us at:

bby-eccw@hotmail.com

Please share with us your concerns and ideas. We will work together to form pro-active solutions. All involvement is voluntary and there are no obligations. Strict confidentiality will be respected.

Stay tuned for specific auto and home safety tips and updates on our progress!