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.