Safety tips

ATM safety
Automated Teller Machine crime falls in two categories: Robbery, or taking money from ATM users and theft of passwords. The criminals involved in the two are very different. One wants whatever money is on hand, the other wants access all the cash he can steal. Here are some tips from law enforcement officials to help thwart both of them:
  • Pay Attention to Surroundings. Don’t select an ATM at the corner of a building. Corners Look for an ATM in a public, well-lighted location that is free of shrubbery and decorative partitions or dividers.
  • Keep Your Eyes Open. Maintain an awareness of your surroundings. Be aware of anyone sitting in a parked car nearby. Criminals often wait for someone to use the ATM, then rob them.
  • When leaving an ATM, make sure you are not being followed. If you are, drive immediately to a police or fire station, or to a crowded, well-lighted location or business.
  • PIN Protection: Do not let people to look over your shoulder as you enter your PIN. Memorize your number; never write it on the back of your card.
  • If the machine “eats” your card, do not re-enter your PIN. Contact a bank official.
  • Keep It Small. Don’t withdraw more than you need, if possible. Large sums of money would make a criminal more likely to take chances.
  • Don’t Count Your Cash. Never count cash at the machine. Pocket it quickly and leave. Wait until you are in your car or another secure place to count.
  • Watch Your Space. When using a drive-up ATM, keep your engine running and your doors locked. Leave enough room to maneuver between your car and the one ahead of you if you feel threatened.
  • The Envelope, Please. Grab a few extra deposit envelopes to keep at home or in your car. That way, you can prepare your transactions before arriving at the ATM. This will minimize the amount of time spent at the machine.
  • Watch Your Statements. Closely monitor your bank statements, as well as your balances, and immediately report any problems to your bank.
  • Give the Money and Run. Despite your best efforts, if you are involved in a confrontation with an assailant who demands your money, do it. Drop the money and run. Most criminals only want the cash, and while they’re picking it up, you get away.


    • Auto theft tips
    Forget “Gone in 60 Seconds.”
    In the United States, a car is stolen every every 30 seconds. In North Carolina 40 percent of the cars stolen are never found. These aren’t all pristine new cars either. The average value of a stolen car in 2006 was about $6,650. One in every 200 cars in the United States was stolen in 2005, and North Carolina was one of the top four states in motorcycle thefts.
    These tips from the Insurance Information Institute can help reduce your chances of losing your vehicle — or its contents.
  • Take Your Keys. Nearly 20 percent of all vehicles stolen have the keys in them.
  • Lock Your Car. Approximately 50 percent of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
  • Turn the Engine Off. Car thieves often scout large gas stations, waiting for people to go in and pay for gas while leaving their engine running. Never leave your car running unattended to dash into a business.
  • Beware at Gas Stations. The unique setting allows thieves to catch their victims by complete surprise — when they are pumping gas or paying their tab inside the station. Most of the time, gas station customers leave their car doors unlocked and items like purses and wallets are often left in plain view. A thief is able to drive up next to the victim's car, open an unlocked door, and grab any valuables within reach. Or hop in and drive off. It happens in a matter of seconds.
  • Roll With It. Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front of your home. If it’s outside, keep the windows up.
  • Hide the Valuables. Never leave valuables in plain view. Put them in the trunk, out of sight, or at the very least covered. Also, never leave personal identification documents, driver’s license, vehicle title or credit cards in your vehicle
  • Safety Loves Company. Criminals don’t like to work with an audience. Always park in high-traffic, well-lighted areas, when possible
  • No Steer, No Fear. Install a mechanical device that locks the steering wheel, column, or brakes. These devices will deter some criminals, who will seek an easier target.
  • Curb Your Car. If you park on the street, park with the wheels turned toward the curb. It makes your car tough to tow away. Wheels should also be turned to the side in driveways and parking lots.
  • Ignition Kill Switch. Have your mechanic splice an inexpensive toggle switch into your ignition wire. The trick is hiding the switch well. When switched off, it will prevent the engine from turning over.
  • Copy the Numbers. Copy your license plate and vehicle information (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them in a safe place. If your vehicle is stolen, the police will need this information to take a report.


    • Carjacking tips
    Carjacking, the theft of a motor vehicle while occupied by its owner, was described by the U.S. Department of Justice as “a growth crime of the ’90s.” The number of attacks has leveled off in this decade (nationally at 1.3 per 1,000 in 2004) but it remains a frightening, potentially deadly crime. According to the department, carjacking rates were higher in urban areas then suburban or rural areas. Ninety-three percent of carjackings occurred in cities or suburbs. A weapon was used in 74 percent of carjackings, most commonly a handgun (45 percent). Law enforcement officials suggest these tips to reduce the chances of being a victim of carjacking:
  • Walk with a purpose. Stay alert when approaching your car. Look like a less likely victim. Criminals are looking for the easiest target.
  • Stay alert. Approach your car with key in hand. Look around as you approach the car. Check inside the car before you enter.
  • While driving, look around, especially at places where you slow down or stop, such as garages and parking lots, intersections, self-service gas stations, and ATMs.
  • Carjacker hot spots. Be especially aware of people when parking at: Intersections controlled by stop lights; garages and parking lots for shopping malls; churches or grocery stores; Self-serve gas stations; ATMs; any place where traffic forces you to stop and leave the engine running.
  • Park smart if possible. Park in well-lighted areas, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near Dumpsters, woods, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility.
  • Don’t stop. If you are bumped by another car and aren’t comfortable with the surroundings, motion the other driver to follow you to a well-lighted, populated area.
  • Keep doors locked and windows rolled up, no matter how short the distance or how safe the area.
  • Don’t get out of your car to aid a stranger with a disabled car. Either use your cell phone or drive to the nearest phone and call police for help.
  • Make room. Tailgating is never a good idea, especially if it leaves you boxed in. Leave yourself enough room to maneuver if you sense trouble and need to get away.
  • Safety in numbers. Avoid driving alone, if possible. Travel with someone, especially at night. Carjackers rarely approach a car with more than one person
  • If you are carjacked. If a carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, don’t argue. Your life is worth more than a car. If you can, exit the car and start running.
  • If a stranger jumps in your car at a stop light, another strategy is to rear-end the car in front of you. This creates a disturbance a carjacker doesn’t expect. Odds are, he’ll run because he can’t use your car.


    • ID theft
    The Electronic Age has made a lot of people rich. Unfortunately, some have gotten rich taking other people’s money — by stealing their identities. The National Consumer League’s National Fraud Information Center reported that from January to September 2005, online auctions accounted for 42 percent of all complaints received. Far worse, the average loss was an astounding $1,129 per person. The loss to consumers from identity theft was $5 billion in 2004, with an average loss of $400, $1,440 if the crime was committed online. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Identity thieves operate in several ways:
  • They steal credit card payments and other outgoing mail from private, curbside mailboxes.
  • They dig through garbage cans or communal Dumpsters in search of canceled checks, credit card and bank statements, and pre-approved credit card offers.
  • They hack into computers that contain personal records and steal the data.
  • They file a change of address form in the victim’s name to divert mail and gather personal and financial data.

    • Here are some tips to help you protect your identity:
  • Auction Tips: Understand how an online auction works before you bid. Be wary if the seller has only a post office box address or an e-mail address. Always use a credit card for your auction purchase so that you can dispute the charge if necessary; never use a wire transfer, money order, or personal check.
  • Social Security Number: To foil identity thieves, never give out your Social Security number or other personal information. Shred all bills, bank statements, and “pre-approved” credit card offers before you put them in the trash. Don’t have new checks mailed to you at home; pick them up at the bank.

    ID Theft Complaints:
    The Federal Trade Commission is the clearinghouse for identity theft complaints. The complaints received from victims are available to other law enforcement officials. The ID theft complaint website can be used in conjunction with a police report to create an Identity Theft Report.
    An identity theft report can be used to block fraudulent information from appearing on your credit report. It also prevents a company from continuing to collect debts that result from identity theft, or selling them to others for collection.


    Personal Safety
    First the good news: According to the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, we’re safer than we were a generation ago.
    Figures for murder, rape, robbery, and assault were highest in the early 1980s, peaking in 1982 at 52.3 crimes per 1,000 people age 12 and over.
    By 2004 this figure had dropped to 21.1 per 1,000. The decline came in every demographic category — gender, race and household income.
    Teens and young adults were the victims of the most violent crimes (an average of 83.7 per 1,000 people). Those 65 or older were victimized at a much lower rate (9.1 per 1,000 persons).
    Law enforcement officials offer the following suggestions for personal safety:
  • Make It Tough To Break In. Make sure you have sturdy metal or solid wood doors at all entries into your home. Make sure sliding glass doors are properly secured. Trim the shrubbery around your doors and windows so crooks don’t have a place to hide.
  • Don’t be a target. If you’re a senior, use direct deposit for your Social Security check and other regular payments.
  • As you walk down a street or through a parking lot, walk alertly and assertively. Don’t weigh yourself down with too many parcels.
  • If you carry a purse, hold it close to your body; if a wallet, keep it in a front pocket.
  • Don’t display cash or inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
  • Keep your keys in hand, ready to open the car or house door quickly.


    • If You’re Followed:
  • If you notice someone following you when you’re driving, head for the nearest busy, brightly lighted area.
  • Write down the license number and make and model of the car. Call 911 or your local emergency number.
  • If you think you are being followed while walking, make a sudden turn, cross the street or head into a nearby business. If someone in a car is following you, simply reverse your direction. It will take them a much longer time to turn around and they will likely give up.
  • If you are unable to shake the follower, turn around and scream, “What do you want?” The worst that happens is you embarrass someone, and it will frighten off most potential attackers.
  • If this doesn't work, scream. Your voice is your primary weapon, and the last thing a criminal wants is a fuss. Over the years, experts have warned not to yell, "Help" but to yell, "Fire!"
    At the same time, run. Put yardage between you and the would-be attacker. Scream while running. Draw attention to yourself. If there are people nearby, run to them. If there is a lighted business or home, run to it. Even if they won't let you in, you are attracting attention which will likely cause the attacker to leave the area.
  • If the attacker has a weapon, scream and run faster. double time. Put distance between you and him. Few criminals can hit a moving target. By displaying a weapon he has threatened your life, and you need to get away NOW.
  • Stay away from cars. Never get in a car. Ever. We tell this to kids every day. Why should it be different for adults?
    Statistics show that if you are female, you have an almost 100 percent chance of being raped and may be killed if you get into a vehicle. If you are male, you have an almost 100 percent chance of being killed. You’ve got much better odds by running. Besides, if he wanted to shoot or stab you, he’d have done it already. Obviously, he has something else in mind for you.
  • Fight For Your Life. If your attacker surprises you and gets you into a grip, fight. If you can’t break free, gouge, grab, kick, rip ... whatever it takes to get loose.
  • Crash the Car: If you have been forced into a vehicle, or an attacker has climbed into yours, make every attempt to disable the car. Hit a tree, a building, anything to stop the ride. You’re far better off damaging the car and escaping.