What to Do Before the Burglar Comes
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WhatWhat toto dodo BeforeBefore thethe BBurglarurglar Comes Comes CW31 +RZWR5HGXFH5HVLGHQWLDO%XUJODU\ 7DEOHRI&RQWHQWV :KDWLV,GHQWLW\7KHIW" +RPH6HFXULW\6XUYH\V Identity theft occurs when someone steals your have been the victim of an identity theft, check +RPH6HFXULW\&KHFNOLVW personal information, credit cards, checks, or your criminal history to clear up any arrest or driver’s license and uses that information to conviction records in your name caused by 2XWVLGH<RXU+RPH obtain credit or merchandise in your name. someone using your name as an alias. ([WHULRU'RRUV How Does Identity Theft Happen? What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk of Everyday transactions require you to share your Identity Theft? 6OLGLQJ*ODVV'RRUV personal information such as your name, address, M Before you reveal any personal identifying 6HFXULQJ'RRUV and phone numbers, bank and credit card account information, determine why it is needed by numbers, and your Social Security number. the person requesting it. Ask if you can choose /RFNVDQG6HFXULW\+DUGZDUH Thieves may have access to this information to have it kept confidential. 6HFXULQJ:LQGRZV through their employer. M Cancel unused credit cards. M Purses and wallets may be stolen. 3DGORFNVDQG+DVSV M Do not give up your Social Security number M Mail may be stolen including new check unless absolutely necessary. 2SHUDWLRQ,GHQWLILFDWLRQ orders, bank and credit card statements, and pre-approved credit offers. M Be cautious when using bank ATMs or public :KHQ$ZD\)URP+RPH phones. Make long distance calls so that the M Your trash may be rummaged through for number you are using cannot be observed by 6HFXULQJ$SDUWPHQWRU&RQGRPLQLXP personal information. others in the area. M Fraudulent telephone solicitors may contact you. 6HFXULQJ<RXU0DQXIDFWXUHG+RPH M Check your credit reports at least once a year. What Should I Do If It Happens? M Sign the back of new credit cards as soon as 6XPPHU&DELQ3URWHFWLRQ M Contact your local police department as soon as you get them. Destroy unwanted cards. )LVK+RXVH&ULPH:DWFK possible. Most fraudulent use of cards or checks takes place within days of being lost or stolen. Protect Your Mail from Theft? %ORFN:DWFK&OXEVDQG1HLJKERUKRRG:DWFK M Install a locked mailbox at your residence. M Contact the fraud departments of the three %XUJODU$ODUPV major credit bureaus as soon as possible. M Do not leave paid bills in your mailbox for pickup. Ask that a “fraud alert” be placed on your M Have your mail held by the post office if you 2EVHUYLQJ6XVSLFLRXV$FWLYLW\ name and Social Security number immediately will be away from home. 5HSRUWLQJ&ULPHVWR3ROLFH so hopefully law enforcement will be contacted If Your Social Security Card Was Taken if a business checks with the credit bureau. $GGLWLRQDO&ULPH3UHYHQWLRQ7LSV M Call the Social Security Administration Fraud This will also show up if you use your accounts Hotline S.S.A. Fraud Hotline: 800-269-0271. without changing them, so you may wish to :KDWLV,GHQWLW\7KHIW carry a copy of the police report with you to Helpful Phone Numbers of Three Major minimize credit hassles for yourself. Credit Bureaus M Contact the credit departments as soon as Equifax — www.equifax.com possible about any accounts that have been To order your report, call 800-685-1111 This document can be made available in alternative formats by calling 651-793-1100. tampered with or opened fraudulently. Experian — www.experian.com Minnesota Crime Watch thanks the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association for its help M Contact the postal service as soon as possible To order your report, call 888-EXPERIAN in publishing this booklet. if you think your mail has been stolen. (888-397-3742); To report fraud, call 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742) A special thanks to Menards for assisting with photography and information. Keep a list of phone numbers handy for all credit cards and financial institutions you may need TransUnion — www.tuc.com quickly if your purse or wallet is stolen, including To order your report, call 800-916-8800 account numbers and expiration dates. If you To report fraud, call 800-680-7289 19 +RZWR5HGXFH5HVLGHQWLDO%XUJODU\ +RZWR5HGXFH5HVLGHQWLDO%XUJODU\ +RPH 6HFXULW\ 6XUYH\V 5HSRUWLQJ&ULPHVWR3ROLFH A home security survey is designed to show frames that cannot spread apart with a pry Follow these steps when reporting a crime M Describe one thing at a time, simply and citizens where their homes are vulnerable bar are recommended. to police. clearly. This will make your report much to forced entry. Locks are checked, windows clearer to the person taking the call. M Remain calm. inspected and security weaknesses are Door Locks Quality deadbolt locks with a minimum one- M Be patient. Answer all questions. identified during the survey. The information M Call 911. Help may be on the way even before gathered will show what steps are needed inch throw are recommended. These locks M Identify yourself and give your location. you’re through answering the questions. to make homes more burglary-resistant. should be mounted so one cannot open the door after breaking a window. Mounting M Describe what is happening or what you M Stay on the line until all the questions Ask your local law enforcement agency to the lock low on the door can sometimes saw happen. asked by the person taking the call have conduct a survey of your home. eliminate this problem. been answered. M Describe the suspect or suspects. Main Level Windows Garage Glass is most vulnerable to attack. But, Garage doors should be secured to elimi- many burglars are reluctant to break nate a burglar access to tools that could windows because they’re visible from help them break into the house. Also, a $GGLWLRQDO&ULPH3UHYHQWLRQ7LSV the street or from neighboring dwellings. garage is a place for an intruder to hide. Windows hidden from view must be M Lock the front door when working in the M Never automatically open your door securely protected. Lights back yard. Lock the back door when when someone knocks or rings the Flood lights at exterior doors and by garage working in the front yard. doorbell. Use the 180-degree viewer to Basement Windows doors are recommended. Use timers on check the person’s identification and M Don’t hide keys under the doormat or Basement windows should be secured to interior lights when not at home. business. If in doubt, call the company anywhere outside. prevent forcing. Window locks should not to check the authenticity of identification. House Number be vulnerable if the glass is broken. M Never leave written messages outside M If someone comes to your door asking Screening materials can be used effectively A house number should be clearly displayed your home. It’s a sign that the home to use your phone for an emergency, on window wells or on window framing. and well lighted at night for law enforcement is unoccupied. to see. offer to make the call for them. Don’t Sliding Glass Door M Re-key all exterior locks when moving let them in your house. Sliding glass doors can be secured with a Shrubs into a new home. M Place your law enforcement agency’s Charley bar, pinning or with simple locks. Plants should be trimmed so they don’t block possible points of entry or conceal M Do not allow children to open doors emergency phone number near your Exterior Doors a potential attacker. to strangers. telephone. Solid core hardwood doors with rugged 1 18 +RZWR5HGXFH5HVLGHQWLDO%XUJODU\ +RZWR5HGXFH5HVLGHQWLDO%XUJODU\ 2EVHUYLQJ6XVSLFLRXV$FWLYLW\FRQWLQXHG +RPH 6HFXULW\ &KHFNOLVW M A strange vehicle left running and parked Robbery is taking another’s property by If you check the following items, you have M Are garage doors closed and locked on your street. force or the threat of force. It involves greatly reduced the chance of burglary. when not in use? (See page 5) confrontation with the offender. If you did not check an item, refer to the M Someone shouting “Help,” “Fire” M Are doors locked at all times? page mentioned for information about or “Rape.” (See page 6) Larceny is stealing something without force increasing security. M Shots, alarms or windows being broken. or entry, such as pickpocketing or shoplifting. M Are deadbolt locks, with a minimum one- M Do exterior lights illuminate your home? M Someone tampering with a neighbor’s inch throw, installed on exterior doors? Vandalism is the destruction or defacing (See page 1) vehicle. (See page 6) of property. M Is shrubbery trimmed so a burglar can’t M M Are heavy duty strike plates mounted on Someone with a weapon. hide near windows and doors? Assault is when one hurts or tries to exterior door frames? (See page 7) (See page 1) M Someone entering or leaving a business hurt another. before or after business hours. M Are windows secured with auxiliary locks M Are exterior doors made of solid Sexual assault is when a person is forced or pinned with a nail? (See page 8) M Someone carrying items of value from a hardwood? (See page 3) into sexual activity he or she does not want neighbor’s home. M Are you enrolled in Operation to be involved in or is under the age of M Is there a 180-degree viewer in the Identification? (See page 10) M Someone who appears to be moving consent. Sexual assault is not just rape. front door? (See page 3) household items late at night. M Do you report suspicious persons or M Are sliding glass doors pinned or secured activity to the police immediately? with auxiliary locks? (See page 4) Definitions of common crimes: (See page 18) Burglary is when one enters a structure M Are sheet metal screws inserted through illegally with the intention of committing a the upper track of the sliding glass door serious crime, such as stealing something frame to prevent removal of the doors? or hurting someone.