Crime Prevention News

Technology is constantly evolving. So are the risks associated with it. You can reduce these risks by talking to your kids about how they communicate - online and off - and encouraging them to think critically and act in a way they can be proud of.

What's the best way to protect your kids online? Talk to them. While kids value the opinions of their peers, most tend to rely on their parents for help on the issues that matter most.

• Click Here for Resources on Online Safety

Questions You Need to Ask Yourself Concerning Social Media

1. Do you set rules that your child must follow when it comes to social media usage? Are there consequences for breaking the rules?

2. Do you set age limits for social media sites and are there time limits for being on line?

3. Do you know the passwords to your child’s phone and social media accounts?  If not get them!

4. Do you monitor, “Follow” your child’s social media accounts?  There is software that can help you track what your child is looking at!

5. Have you spoken to your child about the dangers of sharing information on line with strangers?  Do they realize the person they are talking to might not be who they claim to be?

6. Does your child know that whatever they send out on social media cannot be taken back?  A picture, an inappropriate text or anything else will probably be out there forever and just might come back to have consequences when you later apply for college or try to get a job!

7. Do you have your children use there devices in a central location and not the privacy of their bedroom?

8. Have you spoken to your children about not giving out personal information?  Explain to them that giving out their private information on line to someone they do not know is very dangerous!  Make sure that photo’s they post on line do not show your home address or any other identifiable information.

 “Avoid the Home Repair Scam”

Avoid anyone:

• Who knocks on your door unsolicited

• Ask for payment for the whole job upfront and asks to be paid in cash.

• Is not visible on line or has no physical address just a Post Office Box.

• Offers you a discount to recruit other customers.

• Ask you to go and purchase the building permit.

• Gives you a “Too good to be true price”

• Pressures you to decide immediately for a huge discounted price.

• Tells you to act immediately due to safety concerns.

• Tells you to sign a contract without reading it.

• Offers you a great deal based on having left over materials from another job.

• Talks fast and attempts to confuse you when you ask questions.

   

So if you are having home repairs of any kind done, get several quotes to verify you are not being over charged or scammed.   Verify that the company is legit and not just a crew in the area scamming people and ripping them off.

Do not pay for the work up front!!!

If you feel the company is suspicious contact law enforcement.

Here is a link to a scam warning from the Attorney General’s Office.

Crime Prevention

Home & Property Security

• 1. Personal Property Inventory

• 2. Home Security Checklist

• 3. Target Harden Your Homes

• 4. Protect Your Vehicle 

 Fraud & Scams

• 1. Identity Theft

• 2. Prevention of ID Theft

• 3. America's Worst Charities

• 4. Fraud Alert

Safety

• 1. Personal Security

• 2. Halloween Safety

 Theft Avoidance Tips

• 1. Bicycle Thefts

• 2. Theft of Packages

• 3. Mail Thefts