Neighborhood Watch News
2010 Census to Begin
THIS IS PRETTY BASIC ADVICE; BUT, IN TODAY'S TIMES, I CAN SEE IT
COULD LEAVE AN OPEN DOOR FOR PASSING OUT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION.
WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the
Better Business Bureau
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as
not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase
of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying
the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more
than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the
United States and will gather information about every person living
at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other
relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a
U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following
advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a
badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a
confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their
badge before answering their questions. However, you should never
invite anyone you don't know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify
address information. Do not give your Social Security number,
credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim
they need it for the U.S. Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL
THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information,
such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL
ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The
Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or
credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one
asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN
ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach
you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or
in person at home. However, the Census Bureau
will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for
Email scams
impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments
in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit
www.bbb.org
THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last
week cleaning your
carpets, painting your shutters, or
delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when
I was working in
your yard last week. While I was in
there, I unlatched the back window
to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you hav e taste
... and taste means
there are nice things inside. Those
yard toys your kids leave out always
make me wonder what type of gaming
system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on
the driveway. And I
might leave a pizza flyer in your
front door to see how long it takes
you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a
neighbor to create car
and foot tracks into the house. Virgin
drifts in the driveway are a dead
giveaway..
6. If decorative glass is part of your front
entrance, don't let your
alarm company install the control pad
where I can see if it's set. That
makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over
the sink. And the
windows on the second floor, which
often access the master bedroom-and
your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to
put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella,
and you forget to
lock your door-understandable. But
understand this: I don't take a day
off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for
directions
somewhere or offer to clean your
gutters.. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock
drawer? I always check
dresser drawers, the bedside table,
and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into
kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break
into that safe where
you keep your valuables. But if it's
not bolted down, I'll take it with
me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent
than the best alarm
system. If you're reluctant to leave
your TV on while you're out of
town, you can buy a $35 device that
works on a timer and simulates the
flickering glow of a real
television... (Find it at
faketv.com.)
8 MORE THINGS A
BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I
dress like a lawn guy
and carry a rake. I do my best
to20never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy
neighbors.
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a
little noise. If
your neighbor hears one loud sound,
he'll stop what he's doing and wait
to hear it again. If he doesn't hear
it again, he'll just go back to
what he was doing. It's human nature.
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all
that money for a fancy
alarm system and leave your house
without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for
signs that you're
home, and for flat screen TVs or
gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or
walk through your neighborhood at
night, before you close the blinds,
just to pick my targets.
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook
page. It's easier
than you think to look up your
address.
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack
during the day is a way
to let in a little fresh air. To me,
it's an invitation.
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door.
Occasionally, I hit
the jackpot and walk right in.
Sources: Convicted
burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California ,
and
Kentucky ; security consultant Chris
McGoey, who runs
crimedoctor.com;
and Richard T. Wright, a criminology
professor at the University of
Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed
105 burglars for his book Burglars
on the Job..
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Summer 2009 - Suspicious Vehicle
We have had some reports of suspicious vehicles parked or stopped on
(or near) Wildsprings by the schools. I have talked to Officer
Knowski about this and he said to call the police if you see any car
acting suspiciously (you don't need to give your name). The police
can then stop and investigate but they need that call. If it is
innocent that is okay. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Hope everyone has a safe summer.
July 30, 2009 - Suspicious Vehicle
Early this morning (2am) when my son Nick was going to bed, he
looked out his bedroom window and noticed a NEWER MODEL, RED, SUV
cruising suspiciously slow around the cul-de-sac. The SUV stopped
in front of my neighbor's house for several minutes. This alarmed
my son as my neighbors accidentally left their garage door open.
After several minutes, the SUV then slowly pulled forward and
stopped at the end of the block...just a door down from my neighbors
house...and again idled for several minutes and then abruptly left.
I am afraid that whoever was in this red SUV was "casing" the scene
and perhaps planning a return with some "helpers"
I went over to my neighbor's house this morning to relay the news
and ask her to give the police a call as I did to report this
suspicious activity. Once we got to talking further, I was
surprised to know that it was her older Boxer that was recently
found in the neighborhood about a week ago. Thankfully,
another neighbor heard about the lost dog on this network and was
able to inform her that the family friend was safe at the pound and
she is now safe at home again.
I think the more folks we get involved, the more active we can all
become for each other and the overall safety of our neighborhood.
Let's keep an eye open for this SUV and make sure to double check
our garage doors at night. I know I've left mine open too by
accident. I'm afraid that someone is looking for that opportunity
in a newer model, red SUV. Now we know.
Yours in health,
Mary-Catherine
Check back often for updates.
