May 2008 Archives

Carjacking of parked vehicles depends on the car owner being inattentive to their surroundings.

Carjackers, like street robbers, prefer the element of surprise.  Most victims say they never saw the carjacker until they appeared at their car door. To reduce your risk of being carjacked, we have listed some common sense steps below:

·         Always park in well-lighted areas, if you plan to arrive/leave after dark

·         Don't park in isolated or visually obstructed areas near walls or heavy foliage

·         Use valet parking or an attended garage, if you're a woman driving alone

·         As you walk to your car be alert to suspicious persons sitting in cars

·         Ask for a security escort if you are alone at a shopping center

·         Watch out for young males loitering in the area (handing out flyers, etc)

·         If someone tries to approach, change direction or run to a busy store

·         Follow your instincts if they tell you to walk/run away to a busy place

·         As you approach your vehicle, look under, around, and inside your car

·         If safe, open the door, enter quickly, and lock the doors

·         Don't be a target by turning your back while loading packages into the car

·         Make it your habit to always start your car and drive away immediately

·         Teach and practice with your children to enter and exit the car quickly

·         In the city, always drive with your car doors locked and windows rolled up

·         When stopped in traffic, leave room to maneuver and escape, if necessary

·         If you are bumped in traffic, by young males, be suspicious of the accident

·         Wave to follow, and drive to a gas station or busy place before getting out

·         If you are ever confronted by an armed carjacker don't resist

·         Give up your keys or money if demanded without resistance

·         Don't argue, fight or chase the robber.   You can be seriously injured

·         Never agree to be kidnapped.  Drop the cars keys and run and scream for help

·         If you are forced to drive, consider crashing your car near a busy intersection so bystanders can come to your aid and call the police

·         Call the police immediately to report the crime and provide detailed information.  Be sure to carry  a Stun Gun, TASER or Pepper Spray to make sure you have a first line of self defense.

ATM cash machines have been incorporated in our way of life.  They offer a real convenience to those on the run but at the same time offer an element of risk.  Using an ATM machine safely requires awareness and a little planning.  Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24-hours a day doesn't mean it is safe to use it.  Most ATM robberies occur at night between 8:00 PM and midnight.  ATM robbers are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone.  ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash.  Most ATM robbery victims are women and were alone when robbed.  Most claim that they never saw the robber coming.  Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash.

If you or your family members use ATM cash machines on a regular basis, here are some tips that can make the process a little safer:

·         Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas.  Don't use ATM machines that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, behind pillars, walls, or away from public view.   Beware of obvious hiding places like shrubbery or overgrown trees.  ATM robbers like to have the element of surprise and no witnesses.   Robbers like good escape routes like nearby freeway on-ramps or high speed thoroughfares.

·         Choose an ATM that looks and 'feels' safer, even if it is a couple of miles out of the way.  Try and limit your use to daylight hours.  Take someone with you after hours, if you can.  When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons.  If you see anyone suspicious standing nearby or sitting in a car, drive away.  When you approach an ATM on foot be prepared and have your access card ready.  Memorize your personal PIN number to prevent loss and speed the transaction.  After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you.  Never accept an offer to help or request for help from a suspicious male ahead of you at the machine.   If anyone suspicious or seemingly dangerous approaches terminate your transaction and leave immediately, even if it means running away and leaving your ATM card in the machine.  First, tell the suspicious male in a loud, firm voice to "back-off" and leave you alone.  This is designed to startle the person and give you time to flee, if appropriate.  When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately, extract your card, and walk away.

·         If you use your car at a drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply.  Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the ATM machine.  Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction.  Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the drivers side.  If you see anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your ATM card behind.  If you are confronted by an armed robber, just give up your money without argument.  The cash is not worth serious injury or death.  Get to a safe place and call the police immediately.

·         If lights around the ATM are not working, don't use that machine

·         Avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places

·         Have your card ready and leave quickly, not counting your cash in public

·         Beware of offers for help from strangers during an ATM transaction 

·         Don't fight with or attempt to follow the robber

·         Drive or walk to a safe place and immediately call the police

If you are in immediate danger of being raped, here are some things that you can do.  

Make a loud noise - Carry a whistle or scream "police" to attract attention  

Run - Only run if there is somewhere safe to run to. If there is no where to go you may aggravate the assailant further by running

Stall - Speak calmly and rationally. Try not to plead, cry or show that you're scared, this may be the reaction that he's going for.  

Urinate or vomit - Do anything you can to repulse the assailant. Tell him that you have a STD or AIDS.

Fight - Women who resist attacks and act quickly are less likely to be raped, than those who are passive. The optimum time to react is in the first 20 seconds when the body releases chemicals in the blood that help to put up a fight. Be cautious if he has a weapon.  

Keep alert - Even though it will be difficult, try to pay attention to as many details as possible, so that you can identify your assailant.

Get help - Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Police are becoming more willing to help victims of rape. You are not obligated to press charges or go to court.  

Collect evidence - Do not bathe, shower, or douche. If you change clothes, put the clothes you were raped in into a bag and seal it.

Tell someone - Call the police, rape crisis counselor, telephone operator, friend. It is very important that someone knows and that it is not kept a secret.

·         Despite these many concerns, some now argue that it is actually safer to buy online than buying over the phone or handing your credit card over to someone in a shop. This is because if the online payment is handled properly your banking details will be "encrypted", which means they cannot be viewed by anyone other than those handling the transaction - usually the banks.

·         If you're still unsure, Card Watch, the UK banking group that works with the police and retailers to stop credit card fraud, offer the following "top ten tips" when buying online:

·         Make sure your web-browser (that's the software that you use to view websites, most commonly Internet Explorer or Netscape) is set to the highest level of security notification and monitoring. These options are not always automatically activated when your computer is set-up, so check your manual or the "Help" option.

·         Check you are using a recent version of your web-browser as they often include better security features - up-to-date versions can be downloaded free from the Microsoft or Netscape websites. If you have a different browser or use on-line services such as AOL or CompuServe, contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or software supplier to find out how to activate their security features.

·         Before purchasing from a website, make a record of the retailer's contact details, including a street address and landline phone number. If these details are not available on the website, consider going elsewhere to buy, do not rely on the e-mail address alone.

·         Do not enter personal details unless the security icon is displayed (this is a small padlock that normally appears at the bottom of your browser when you begin your transaction over the Internet). You can click on the padlock to see if the retailer has an encryption certificate. This should explain the type and extent of security and encryption it uses. Only use companies that have an encryption certificate and use secure transaction technology. The address of the page where you enter personal details should also start https://.

·         If you have any queries or concerns, telephone the company before giving them your card details to reassure yourself that it is legitimate.

·         Print out your order and consider keeping copies of the retailer's terms and conditions and returns policy. Be aware that there may well be additional charges such as postage and VAT. When buying from overseas always err on the side of caution and remember that it may be difficult to seek redress if problems arise.

·         Check statements from your bank or card issuer carefully as soon as you receive them. Raise any discrepancies with the retailer concerned in the first instance. If you find any transaction on your statement that you are certain you did not make, contact your card issuer immediately.

·         Ensure that you are fully aware of any payment commitments you are entering into, including whether you are instructing a single payment or a series of payments.

·         Never disclose your card's PIN number to anyone, including people claiming to be from your bank or the police, and never write it down or send it over the Internet.

·         If you have any doubts about using your card, find an