Crime Safety Tips

Bullying

Don't leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends
Don't leave your purse and/or wallet in unattended vehicles
Deposit outgoing mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes
Shred unwanted documents that contain personal information
Put your trash out on the day that it is collected
Review your consumer credit report annually
Report lost or stolen credit cards to the issuer immediately
Destroy expired/old credit cards and drivers licenses
Memorize your Social Security number and passwords.
Don't list your Social Security number on your checks
Match credit card receipts against monthly bills
Check your financial statements for accuracy
Always safeguard birth certificates, credit history reports, and any statements that contain personal information

Make a police report: Give the officer as much information on the theft as possible: How the fraud was discovered, activity to date of fraud (in chronological order), affected accounts and losses, and any information about how the imposter got your information.
Cancel any fraudulent or compromised accounts: Immediately close and dispute any new, unauthorized accounts. The FTC has prepared an "ID theft affidavit" that is accepted by many banks and creditors at the Federal Trade Commission.
Notify Credit Bureaus: Contact one of the three credit bureaus to report the theft. When contacted, the credit bureaus will put a "fraud alert" on your credit report to prevent any further fraudulent accounts from being opened. As soon as one of the credit bureaus places a fraud alert, the other two bureaus are automatically notified to do the same and you should receive a free credit report from all three bureaus.
Review your credit reports carefully: Look for changes in old accounts and look for newly opened accounts. Check your name, address and Social Security number for any changes. Have the credit agencies remove all information in your credit report that results from the theft. Order new credit reports every three months until your situation is cleared up.

Install antivirus and firewall software on your computer
Search only trusted websites
Use caution when purchasing merchandise online, and make sure the site is secure
Do not open email attachments from someone you do not know
Be mindful that banking institutions will not ask for your personal information through an email
Do not post your date of birth, home address and other identifying information online for complete strangers to see
Keep your computer in a central location, so you can see what sites your children are on
Establish rules/guidelines for your children to follow while they are online

Park in lots with plenty of lighting during the hours of darkness
Do not leave valuables in plain sight of others including accessories to electronic devices
Make sure packages recently purchased are stored in the trunk of your car
Do not leave wallets or purses lying in the car in plain sight

Lock your doors even if you are only running out to do a short errand
Make sure your doors have a deadbolt
Keep your garage doors closed even if you are at home
Keep your windows locked, or have the safety latches engaged
Do not place a note on your door informing someone you are away
Make sure your home has sufficient exterior lighting for nighttime hours
Install motion sensitive lighting
Keep your house address numbers visible for emergency responders
Keep ladders in your garage, or locked tool shed so they are not accessible to a burglar
Invest in an alarm system
If a new appliance was purchased, such as a new television or home theater system, avoid placing the empty box outside where it is visible to others
While vacationing, ask a trusted neighbor or family member to watch your home and pick up mail or newspapers