Auto Theft Prevention

No vehicle is 100% theft-proof. But by taking precautionary measures, you can minimize your chances of becoming the victim of auto theft. Auto theft prevention starts with you! Please follow the below listed tips to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of auto theft. 

 Vehicle Theft Prevention Tips: 

• Never Leave Your Vehicle Keys In The Ignition Or Inside Your Vehicle. 

• Never Leave Your Car Running When Unattended...Even For A Minute! Vehicles are commonly stolen at convenience stores, gas stations, daycares, etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner leaves the vehicle running to warm up. Leaving your key in an unattended motor vehicle is a crime in some states. 

• Always Lock Your Vehicle Doors.

• Never Hide A Second Set Of Keys Inside Your Vehicle -- Thieves know all of the hiding places. 

• Park In Well-lit Areas. 

• When Possible, Park In Attended Lots Where There Is More Potential For Witnesses. 

• Completely Close Car Windows When Parked. Don’t make it easier for the thief. 

• Don’t Leave Valuables In Plain View. Why make your vehicle a more desirable target to thieves. 

• If You Have A Garage, Use It. If you do not have a garage, park as legally close as possible to your house (not on lawn). 

• When Parking In A Garage, Lock The Garage Door And Your Vehicle. 

• Don’t Leave The Vehicle Title Inside -- this makes it easy for the thief to resell. 

• Use Some Form of Visible Locking Device For The Steering Wheel or Audible Alarm System. 

• If Your Vehicle Will Be Unattended For A Long Period, Make It Inoperable. 

• Engrave Expensive Accessories With A Personal Identification Number Or Your Name. This makes it easier for police to identify your stolen car stereo, cellular phone, etc… and harder for thieves to dispose of them. 

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious crime that can have lifelong consequences. It occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your knowledge to commit fraud or some other type of crime. In addition to the financial burden identity theft causes, it can wreck an individual’s reputation with lenders, financial institutions and businesses. 

How it Happens

• Dumpster diving or rummaging through your garbage

• Skimming or stealing your credit card information when processing your card

• phishing or unsolicited emails or pop-ups from banks or credit cards that ask you to click on a link to verify your information or your account will be disabled

• Hacking or breaking into your email or other online accounts that contain personal or an institution’s records

• Theft or simply stealing your wallet or purse, pre-approved credit card offers, checks, tax information or personal records from employers

Detection

• Check your bank and credit card statements

• Be alert when bills do not arrive as scheduled

• Credit gets denies without reason

• You Receive calls or mailings about purchases you did not make

• Inspect your credit reports from each of the reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion

• Inspect credit reports on your children, regardless of their age

• Visit AnnualCreditReport.com or call 877-322-8228 to receive your free credit report

• If you find errors on your credit report, contact the credit agency

• Visit ftc.gov/idtheft to learn how to correct errors on your credit report

Prevention

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information

• Don’t carry your social security card with you, and only give it out when needed

• Don’t give out personal information over the phone, through the mail or Internet unless you know who you’re dealing with

• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails, instead type in the web address of a site you trust

• Install and utilize software security: antivirus software, firewalls, content blockers, etc.

• Avoid obvious passwords, such as your birthday or mother’s maiden name

• Store your personal information in a safe place, like a safe or safety deposit box

Report

• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports

• Experian: 888-397-3742, TransUnion: 800-680-7289,
  Equifax: 800-525-6285

• Close your accounts immediately

• Contact the credit agencies where the accounts were opened and verify the discrepancy has been dealt with and keep copies

• File a police report

• Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/idtheft, 877-438-4338, TTY 866-653-4261 or
  Identity Theft Clearinghouse,
  Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580

To download Identity Theft Prevention and Reporting pamphlets, click on the links below

Identity Theft Prevention - Spanish

Identity Theft Affidavit

Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers 

Scams

Here are some of the more common scams that we see and hear of in the community.  The one common thing to remember is NEVER send money to someone unless you are 100% sure who it is.  Also, do not purchase prepaid green dot cards, visa cards, etc.  Once you send that money, it's gone.  Contact us for more information.  

Mid American Energy Scam

Tax (IRS) Scam

Craigslist/EBAY Scam

International Lottery Scams

Tech Support Scam

Money Mule Scam

National Elder Fraud Hotline

Theft from Motor Vehicle Prevention

Thefts from motor vehicles are reported to the police department every week and remains, year after year, one of the most frequently occurring crimes in the United States. Most are crimes of opportunity through unlocked doors and open windows. Vehicles are easy targets and often contain property attractive to thieves. Large parking lot locations like shopping centers, housing communities, parks, and schools are prime targets for a theft since multiple vehicles can be hit in a short time span. A theft from a vehicle may leave you with the inconvenience of re-placing property, making reports to your insurance company and the police, repairing damage to your vehicle, and the frustration of losing your valuables. Use these easy and inexpensive tips to reduce your risk of becoming a victim. 

Parking & Securing Your Vehicle: 

• Use a garage or secure location whenever possible.

• Park in well-lit areas where your car can be seen.

• Avoid isolated areas. Park near locations frequently used by pedestrians.

• If you hear something suspicious (shattering glass) or see someone looking into vehicles, call 911.

• Roll up the windows and lock all doors.

• Never leave your keys anywhere in or on the car.

• Secure the trunk, hatches, bed-mounting tool boxes, and canopies.

• Activate your alarm. Install anti-theft devices.

Tips:

• Lock your doors & windows. These are crimes of opportunity! 

• Remove your personal property. “Put your junk in the trunk!” 

• Use anti-theft devices. 

Anti-Theft Devices:

Car alarms are convenient and effective. Install switches to interrupt the fuel supply. Locking gas caps deter fuel from being siphoned.