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Don’t make your vacation a holiday for thieves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It is summertime and several things are certain:
People will go on vacation, They will spend in gas the equivalent of what an old pickup truck cost in 1962. They will swear they will never go to Disney again in this heat, never stay on the 25th floor of an old condo tower in Panama City Beach. (The old elevators are really slow,) and they will surely max out the credit cards again.
This is prime time for stealing and with the rise of identity theft crimes, there’s no reason to think they won’t be lurking somewhere close to you.
How do thieves steal an identity?
Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information such as your name and Social Security number, credit card numbers or other financial account information. For identity thieves, this information is as good as gold.
Skilled identity thieves may use a variety of methods to get hold of your information, including: 1. Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it. 2. Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card. 3. Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information. 4. Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form. 5. Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access. 6. Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources.
What we see in Sandy Springs is a little of everything but a lot of number 5: Good old-fashion stealing!
Here’s the scenario: Shopper goes to the grocery store and leaves the purse open in the “steal-me” position of the shopping cart.
The perp or perps walk by and many times one will distract and the other will take the wallet. Within one hour, the card is used now days first for gas and then for life’s critical necessities such as iPods or other electronic goodies. By the time you find it and call that number to report it stolen, it has already been used in most cases.
This is probably the most direct affect a thief will have on you while you’re on vacation.
The other categories are things that you should do as a rule to put you in that smaller percentile of would-be victims.
With credit cards, when they are compromised, you have the option of informing the credit card company that you are disputing the charge. With debit and check cards they can wipe out your account. I would stay with the credit cards simply for that option in case something happens.
The Bottom Line: Just pay attention to what you’re doing. All you can do is lower the percentages in your favor. Your card number is out there and the fact is someone could use it. Your goal is to lower the opportunity.
Now, what about those of you left behind? Keep in mind that most burglars will hit during the day.
If, however, they know someone is gone, they would prefer to hit at night so for you neighbors left behind, keep a good eye and call the police if you see anything at all suspicious. For instance during the day, if a car is in the driveway that shouldn’t be there, call. At night, same scenario and listen for the dogs. You would be surprised how many arrests we make just checking out suspicious circumstances.
At Home: Don’t forget to tidy up at home before you leave. Ask your neighbors, the ones you like and trust, not the guy you found out was on the sex-offender list or the ones that wear black robes and paint their fingernails all the time—no, not those.
Have the mail picked up by a neighbor, not the post office. Why advertise? Have the paper picked up. I would get the motion sensors for the outside floods. They’re cheap and you can get them at the hardware store.
Get timers on the inside lights. None of this stuff is hard to install. Don’t use that as an excuse. Many cities have house check forms so the cops will drive by when you’re gone. Check and see. Have your neighbors (again, not the ones listed above) park a car in the driveway occasionally to give it that lived-in look.
Make sure the alarm is on and the deer cameras are set. Deer cameras? Why not? Someone breaks the motion area and you get a picture of that person or thing.
There are a lot more things you can do but do what you can and then go and enjoy the vacation—and, get some SPF-30 lobster boy!
Comments
By Stand up
June 2, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Credit cards? Have you ever noticed how the higher the credit limit, the more radioactive the metal the card is named for?
First, there was the silver card. About a grand. Then the gold, about 5 G’s. Then platinum, then titanium, for over 100G’s in credit limits!!! What’s next?
Introducing…..the Uranium 235 card! Yes, the Uranium 235 card. Comes with it’s own lead-lined wallet! Give yourself a dental xray. Give your wife a mammogram! Give that nasty waiter radiation burns.
Yes, the Uranium 235 card. Your credit’s half life will last 40 thousand freakin years.
Special Isotopes available in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Void where prohibited by Greenpeace Vigilantes.
By JJ
June 2, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
I have a neighbor who comes in and takes care of my cats, dogs, newspapers & mail. They turn on different lights at night. The flood lights around the house are on too, and they have motion sensors. They are so bright, airplanes have tried to land in the back yard…..The blinds are also opened and closed to give the house that lived in feeling.
By reader
June 2, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
A few weeks ago, our neighbors went out for two hours, early on a Sat. evening…a good part of that time during daylight. Within that time frame, their home was burglarized. They live along the main drag of the n’hood…lots of cars passing by & people walking. The thieves broke in thru the front door. Big items were taken, electronics, TVs, computers, etc., and no one saw anything unusual. People are observant, however, this couple, who keep to themselves, has people coming and going all of the time. It pays to be a little friendly with your neighbors—-so that they know who belongs and, more importantly, who does not.
By missandie
June 2, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Every time Steve does this list, I am reminded of those who ride Marta to the airport with luggage tags clearly displaying their address for all to see. A perfect target for chatting up and determining how long said travelers will be out of town. Plenty of time to case the home and choose the perfect time to rob them blind!
Remember, not all thieves appear shifty and malcontent!
By Stand up
June 2, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
Property Protection 101: All thieves are thievin’ scum. Remember that, and you’ll never get robbed. Also, it’s important to realize that all yellow cowards have yellow bellies and they’re probably yankee scum.
There’s controversy about this next point, but most experts agree that “a-hole” is an overused term that has no meaning any more. It used to be quite a verbal punch to the gut, (to be called an a-hole). But behaviorists have realized that men and women have moved on, and they seldom act like a-holes anymore at all. Now they all act like p-holes.
So, I’d like to admonish the p-holes on this blog to stfu.
morons.
By ElBubba
June 2, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
I have a sort of karma protection thing going on, people don’t steal from me.
By tina
June 3, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
I am going on vacation next month. come on and try to get in if you got the nerve. I have trigger happy grandparents who NEVER leave the house. so if you make it in, duck, a shot gun will be pointed at your head. and grandpa and grandpa were both marksmen in the marines. those old geezers will airate you.
By laska
June 3, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
ElBubba- my sister thought she had karma protection, too, until someone stole her 10 year old car out of her driveway.
By The truth about cops
June 3, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
yeah, be sure to take your own measures to secure your house, because the cops won’t be available to help you. Their too busy pounding double whoppers and dolling out mickey mouse traffic tickets to actually protect and serve.
By Bob in Sandy Springs
June 3, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Hey Mr. Truth….
Sorry you got a ticket for running a stop sign because you were using your cellphone!!!!!
By jimbo
June 3, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Cops can’t be everywhere, especially with Shirley Franklin trying to cover her overspending by cutting police services..
Most problems with crime can be nipped in the bud by simple awareness.
By Cassie
June 3, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
No, they can’t be everywhere, because they have to be taking noise readings in my neighborhood because of the new arena!
By Leftist Pete
June 3, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Credit cards? Have you ever noticed how the higher the credit limit, the more radioactive the metal the card is named for?
First, there was the silver card. About a grand. Then the gold, about 5 G’s. Then platinum, then titanium, for over 100G’s in credit limits!!! What’s next?
Introducing…..the Uranium 235 card! Yes, the Uranium 235 card. Comes with it’s own lead-lined wallet! Give yourself a dental xray. Give your wife a mammogram! Give that nasty waiter radiation burns.
Yes, the Uranium 235 card. Your credit’s half life will last 40 thousand freakin years.
Special Isotopes available in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Void where prohibited by Greenpeace Vigilantes
buwaaa!
By Leftist Pete
June 3, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
A thief would have a hard time stealing my identity. How could a thief steal my identity when I dont know who I am? It cant be me cause I’m not that guy. I’m not any guy. If a thief wants to find out who I am, he’ll be looking a long time. He wont know where I’ve been cause I’ve never been there. (jackie mason after he read steve rose today) How can I know…I dont know who’s he…he’s who…..OH SHUT UP, JACKIE WE GET THE BIT!!!
By Political Foreskin
June 3, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
CNN just reported that a bear was found dead on I-75 in Cobb County. About 50 feet from the bear was a smashed unicycle, the bear apparently escaped from a circus. Witnesses said the bear was refusing to yield and insisting on his right of way in the bicycle lane he thought was the HOV lane.
The motorist did not stop.
By ElBubba
June 3, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
I like the deer-camera idea.
By Cassie
June 4, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Although maybe we should install bear cameras instead.
I didn’t realize that the DNR reported a record bear kill last year.
Guess the drought wasn’t as bad as we thought.
By BossLady
June 4, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this
There were some young people coming around the neighborhood claiming they were Kirby vacuum salepeople.
They look like some crack and meth head fools. I suggested to them that maybe they should get off my property and be sure that they not get hurt.
By Cassie
June 4, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
One small observation:
If you run through the mall in camo, with a SHOTGUN, and your getaway is a Pontiac Bonneville…dude…are you stupid or what???
Who robs a mall in broad daylight?
There aren’t any apples in someones tree…that much is certain.
By Northern Gal
June 4, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
To Stand Up: “You think most thieves are “Yankee Scum”??? Do you honestly believe the educated folks from the North are moving to South Atlanta?? Don’t be an idiot.
By Fred
June 5, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this
Northern Gal, YOU are the idiot. You moved here didn’t you? In fact, if you were to be honest (which you won’t be because you are a Yankee) you would have to admit that you know FEW people here in Atlanta that were born and raised here. All you know is damn Yankees who came here because everything up north sucks. I 75 runs North too, take it that ways you ignorant a*. You indicted yourself with your own stupid yankee words. Here is your sign.
Speaking of ignorant asses, I am one because I am clueless as to what a p-hole is. I think I’m glad of my ignorance in that area. Musta been a damn yankee that typed that………..
Cassie: Thank you. If I ever drive up north to Duluth to watch that Minor League baseball team (for the same price and twice the distance I could go to watch the MAJOR league team)I will remember that your duly elected officials lined their pockets to spend YOUR tax money for MY enjoyment. Remember, YOU elected these hosebags so like Clayton County, you get what you deserve.
By Stone
June 5, 2008 5:40 AM | Link to this
I’ve had the pleasure of having lived all over this great country and found the Atl. area the most appealing due to weather, jobs, and people. When I was up north, it amused me the way people would speak about southerners as if they all were the same, just a bunch of ignorant hicks. I now find it amusing that I hear the disdain for those “yankees” from up north all the time from the people who live around here, as if all northerners are rude and abrasive. I’m niether a yankee or a southerner, but an American, proud of this country and it’s rich diversity. It’s way past the time to stop talking about “those people” isn’t it? Nobody owns this region and no one has the right to tell another American to go back to where they came from. This is a big country and people should live where they want.
By Cassie
June 5, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Why would anyone drive to Duluth?
By Stone
June 5, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
Answer- to get to Johns Creek.
By Fred
June 5, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
Isn’t Dultuth where the new minor league baseball palace that the kind residents are buying for the billionaire owners of the Braves is going to be?
Stone: The only thing worse than a Damn Yankee is a dirty nasty leg. If you don’t know what a dirty nasty leg is then ask a buddy who has put their knees to the breeze at 1250, I’m sure you have one that has.
By brain lara
July 19, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this
Vacations or holidays requires enjoyment. We should not do any type of illegal work in the vacation
Brian Lara Addiction Recovery New Hampshire
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