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SECURITY TIPS FOR EVERYONE

It has been said about self-defense training that fully half of what we learn is preventative, and we practice it in hopes of never having to use the other half.
--Joan Nelson--

All activities (driving a car, filling the bathtub, walking through the parking lot at night) entail some risk. We all have different attitudes toward risk. At one end of the scale is refusing to engage in an activity by exaggerating the risk involved. At the other end is engaging in very risky activities while refusing to take any precautions. Neither of these attitudes are useful for living an empowered life. What is useful is to accurately assess the risks involved, take whatever precautions make sense, and live as fully as possible. Following these guidelines will not guarantee your safety, but will minimize your availability to an assailant.

TRAVEL SAFETY

If know someone who you really trust, we mean REALLY trust... Ask them to house sit for you, while you are away. Make sure they are reliable and capable of doing so. Knowing your home is cared for and attended to, while traveling, provides peace of mind and excellent home security.
Make sure that your home is locked and all appliances are shut down before leaving for any length of time.
Time your lights in alternate rooms at various settings. Buy an extra timer and avoid just using one light at the same time, day in and day out. Set the lights in different rooms, at overlapping times.
Lock your garage and sheds.
If you have TRUSTED neighbors, let them know you are going and when you expect to return.
Ask them to keep an eye on your home and tend to your mail and newspaper.
Leave your family or trusted neighbor the capability to contact you in case of an emergency.
Avoid leaving your home looking unattended.
Have arrangements made for trash pick up and lawn care.
If you need to, have mail and newspaper delivery suspended for the duration of your trip. There is probably no better sign that a home is vacant than having mail and news papers piling up on the porch.
If you leave a car outside, arrange to have it moved every so often, by neighbors or family. It will give the impression that you are still coming and going.
Contact your local Police Department and ask them to give your home special attention when possible.
While traveling, use travelers checks and keep extra checks secured.
Carry a photocopy of all your identification and credit cards in case you lose something. At least you will be able to identify yourself if needed. You will also have a copy of all your important documents and numbers.
Make sure your accommodations are safe and clean. Use all the security features provided to you.
Use ALL door locks in your room.
Leave a TV on when you are out of your hotel room. Use the DO NOT DISTURB SIGN.
Do not use the "Please Clean" sign. It indicates that you are out of the room.
All reasonable lodging facilities will have a safe that you can keep extra checks, money or valuables in. Use them if needed.
Report any suspicious persons or activities to the desk personnel and ask them when something will be done about it. Check back to make sure it has.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Have a plan and be prepared to use it. Personal safety is your responsibility.
Be constantly mindful of who is around you. Keep your head up and your eyes moving.
Become "Street Smart". It is not an instinct. It is COMMON SENSE. When you feel uneasy about a person or situation be prepared to react, but try to avoid confrontation.
Always know where you are. Always know where you can find help. Become comfortable in your surroundings, but do not become lax in your approach to personal safety.
Walk close to curbs and away from doors and bushes.
Walk confidently with attitude. Portray confidence.
Do not feel bullied by people who look you in the eye. Look them in the eyes. Eye contact makes everyone somewhat uneasy. Use that to your advantage.
Do not let your purse bounce loosely over your shoulder and off your hip, as you walk. Carry it tucked under your arm, with any flaps facing your body. A fanny pack is a good alternative.
Always inspect your vehicle before entering. As you approach the vehicle from a distance, remember to look beneath it in case any predator is laying in wait.
Have your keys ready as you approach your car, office, or house.
If you ever have the feeling you are being followed, drive to a public place. Hospital emergency ramps, police stations, and well lighted gas stations are good places to go to for help.
Avoid private places. A criminals best weapon is anonymity. Denying privacy is your best defense.
Stay away from isolated ATM locations. Never stop at money machines during off hours. The best time to get your money is in the morning. Plan ahead so you can avoid having to use an ATM at odd hours.
Avoid drive-up cash machines. The majority of these machines are positioned so that the machine is between you and passing traffic. They are usually in the rear of the bank parking area, away from the road. This provides excellent "cover" for criminals.
If you absolutely have to use an ATM at an inopportune time, go to a well lit and attended gas station. Yes, it may cost an extra $1.50, but you can rest assured that you are making an investment in your personal safety.
Avoid isolated bus stops.
Stand right at the curb while waiting for your bus. Remain in the best line of sight for passing traffic.
Sit as close to the bus driver as you can. Refrain from ever sitting behind the rear door on a bus if at all possible. Rear doors make a quick and easy get away for criminals.
While in the office, make sure you lock your door even if you run out for a quick cup of coffee or to use the copy machine. Office larcenies (thefts) are very common.
Don't be predictable. Most people keep their purse in the bottom right drawer of the desk or on the hook behind the door. Lock your belongings inside the office if you are leaving.
If you are the victim of a crime and the perpetrator tries to order you into a car or take you anywhere, draw the line. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU EVER GO TO ANOTHER LOCATION. You have to accept the fact that you are putting yourself in extreme danger by going to secondary crime scene. DO NOT allow the criminal to take you to a place where they have more privacy. If fight or flee is ever an option, this is the point where it becomes advisable.
Be aware of any suspicious persons roaming your area. If someone enters your area of work immediately ask them what they are doing or who they are looking for. Ask them firmly, yet professionally if you can be of any assistance.
If something seems strange then it may be. Call the local Police department to report suspicious persons.

FRAUD TIPS

Phone solicitation is a popular annoyance. However, scam artists, are making big money from unsuspecting people who fall for illegitimate solicitation schemes.
Never assume that a friendly voice belongs to a trustworthy caller.
Never give out your credit card, social security, or checking account numbers, as well as any information about yourself, unless you are the initiating party.
Ask the caller to identify themselves and ask them what company they are with.
Never trust an unknown caller who tells you that you have won something, but asks you to send money first.
Never make arrangements to wire money or have someone pick up money from your home.
If you feel that there is something unsettling going on, hang up.
Consider putting a privacy management feature on your line to stop unwanted calls from reaching you.
When a legitimate tele-marketer calls, you have the right to order the removal of your name and number from their list. Tell them to remove you from the list and never call you again. Make sure they understand what you have ordered. By law, they are required to remove you from the list.
Check all unsolicited offers with your Better Business Bureau.
Make sure you keep a file of all your credit card statements, receipts and customer numbers. You may need them so you can verify any false charges made on your card.
If you lose your credit card call and cancel it immediately. The same is true for ATM cards.
Make sure you tell the operator to put a stop on all transactions made on the card. This will prohibit people from charging any new purchases to the card.
After you have notified the credit card company to remove validation of the card, you need to make sure that you contact a credit bureau. Criminals can open new accounts using the credit card number that exists on your credit record. By contacting these bureaus you can have a fraud stamp on your report, to protect you. The numbers are listed at the bottom of this page.
Maintain privacy while conducting business. If you are being asked for information that you are uncomfortable giving out, do not provide it.
Make sure you maintain secure interactions on the computer and especially the Internet.
Never give out your password to any one posing as a network administrator of any sort.
Shopping on-line has grown increasingly popular and much safer in recent years. However, make sure the sites you shop on use the latest encryption technology to secure your user information, credit card numbers, and personal information.
It is also a good idea to have your own credit history checked periodically from a Credit Bureau. They sometimes charge a small fee for this service but it is well worth it for your piece of mind. A yearly credit check is all that is usually necessary.
Don't take it for granted that the Credit Bureaus never make mistakes. If you notice a mistake on your credit report contact the Credit Bureau immediately to have it corrected. It could make a difference the next time you go to your bank or loan agency for a loan.

Toll Free Credit Bureau Telephone Numbers:

Experian call 1-888-397-3742

Equifax call 1-800-525-6285

Transunion call 1-800-680-7289

All "Safety Tips" courtesy of Wayne State University Police Department

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