"SNOWBIRD" TIPS:
With the arrival of fall, many residents in
Mendota Heights and surrounding communities begin to make plans to head
south for the winter. As you prepare for these extended vacations, it
is important to make your home’s security a priority to ensure your home
will be safe and secure while your gone.
There are several simple things you can do to minimize your chances
of becoming a victim of burglary. The most important thing to do is
keep a “lived-in” look in your house by doing the following:
1.
Utilize timer lights inside your home.
2.
Install outdoor lights with photo cells (which will come on at
dusk and go off at dawn) or motion activated lighting.
3.
Stop mail and papers so they do not pile up outside of your
residence.
4.
Make arrangements to have snow cleared from your driveway &
walkway.
5.
Ask a neighbor, family member or friend to periodically stop by
your residence, especially during the winter months, to make tracks on
your walkway and driveway between snow removals.
6.
If you have a security system, remember to use it. Security
systems are a great tool for notifying the police, and you, if someone
attempts to break into your home. Furthermore, make sure you advertise
the fact that you have an alarm system. This is a good deterrent for
burglars who may be cruising your area looking for an easy target.
You should also remember to do the
following:
1.
Make sure all windows are secured and
locked.
2.
Place a board or stick in all sliding glass
doors to make them more secure.
3.
Use all locks on doors, including
deadbolts.
4.
Disconnect or unplug your overhead garage
doors and utilize the locks that most overhead garage doors are equipped
with.
5.
Notify neighbors you trust that you are
leaving. Request that they watch for any suspicious persons or
activities at or around your home and to immediately report them to the
police department.
You may also come to the Mendota Heights Police Department, located
at 1101 Victoria Curve, and notify us of your vacation time frame. You
may also telephone the police department at 651-452-1366 and relay the
information to the clerical staff. Officers will then periodically
check your residence during your absence.
If you have never been the victim of a burglary or any type of
theft, it is easy to think it will never happen to you. Remember that
burglars look for easy targets and homes where they can get in and out
quickly and can take items of value without getting caught. If you fail
to follow some of the basic crime prevention tips, you may be indirectly
inviting thieves into your home.
If you have any additional questions about how to make your home safe
prior to leaving for extended periods of time, please do not hesitate to
contact the Mendota Heights Police Department at 651-452-1366.
IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft is on the rise in our community, as well as nationwide.
It occurs when someone wrongfully uses your personal identification to
obtain credit, loans, services, even rentals and mortgages in your name.
These thieves may even commit crimes while impersonating you with your
stolen identity and identification. The following tips can help you
protect your privacy while minimizing your chances of becoming a victim
of identity theft:
1. Buy a cross cut shredder and shred all
your pre-approved credit card offers and all of your credit card
receipts.
2. NEVER throw anything away that could give a potential thief
information to become you, such as loan papers, bank statements, copies
of bills or accounts that include personal information. All of these
type items should be shredded prior to placing them in the trash.
3. NEVER have your checks delivered to your home in the mail. ALWAYS
have them delivered to the bank where you can pick them up in person.
4. NEVER place checks in the mail from your home mailbox. ALWAYS drop
them off at a U.S. Mailbox or a U.S. Post Office. This will minimize the
possibility of having your mail stolen for purposes of obtaining your
personal information, signature and account numbers.
5. Cancel any credit cards that you don't use or haven't used in the
previous 6 months.
6. Put passwords on all your accounts. Do not use your mothers maiden
name, make up a fictitious word.
7. Empty your wallet of any extra credit cards, your social security
card , birth certificate and passports unless it is necessary for you to
have them for your particular outing.
8. Memorize your social security number and any passwords. Never write
these numbers down or carry them with you.
9. Obtain credit cards and business cards with your picture on them.
10. DO NOT put your telephone numbers, drivers license numbers or social
security numbers on your checks. If a retailer needs your drivers
license number they will have to ask for your picture identification.
11. NEVER give out personal information on the phone to someone who
calls you that you do not know. If it is a credit grantor of yours, call
them back at a number you can verify and provide only the information
you feel is absolutely necessary.
12. If your school or employer or any other institutional I.D. requires
you to use your social security number, ask that an alternate I.D.
number be used.
13. Monitor all your bank statements and credit card statements every
month. If you notice an unauthorized activity contact your credit
grantor immediately to verify the activity.
14. Order your credit report twice a year and review it carefully. If
you see any fraudulent activity, immediately put a fraud alert on your
reports by calling the following Credit Reporting Agencies:
*Experian (800) 353-0809
*Equifax (800) 567-8688
*Trans Union (800) 680-7293
15. You can also call the above agencies and request your name be taken
off of any promotional lists.
16. NEVER leave purses, wallets or any personal information in your
vehicle when it is unoccupied. It takes a thief only seconds to break
into your car and take your wallet or purse which gives him/her
everything it takes to take your identity and make your life miserable!
17. Make a list of all your account numbers and the phone numbers to
each of these institutions and keep the list in a safe place. Do not
store this information on your hard drive if you are connected to the
internet.
**ALWAYS BE SMART, CAUTIOUS and follow these tips. By doing this you
will minimize your chance of having your identity stolen!
Click here to view a printable version of the Mendota
Heights Police "Identity Theft Resource" form.
