In order to help protect yourself and your belongings from theft, the Beaver Police Department encourages you to read and adopt the following tips.
When leaving your residence for any period of time do not announce on social media that you will not be home. Wait to post your vacation pictures on social media sites until you return home. The police department has a vacation watch service where you can notify the police of dates that you will be gone so that officers can make extra patrols. Take a walk around your residence to see where your property maybe vulnerable to a break-in.
- ALWAYS lock your doors and windows.
- Always lock your vehicles and remove all valuable and personal items.
- Leave interior and exterior lights on when you go away.
- If possible install motion sensor lights outside your home and out of reach so they cannot be tampered with.
- Be vigilant. If you suspect suspicious activity around your home, your neighbors’ homes, or in your neighborhood, please report it to the Beaver Police Department immediately by calling (724) 773-6709 or 911 for an emergency.
- Document purchased items both inside and outside of your residence. For example make note of serial numbers of all electronics and take pictures of all valuables and keep in a safe place.
Here are a few tips to help you stay ahead of the game and not fall victim to a scam.
Spot imposters:
Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, friend, charity organization or family member. Don’t send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request regardless if it comes in the form of text, phone call, or email.
Don’t believe your caller ID.
Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information, so the name and number you see aren’t always real. If someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. If you think the caller might be telling the truth, call back to a number you know is genuine.
Be aware of IRS scams.
Remember the IRS will never call you by telephone or email you. Before you give up your money or personal information, talk to someone you trust. Contact police. Con artists want you to make decisions in a hurry. They might even threaten you. Slow down, check out the story.
Consider how you pay.
Credit cards have significant fraud protection built in, but some payment methods don’t. Wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram is risky because it’s nearly impossible to get your money back.
Hang up on automatic dialer calls. If you answer the phone and hear a a recorded voice or message, hang up and report it to the Federal Trade Commission. These calls are illegal, and often the products are bogus. Don’t press 1 to speak to a person or to be taken off the list. That could lead to more calls.
Don’t deposit a check and wire money back to anyone.
If a check you deposit turns out to be a fake, you’re responsible for repaying the bank. A bank or credit union may not receive notification that a check is not valid or “fake” for several weeks.
If you spot a scam or have fallen victim to a scam please notify the Beaver Police Department to file a report. In most cases you will need a police report to accompany claims filed with the FTC as well as banks and credit unions.
