FOR YOUR SECURITY: #150      Why You Should Lock Your Car Door Manually

There is a device that robbers are using now to clone your security code when you lock your doors on your car using your key-chain locking device.

They sit a distance away and watch for their next victim. They know you are going into a store, restaurant, or bathroom and have only a few minutes to steal and run. One police officer says to manually lock your car door, by hitting the lock button inside the car, that way if there is someone sitting in a parking lot watching for their next victim it will not be you.

When you hit the lock button on your car upon exiting, it does not send the security code. But if you walk away and use the door lock on your key chain. it sends the code through the airwaves where it can be stolen.

 

FOR YOUR SECURITY: #149      Telephone "Service Technician" Code?  Beware!

Glen Johnson writes: 

“A friend received a telephone call from a man identifying himself as an AT&T service technician who was conducting a test on telephone lines.  The caller stated that to complete his test, my friend should  touch nine-zero and the # key and hang up.  My friend got suspicious and did not comply.

Upon checking with the telephone company, my friend learned that pushing 90# gives a caller full access to the line, and allows his calls to be billed to it.  This scam is typically used by inmates in jails and prisons.”  Beware!

 

FOR YOUR SECURITY: #142      CarJack Story

A woman stopped at a pay-at-the-pump gas station to get gas. As she started to leave after paying at the pump, the  voice of the attendant  came over a speaker: He told her that there was a problem  with her card and that she needed to come inside to pay.

 She explained to the attendant that the transaction had been approved electronically,  but he insisted that she come into the office or there’d be trouble.

When  inside, she was told that while she was pumping gas, the attendant had seen a man slip into the back seat of her car away from her view. The police had already been called. At that point, the woman looked out in time to see her car door open and a man run away.

Police reports theorize that this was a gang initiation ritual for a new member who was challenged to kidnap a woman and/or steal her car.

  1. Always lock your car doors, even if you’re gone for just a second!

  2. Check underneath your car when approaching its parking place, and check in the back before getting in.

  3. Always be aware of your surroundings and of other individuals in your general vicinity, particularly at night!

 

FOR YOUR SECURITY: #138      Beware the Curb Painters

Glen Johnson writes:   There are variations in the curb painting scam, but the most dangerous is the one where a person knocks on your door offering to paint or renew your house number on the curb then he or she requests step out to the street to discuss the matter.  An accomplice then sneaks into your house. usually through an unlocked door or sliding door and quickly snatches your purse and other valuables. (Never invite strangers into your home to discuss curb painting or other repairs.)

Another curb painting wrinkle:  A solicitor will quote a low price ($15) but will ask for a check or cash, claiming the painter is on the job nearby and will be along shortly.  Of course, he never shows up.  (The check may be requested to be payable to “CAS,” which is later altered to read “CASH.”)

Be wary  of door-to-door painters.   Ask for evidence of city licenses, and even then, call the city for verification.  Never give personal information such as Social Security  numbers, and if a solicitor  acts suspiciously, make a note of his description and vehicle license, and call the police.

 

FOR YOUR SECURITY: #137       Do Not Press 0, 9, #, For Anyone !

Glen Johnson writes:  If you receive a telephone call from a “technician” conducting a “test,” stating that to complete the test you should touch “9,” then “0,” then “#” and then hang up, DO NOT follow these instructions.  Just hang up.

AT&T  advises that if you comply, the requesting party has access to your telephone line so that he can place long distance calls that will be billed to your number.  This scam is currently being played by jail inmates.

You can call 411 to confirm this information.

 

FOR YOUR SECURITY: #136       How to get out of Dodge (or Chevy)

If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home from your cell phone. Hold you cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at home press the key-fob unlock button while holding the key-fob near the phone on their end.  Your car doors will unlock, and savings someone having to drive your extra keys to you.  Distance is no object; even hundreds of miles away you can unlock the doors (or the car trunk) by reaching someone who has the other remote for you car.

 

FOR YOUR SECURITY: #135         Parking Lot Security for Yourself

Glen Johnson writes:  You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside, start the engine, shift into reverse, and when you look in your rear view mirror to back out, you notice a flyer in the rear window. So you get out of the car to remove the paper without shutting off the engine, and that's when a carjacker comes out of hiding and speeds away with your car as you just stand there!  Now the thief has your car, your keys, and any valuables such as a purse or briefcase you left inside.

If you notice a piece of paper or flyer on your rear window, best leave it there until you either get back home or drive to a safe location before you remove it.

 

FOR YOUR SECURITY: #134                 Telephone Area-Codes (Warning!)

     Glen Johnson writes:  "Here is another article for the Roundup which I believe is important information for the members.     "If you receive an Email or telephone message asking you to call an area code 809, 284, or 876, DO NOT RESPOND to the message!

    "809 is the  British Virgin Islands and you can be charged $2,425.00 per minute for answering this call. It is a scam being currently performed all over the U.S.  Since 809 is not in the U.S., it is not covered by U.S. regulations, and fighting the charges can be a real nightmare!" says Glen.