Reducing Identity Crime

Recent years have seen a huge growth in identity theft. This crime on a global scale and anyone who uses the internet is a “potential” victim, especially if they use “plastic” for their transactions.

Information that is useful to internet thieves includes your name, date of birth, address, bank and credit card details and also Nation Insurance number.

If these details are discovered they can easily be used to open bank accounts or obtain credit cards, loans or even goods in your name.

Also it’s often the case that the particular individual is totally unaware of this until well after the crime against them has been committed.

Here are a few helpful tips that may help:
• Keep your personal documents in a safe, lockable place
• Take extra care with things like share documents
• Shred unwanted documents such as old bills, bank statements, or personalized junk mail
• If your passport, driving licence or other important documents are lost or stolen report it immediately
• Cancel lost or stolen cards straight away
• Check your bank and credit card statements carefully and report any suspicious transactions to your bank

Passwords and personal Identification Numbers (PIN):
• Never give personal account details, or passwords, to anyone who contacts you by phone, even if they claim to be from your bank
• A bank will never ask for your full password or PIN
• Use different accounts and PINs for different accounts
• Try not to use obvious passwords, such as your date of birth, or your mother’s maiden name
• Memories passwords and PINs if possible
• Try to avoid written copies of them
• Never keep a copy of your password or PIN in your purse or wallet

Online Security:
• Use security passwords whenever possible and try to change them regularly
• Keep up to date security software and a personal firewall on your computer
• Be wary of unsolicited emails
• If you receive a suspicious email asking for personal details do not respond
• Visit www.banksafeonline.org.uk for further advice
• Conduct transactions with secure websites only
• Never use public computers to access personal information

Mailing Lists:
• Wherever possible remove your name from mailing lists
• When moving house immediately inform your bank, your card issuers any other organizations of your new address
• Arrange Royal Mail to redirect your mail for at least a year
• Request a regular copy of your personal credit file from a credit reference agency
• This will indicate if someone has tried to apply for credit in your name

Staying and feeling safe isn’t just about personal security…

Crime isn’t just a fear of physical assault it’s also the pyschological fear and trauma if anyone should burgle your home or your property, and even if you’ve taken sensible precautions in the home what about the garden?

Equipment kept in a garden shed is just as tempting (and is sometimes used to actually break into a house). Many homes are alarmed and secured but often garages and sheds are left unsecured and offer “easy pickings”.

Here’s a few tips and advice that could deter potential intruders and keep your property and “peace of mind” secure.

Sheds garages and outbuildings:
• Use good quality locks to secure shed and garage doors
• To prevent unscrewing of door hinges use anti tamper screws or spread hard setting glue on the screw heads
• Lock windows or fit internal bars or grilles
• Fit a mains or battery powered shed alarm

Tools and equipment:
• Security mark all valuable tools with your postcode and house number which will make them less attractive to a thief
• Secure lawnmowers and other valuable equipment to a wall
• Lock away tools when not being used
• Register valuable equipment at www.immobilise.com
• Take photographs and take notes of make serial numbers
• Fit a wire cage for storing expensive items in your shed or garage

The Garden:
• Lay crunchy gravel, thieves hate making a noise
• Wheelie bins could be used to climb or take away property, so try to secure it with a padlock away from drainpipes and accessible windows
• Secure the perimeter of your garden, a good option is trellis fencing which is hard to climb over
• Use lighting as a deterrent
• Install low wattage lighting that comes on automatically
• Locate the lights so they don’t cause deep shadows anywhere
• Protect drainpipes with anti climb paint
• Plant prickly bushes and shrubs next to walls and fences

Stress, Fear, Anxiety and why I don't believe in Self Defence!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUQteyqX_k

For men and women, with the prime directive being self defence through AVOIDANCE and AWARENESS, although I do show you a few “funky” moves which you can use that require no special technique and definitely no excessive strength, that ANY PERSON can use if they should find themselves trapped.

The best way to cut the risk of attack and increase security is by improving confidence and taking sensible precautions.

BOOK YOUR COMPANY EVENT TODAY ON FREEPHONE +44 (0)800 612 3461

Motorbike Theft

Like car crime, most motorbike crime is opportunistic and therefore preventable to a certain extent.

By following these safety tips you can try to minimize the risk that your motorbike will be stolen and you becoming just another victim of crime!

• Never compromise and always fit an alarm

• Always lock your bike and set your alarm

• Not always possible I know, especially in Central London, but when leaving your bike for a long period of time try to lock it to something secure

• If there is nothing secure in the ground “daisy chain” your lock and chain with the bike next to yours

• Mark your bike with its vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

• As an added deterrent add some kind of “sold secure” front disc lock or chain

• Buy a “tracker” and have it fitted professionally

• Don’t leave items such as helmets with your bike

• Use a bike cover

• When in City areas try to use a secure SUPERVISED parking area i.e. NCP etc

• At home always lock your bike in the garage overnight and make sure it’s also alarmed

• If you don’t have a garage make sure it’s securely anchored to something solid and within sight

• Use a motorbike cover

And alternatively if you’re still worried, leave the expensive bike at home and get yourself a “twist and go” scooter!

Reducing Vehicle Crime!

A new car or motorbike is usually the second most valuable purchase we’ll make in a lifetime!

Vehicle theft and theft from vehicles make up almost a third of all reported crime and can be frustrating and very expensive for victims.

Around one in four vehicles are ever recovered and it can take weeks for the insurance to pay out as well!

Thankfully most vehicle crime is opportunistic and relatively easy to prevent.

Here’s a few tips and advice to help:

• Don’t leave anything valuable in your car
• Remove the stereo or fascia if possible
• Remove any satellite navigation devices
• Leave your glove box open to show it is empty
• Close windows and sunroofs
• Lock all doors including the boot

Parking:

• If possible park in a garage and also remember to lock the garage
• If away or you don’t have a garage always try to park in a well lit open location

Extra Precautions:

• If you don’t have an alarm gets one fitted
• Fit a tracking device to your vehicle
• Protect your tax disc with a tamper proof disc holder (available from the Post Office)
• Fit a Thatcham steering wheel immobiliser (which could also reduce your insurance premium)
• Look after your car keys and keep them out of sight even at home
• Secure expensive wheels with locking wheel nuts
• Etch your vehicle registration number VIN onto your windows
• Secure number plates with anti tamper screws or buys tamper resistant plates that break into pieces when removed
• Never store driving documents in the car