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Misc Personal Security    General Security    Residential & Business Safety

Personal Security at ATMs

Misc Personal Security

1. If someone solicits you by telephone or e-mail, be very careful. Do not give them or repeat your telephone number. Do not provide any personal information about your family or yourself. Buy caller ID and install this equipment so that you can see who they are before you answer. Keep a logbook of unusual or suspicious calls and contact the police immediately.
2. Having an answering machine is fine as long as you don't state your name or telephone number or where you may be in the message. A good message may simply state "Hello, we are in, but will need a few minutes to get back to you, please leave your name and number and we will get back to you in a few moments.
3. You must always provide yourself another means of alternate communications, such as a cell phone. If the criminal cuts or disconnects your phone line, you're in trouble. Store or keep a cell phone in an easily accessible place and have a plan. Having an additional separate phone line is good, but a cell phone is better.
4. Try not to provide your financial history, credit card account information, or similar to people by way of e-mail, fax, phone. If you can hand carry it this is the best method. If you do e-mail such document make sure you use a security encrypted secure server to send your materials. If you have to mail same request a return receipt and try not to type or write "Mortgage Payment, "My Payment" or similar outside the envelope. Use thick envelopes or wrap your documents so that others cannot see through and get your account number, etc.

General Security

1. When you are out in a public place, disallow people to get too close. If they proceed too close, move away. Putting your back against a wall, casually, without seeming afraid, is always the best method to observe your surroundings.
2. When exiting your house, bank, or stores, especially at night, take notice prior to leaving the building. You can look out the windows and doors and observe who may be lingering in the dark. Be very aware of suspicious cars, people, and if something seems threatening do not leave without having someone escort you, contacting a significant other or the police department preferably. Do not fall victim by ignoring your surroundings.
3. The best time to go to the bank or other traveling you may do is during the daylight hours and at a known location. Try never to use an ATM machine at night, especially in an area you are unfamiliar with.
4. When shopping try always to have an assistant. Try not to ever have both your hands full of packages or materials. If a criminal confronts you then you would be unable to counter-attack them.
5. When walking in public, especially in busy roadways, be very careful not only for speeding vehicles, but stalkers. Try to plan out your walking or traveling routes to avoid blind spots, or roadways that are winding, speeding, or otherwise precarious or unsafe.
6. If you have nobody responsible to advise where you may be going should you be going out on the town or on vacation do write down information where you are traveling to and with whom on a piece of paper and leave it in your home in a relatively visible location should you not return. This will establish a track record history of where you may be and will assist the authorities with an investigation.
7. Another similar method is if you are driving somewhere, you can write down on a note and leave it in your glove compartment in with your insurance card, note pad or similar location. You may also use a mini tape recorder to speak your message of where you are or problems that may have arisen with specific details of persons, places, and things etc, which can assist the authorities as well to investigate your possible whereabouts.

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1. You may want to install a security system at home and at your business. A security system can be an effective means in countering and deterring criminal presence. If need be you can install a CCTV Video Camera system to tape your property.
2. If someone knocks at your door, be very careful. They may be a criminal posing as a delivery person or salesman seeking to observe the inside of your residence and specific times that you may be there. Put a chain lock on your door and a peephole so that you can communicate with them without giving them a chance to possibly accost you. If they do not check out shut the door immediately, get their license plate from a nearby window, being careful not to allow them to see you through the window and obtain other important descriptions (i.e.: weight, height, hair, race), etc. And contact police.
3. If strangers alert you or catch you off guard while you are possibly mowing your lawn, never admit to being home alone. If they start questioning you, advise them that you will get your husband and son to come out to speak with them. Go inside and lock the door if these people appear to be suspicious contact police.
4. Try not to announce your personal plans or views in public. Because the bad guy may be listening and obtaining information and thoughts about you. Cordless telephones can also easily be intercepted and ease dropped by a criminal using an inexpensive scanner that they may have.
5. Don't leave your personal organizer/calendar unattended at work or while at appointments. Someone can look at the book and know when you have vacation or can follow you. Lock up your personal belongings at work, especially pocket book, address book and wallets.
6. Try to keep your shades or blinds curbed or down during the day and place plants in front of your windows so it appears that someone may be at home. Similarly at night, utilize automatic on/off timers on lights and your phone off the hook instead of an answering machine should you be going out to throw the criminal off guard. Alternate these concepts regularly so that the lowlife criminal cannot establish a pattern of your activities and possibly time your arrival and departure times and places.
7. You may want to keep your property well manicured and maintained, especially entranceways and exits to eliminate criminals from hiding in such spots. Mainly be aware of possible hiding spots where ever you may travel to avoid surprise attacks. Put thorny bushes under bedroom windows and near entrances and exits to further deter possible criminals from hiding.
8. Install high output lighting and automatic light sensors security devices around your property which comes on when something walks in front of them.
9. When you relocate to a new building, business or residential apartment be sure to change all locks and alarm access codes, etc. Previous occupants and associates may still have this information.
10. If you should place a key, alarm code or personal information to assist you should you forgot something, be sure to be very careful in placing same. Criminals are aware of all the hiding spots, under mats, flower pots, etc.
11. Lock your doors when you are working in the yard, attic, or any place away from your home entry areas. While you are busy elsewhere, burglars could easily enter your homes unnoticed and be hiding and awaiting your arrival.
12. Be sure that you always lock your home, car, and windows. Many times when you are showering, BBQing, or in the basement, the bad guy may be planning to rape, rob you or burglarize your property. Be aware of your surroundings.

PERSONAL SECURITY AT ATMs

1. Be careful when using an automatic teller machine, especially when getting cash.
2. To increase your level of safety at automatic teller machines, follow these basic guidelines:
3. Try to use the ATM during daylight hours. If you have to get cash at night, with someone else and only use machines that are visible from a major street and well lit.
4. Look for suspicious people or activity.
5. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, even if you have started a transaction, cancel your transaction and leave.
6. When entering your secret code, use your body as a shield.
7. Always take your transaction receipts and statements.
8. Do not count or display money at the ATM.
9. Do not accept offers of help from anyone you don't know. If you have problems or questions contact your bank.
10. Protect your access code.  Memorize your access code; don't write it down and/or carry it with you.
11. Don't use an access code that's the same as other word's or numbers  in your wallet.
12. Never tell your access code to ANYONE !! (including bank employees, the police, etc.)
13. Never lend your ATM card to anyone; treat it like cash or a credit card.
14. If you lose your ATM card, notify your bank or credit union immediately.

15. Never accept offers of assistance with the ATM from strangers.  If you do have problems contact your financial institution.

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