RESOURCES

Most victims of contact crime, whether it be a robbery or an assault, will tell you that they had the suspicion that something was not right moments before the crime occurred. Personal safety is not something we should practice in those moments. It is a lifestyle change to make you a harder target to criminals. Tulsa Crime Stoppers would like to offer you the following tips to help ensure your personal safety.

• When out and about stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings. Know what it behind, beside, and in front of you.
• Don’t carry more money than you will need in an emergency.
• Be calm and confident in your manner, body language, and speech if you are confronted by a stranger in public.
• Carry keys separate from you identification, but handy.
• Know where you are going.
• If you carry pepper spray, know how to use it.
• Avoid risky situations.
• Plan your route and become aware of alternatives.
• Become aware of your resources. If your battery dies in your cell phone, where’s the nearest phone, or safe haven? All QuikTrip Stores are safe havens for the community. The staff have been trained on what to do in emergencies. Fire Stations are also a good resource since firefighters staff the buildings 24/7.
• Keep your purse, wallet, or briefcase nearby and secure.
• Be careful using outside ATM’s at night or in unfamiliar surrounds.
• When on the street, walk facing oncoming traffic. It will be harder for someone to pull you into a car and abduct you.
• Tell someone where you’ll be and what time you’re supposed to return, or if you will be with someone you don’t know well.
• Try to not overload yourself with packages. If you must have your hands full, visualize how you would respond if approached, how you would get your hands free, etc.
• Do not wear headphones while walking or jogging.
• Do not read while walking or standing on the street. Keep your head from being buried in your phone as well.
• If you wear a purse with a shoulder strap, be prepared to let it go if snatched. Otherwise you may be hurt if the mugger knocks you down and drags you. While fleeing with your purse.
• If someone asks you for directions, and if you choose to reply, remain at least two arms lengths away.
• Clogs, high heels, and tight skirts are hard to run and fight in. Capes, scarves, and long necklaces are easy to grab. Modify you fashion style, or wear comfortable clothing when walking alone, or think through how you would fight in your dress-up cloths (for example, kicking off you high heels or hiking your skirt up around your hips before starting to run or kick.)
• Avoid being on the street alone if you re upset or under the influence of drugs or alcohol have someone go with you.
• If you are held at gunpoint or by a weapon for your items, comply with the suspect’s orders for your belongings and then signal for help immediately.
• Never get into a car with a robber because you do not know if and when you will be seen again.
• If you are held at gunpoint and run away, run in a zig zag path as it makes you a harder target.
• Remember that criminals are afraid of getting caught, by screaming and doing things to get others attention you will most likely scare of the suspect.
• When dropping someone off at their home, make sure they are safely inside before driving away. Have them do the same for you.

As always, if you see something suspicious do not hesitate to call the police. They are here to help us.

Identity Theft is Booming

This rather broad topic takes in any number of privacy crimes, including theft of a Social Security number, a credit or debit card, or even the pilfering of phone calling cards. The numbers associated with identity theft are beginning to add up fast. A recent General Accounting Office report estimates that as many as 750,000 Americans are victims of identity theft every year. And that number may be low, as many people choose not to report the crime or even know they’ve been victimized.

How It Can Happen

Officials say much of Identity Theft still comes down to hands-on mischief – things like ‘Dumpster diving’, and ‘shoulder surfing’. Officials also acknowledge that the Internet has opened avenues for theft. If nothing else, the internet allows thieves to send stolen data to most any worldwide location. One popular scam involves fake mortgage brokers and still another uses email in which the sender poses as an Internet service provider asking for information.

A Social Security card can also reap long-term fraudulent benefits. Virgil Gardaya, a corporate vice president with the credit bureau Equifax, notes that a stolen wallet containing a Social Security card lets a criminal quickly set up dummy bank and savings accounts. The very presence of the account may prompt the bank to give the criminal a credit card. From there, the con artist may waste little time maxing out the card, or take a bit more time and build up the card’s buying power. That can mean fraudulent purchases as pricey as cars and boats.

Simple Ways To Protect Yourself

There’s no ironclad protection that guarantees that you’ll never fall victim to some form of identity theft. But there are steps you can take to shield your privacy.

Remember to avoid S.C.A.M.s:

S: Be STINGY with your personal information.  Don’t give out your Social Security number, bank account information or other personal or financial information to unknown persons or companies.

C: CHECK your financial information regularly.  Most banks now offer online banking where you can monitor your account activity daily.  Carefully review your monthly bank and credit card statements for unknown purchases or transactions.

A: ASK annually for a free copy of your credit report.  Carefully review your report for inaccuracies.

M: MAIL THEFT is common.  Consider purchasing a locking mailbox and placing outgoing mail in the secured boxes at the post office

Some Extra Tips To Help Protect Yourself

• Destroy private records and statements.
• Empty your mailbox quickly so criminals don’t have a chance to snatch credit card pitches, and lock your mailbox.
• Don’t carry your Social Security (or Medicare card with Social Security) card with you, or any card that may have your number. Don’t put your number on your checks. Leave your driver’s license number off your checks as well.
• Never leave ATM or gas station receipts behind.
• Pay with cash as often as possible. When making an online purchase, look in the lower right hand corner of your browser window. If you see the icon of a lock, that means you’re dealing with a secure site. If you don’t see one, you’ll be safer finding another merchant.
• Stick to well-known retailers or sites that others have used to their satisfaction.
• Use only one credit card for online purchases. That way, if something amiss happens, it’ll be easier to spot on your bill. Be more defensive with personal information.
• Ask salespeople and others if information such as a Social Security number of driver’s license is absolutely necessary. Ask anyone who requires your Social Security number – for instance, your insurance company – what their privacy policy is and whether you can arrange for the organization not to share that information with anyone else.
• Check your credit report at least once a year to look for suspicious activity. If you spot something alert your card company or the creditor immediately.
• Investigate credit bureau protection services. Such as Credit Watch from Equifax. Again, protecting yourself from security fraud is no sure thing. But there is plenty you can do if you uncover some wrongdoing.
• If you get an unwanted e-mail, don’t click the “remove me” option, all that means is that the mail has hit an active address. Set up an e-mail garbage address. Use one e-mail address for transactions and activities that may lead to spams. Use another for all private communication.
• Besieged by telephone solicitations? Just tell them not to call again. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 stipulates that they have to do so if you ask. Do not engage in long conversations.
• Contact your card company and find out how to take part in their “opt out” program. This prevents your name from being passed around to other companies you cardholder deals with.

Tulsa Crime Stoppers celebrates the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. Our goal is to create a safe place to live, work, and play. Below we have including tips to help keep you safe in your vehicle.

Safety in the Car

• Check the inside and around your car before entering to insure that no one is hiding there.
• Check your surroundings before getting out of your car.
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers.
• Do not text or do other activities that distract your eyes from the road.
• Keep doors locked and windows rolled up so that a hand can’t reach in.
• If a group of suspicious people approaches you when you are stopped at a red light at a deserted intersection, run the light if your intuition tells you that the situation could get dangerous.
• Don’t let gas indicator fall below ¼.
• Plan your route and check a map before you start out.
• Park in well-lighted, heavily traveled areas if possible.
• Try not to park next to large vehicles in which you cannot be seen from exiting your car.
• Don’t leave ANYTHING inside your car.
• Give only ignition key to attendant.
• If you see an accident or stranded motorist, report it from the nearest telephone instead of stopping.
• Carry in your car the following in case of emergencies:

Flashlight, flares, fix-a-flat, extra tire and jack, maps, comfortable warm clothing, first aid kit, empty gas can, cell phone, charger.

Halloween is a fun time for most families and children in our community. Though the night is full of fun and festivity, children can be particularly vulnerable to lurking dangers on Halloween. Tulsa Crime Stoppers would like to make sure the holiday stays safe by contributing the following successful tips for a safe celebration.

• Children should trick-or-treat with an adult
• Trick-or-treat in areas that are well lit
• Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks where available
• Look left, right and left again when crossing
• Walk on sidewalks or paths; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible
• Wear light-colored costumes decorated with reflective tape or stickers
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers
• Only eat treats and candy that are properly wrapped in their original packaging after being checked by an adult
• It’s also a good idea to carry a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency.
•When possible trick-or-treat in groups

It is also important that drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe.

• Be alert in residential neighborhoods
• Drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic
• Remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see a moving vehicle
• Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully

Tulsa Crime Stoppers celebrates the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities.

Local emergency room hospital staff will tell you that they see gun shots wounds almost every day. Ranging from crime related shootings to self-inflicted.  The worst type to see is an accidental wound that could have been prevented.  In October 2015, Tulsa Police Department’s Range Staff and Tulsa Crime Stoppers made simple tips to help you with options for safe gun storage.

Trigger Locks – simple and affordable option for preventing a gun from being loaded or fired by an unauthorized user. Most new guns are now sold with trigger lock right in the box.

Gun Cases – available at local sporting goods stores in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and material options. Prices range from $10-$150 dollars. The primary role of this kind of affordable carry case is to protect one or more firearms from physical damage.

Strong Boxes and Security Cases – represents an effort by manufactures to provide gun owners with the anti-theft and gun-finish protection features of a locking gun. Prices vary greatly, anywhere from less than $50 to more than $300 based on the level of technology incorporated into the system.

Gun Safes – the most secure gun storage option available to the average gun owner. A basic, no frills safe is superior to any other storage options discussed so far in preventing unauthorized access to firearms. Prices vary from $500 to more than $2,500.

If a child should encounter a firearm in an unsupervised setting they should remember “If you see a gun: STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.” This message is simple, easy to remember and fun for kids to learn