SEXUAL ASSAULT

Sexual assault, most often in the form of rape, can happen to anyone. To stay safe, always be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Sexual assaults are serious and violent crimes, not the expression of uncontrolled passion.

Sexual assault is never 100% preventable, but taking certain measures can reduce the chances:

• Be aware of locations and situations where assaults may occur and avoid them as much as possible.
• If you feel uncomfortable about a person or location, leave immediately.
• Observe details about suspicious persons. Taking note of a person's size, coloring, hairstyle, facial hair, scars, tattoos, or accent can help you give a good description.
• List only your initials and last name in the telephone directory or on a mailbox.
• Install a peephole in your front door and never open the door for strangers.
• Avoid traveling alone and keep a cell phone nearby to dial 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
• While at home, lock all doors and possible entrances.
• Keep entrances well-lit.
• Never indicate to a stranger that you are home alone.
• Get to know your neighbors you can rely on for help.
• While walking be aware of your surroundings. Walk near the street in a well-lit area.
• Carry a noise making device.

While driving:

• Keep your car in good working order and make sure to always have gas.
• Park in well-lit areas, close the windows and lock the doors at all times.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• Use extra caution when using enclosed parking garages.

If you are followed:

• Drive to an open business where you can call the police.
• Don't leave your car unless you are sure you can get to a safe place.

If you are attacked:

• Think rationally and evaluate your resources and options
• Attract attention
• Fake fainting
• Physical resistance
• Run

After an assault or rape:

• Go to a safe place and call the police immediately.
• Do not shower or clean your body in any way, and keep the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. This will preserve all physical evidence for use in court.
• If you cannot wait for law enforcement, go directly to the hospital.

Credit Card Fraud

If someone has stolen or is fraudulently using credit cards that are issued to you (including any ATM/Debit/Check cards), you will need to take the following steps:

• Immediately notify the credit card company or financial institution that issued your card. Do not delay as the stolen cards are normally used quickly after being stolen.
• Make an immediate police report for the loss or theft of the credit card(s) with the law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction where the loss/theft occurred and obtain a case number. If the credit card was lost or stolen and it has been used fraudulently, a theft has occurred.

The cardholder is the victim of the theft of the card only. Even though a credit card is issued to a cardholder, the issuing credit card company or financial institution (e.g., Visa, MasterCard, an issuing bank, etc.) has total control over their credit account and only extends the privilege of its use to the assigned cardholder(s). A cardholder is not deemed to be a victim of the fraudulent use of the credit card(s) solely by having their name embossed on the card. The credit card company or financial institution issuing this card will normally be the victim of any fraudulent use of the card. The victim of the crime known as fraudulent use of a credit card is determined by whomever ultimately suffers the financial loss.

The issuing credit card company or financial institution many require the assigned cardholder(s) to complete fraud affidavits along with any other document to assist in their investigation. They will determine possible courses of action which may include:

• reimbursing your account.
• writing off the fraud due to the low dollar amount of the loss or declining to prosecute the case, listing this loss as a cost of doing business. Generally, the will be no further investigation by law enforcement.
• charging back any fraudulent charges to the cardholder or merchant. If this occurs, the cardholder or merchant will become the victim of any fraudulent use of the credit card. The cardholder or merchant will have to make a separate complaint report with the law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction where the fraudulent use of the credit card occurred.
• actively persuing prosecution for any fraudulent charges made within an agency's jurisdiction. The issuing credit card company or financial institution will be required to make a separate complaint report with the law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction where the fraudulent use of the credit card occurred.

Note: As a cardholder, you should remain in contact with the issuing credit card company or financial institution to determine what the outcome of the investigation and any decision to seek prosecution. If their decision is to take the loss, there will not be any further investigation by the agency.

Contact the three credit reporting companies listed below to report this credit card theft and / or fraudulent use. should confirm that a fraud alert is placed on your personal credit file. This should help prevent any future acts of fraud.

Identity Theft

When your personal identification information (name, social security number, driver license number, etc.) has been used fraudulently to open credit accounts, bank accounts, obtain loans, utilities, telephone services, etc., without your knowledge or permission, you are the victim of the crime of identity theft. If you believe that your identity has been stolen, you should take the following steps:

• immediately contact the company or financial institution's fraud department where your information was used and alert them of this fraudulent account. Have the account closed or cancelled.
• file an immediate police report with the law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction where the identity theft occurred and obtain a case number. The location of jurisdiction is where the account(s) were opened or services provided. If your identity has been assumed outside of Broward County and you wish to file an information report with the Broward County Sheriff's Office, you may do so. The report will be forwarded to the jurisdiction where the crime occurred.
• Contact the three credit reporting companies listed below to report this identity theft complaint. You will need to confirm that a fraud alert is placed on your personal credit file. This alert should help prevent any future acts of fraud involving your personal identification information where a credit check would be conducted with the three credit bureaus.

Note: identity theft cases are generally difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt due to a lack of adequate physical evidence. This is due in part to standard business practices (or policies) as businesses conduct day-to-day operations. Businesses are normally unable to provide necessary evidence (applications, contracts, receipts, etc.) or have had no actual personal contact with the perpetrator of the fraudulent act.

On occasion, you may receive information about the perpetrator such as an address, phone number or an e-mail address used to commit fraud. This information is a lead in the investigation and while usually not sufficient in and of itself to make an arrest or to facilitate submission of the case to the State Attorney's Office, you should report the information to the law enforcement agency where you filed the police report. Evidence must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the perpetrator is in fact the specific individual who committed the crime of identity theft.

Check Forgery

If you've discovered that someone has been forging checks on your checking account, you should take the following steps:

Theft of Checks

Immediately notify your financial institution of the theft. They will flag your account and determine if any stolen checks have been cashed (uttered). Make a prompt police report with the law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction where the theft occurred and obtain a case number. Provide a sworn statement to the deputy or officer, listing your bank or credit union name, account number, the check numbers of the stolen checks any possible suspect information. Include a statement that no one had your permission to take, possess or use your checks.

Checks Forged (Stolen) On Your Account

If you discover in your monthly bank statements that someone has stolen check(s) and has cashed them by forging your signature, immediately notify your bank or credit union. Make a police report as described above. You are considered a victim of the theft of checks only. Provide your bank or credit union with the original forged checks, complete and sign forgery affidavits for each forged check.

Note: Your bank or credit union will normally take the financial loss and should credit your account. Once this is done, they become the victim of the uttering of a forgery. A victim of uttering of a forgery is ultimately determined by whomever suffers the money loss. Even though your signature has been forged, you will be considered only as a witness in this case. If the bank or credit union determines that you were negligent and does not credit your account, then you will become the victim of uttering of a forgery.

Recipient of Forged Checks (Stolen or Counterfeit)

If you discover that unauthorized checks (stolen or counterfeit) have been cashed or deposited to your account, take the original forged checks to you bank or credit union. You will be required to complete and sign fraud / forgery affidavits for each check. Your bank or credit union will investigate to determine exactly how and when these stolen or counterfeit checks entered your account. They will then do one of the following:

• Accept the financial loss and make an uttering of a forgery report with the law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction of where the check(s) were uttered / presented for payment; or
• Notify the merchant, bank, etc. from where the check was initially received, return the check(s) in question and request repayment for their loss. The merchant or bank will have to make the uttering of a forgery complaint report with the law enforcement agency holding jurisdiction where the check was presented.

If you are the victim of any of these crimes, contact the three credit reporting companies listed below. Request that a fraud alert be placed on your personal credit file. This should help prevent any future acts of fraud.

The following is a list of credit bureaus that may be contacted when there is a dispute over your credit. These bureaus can provide you with a detailed account of your credit history. Victims of economic crimes are encouraged to contact the following companies when their identity has been compromised by criminal activity.

EXPERIAN

www.experian.com
To report fraud, dispute an item in your credit report, or order a copy of your credit report, call:
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write to:
P.O. Box 9352 Allen, TX. 75013

EQUIFAX

www.equifax.com
To report fraud, call:
1-800-525-6285 / Fax 1-800-255-0056 or write to:
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA. 30374-0241
To obtain a copy of your credit report, call 1-800-685-1111 or write to:
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA. 30374-0241

TRANS UNION

www.transunion.com
To report fraud, call: 1-800-680-7289 / Fax 1-877-553-7803 or write to:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA. 92634-6790
To obtain a copy of your credit report or to dispute an item in your credit report, call:
1-800-916-8800 or write:
Trans Union - Consumer Relations
P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA. 19022

Helpful Resources

United States Secret Service
U.S. Treasury

www.secretservice.gov
Investigates account takeovers and fraudulent use of Social Security Numbers
Social Security "Hot Line"
1-800-269-0271

United States Postal Inspectors

www.usps.gov
Investigates mail fraud and fraudulent applications for credit by mail
Ft. Lauderdale Office
(954) 436-7200

Federal Trade Commission

www.ftc.gov
Consumer Response Center
Identity Theft: 1-800-382-4357

Tele-Check

problems with checking account frauds and opened accounts.
1-800-366-2425

Consumer Credit Counseling Service

Advice and direction to victim

1-800-388-2227

Extremely cold weather is common, and when temperatures drop, We want you to remember these tips to stay safe while you stay warm:

• If you use portable heaters, be sure they have an automatic safety shut-off switch and never leave children unattended in rooms with portable heaters.
• Supervise children and pets at all times when a portable space heater is in use.
• Never use space heaters to dry flammable items such as clothing or blankets.
• Keep all flammable objects at least three feet from space heaters.
• Install smoke detectors on every level, test them monthly and replace batteries at least yearly.
• If any appliances or heating devices in your home produce carbon monoxide (CO), be sure to install CO detectors in your home and then test and properly maintain the detectors.
• Have a qualified service technician check and clean your heating system every year.

Each day, three women are killed in America by boyfriends or husbands. Men, children, elders and pets also become victims of domestic violence.

Wyominh law describes domestic violence as any physically abusive behavior committed by a household member that results in injury or death. Here are some signs of an abusive relationship that may result in domestic violence:

• You are afraid of your partner's temper
• You are overly concerned about what kind of mood your partner is in
• Your partner prevents you from seeing your friends or family, or alienates them so that they are uncomfortable being around him
• Your partner threatens to hurt or kill you, your children, your family, friends or pets
• Your partner yells at you, reprimands you, or demeans you in public
• Your partner hits, slaps, pushes or shoves you, pulls your hair, or inflicts physical injury on you in any way
• Your partner prevents you from getting or keeping a job
• Your partner keeps you from leaving the house or locks you out of the house.

There's no reason to accept or tolerate this behavior from a spouse or domestic partner. If you need help, here's what you can do:

If you are a victim of violence and need immediate assistance call-
307-358-4800 OR 1-800-252-3575
These lines are available 24 hours a day.

or dial 911 in a emergency

Whether you're home or away on vacation, a few simple precautions can make your home less attractive to burglars.

• Be sure your outdoor lighting illuminates all entrances to your home.
• Cut back shrubbery to discourage burglars from hiding near window and doors.
• Keep windows and doors locked at all times. Make certain your garage door is closed and locked.
• Install a peephole in your front door.
• Windows and sliding glass doors should be secured with auxiliary locks. Special door pins, available at home improvement stores, can prevent your sliding doors from being lifted from their tracks during a burglary attempt.
• Deadbolt locks should be used on all exterior doors (single or double cylinder with a minimum one inch throw is recommended).
• Never hide or store keys or tools outside.

When you're away from home for extended periods, be sure to take the following precautions:

• Let trusted friends and neighbors know that you'll be away.
• Make your home appear occupied. Attach timers to lights and television sets and set them to turn on and off at different times.
• Have your newspaper and mail held, or picked up by a friend or neighbor.
• Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
• Open some of the drapes or blinds on your windows. During daytime hours, it gives the appearance that someone is home, and during the evening, lights inside the house are more visible.

Converse County S.O. offers residents in its jurisdictions a free Vacation Home Watch program. Deputies will drive by unoccupied residences and perform a daily perimeter check for signs of break-in or suspicious activity.

To participate, call or stop by our office and request a vacation home watch form. You must provide the dates and times your home will be unoccupied with a contact phone number of a trusted neighbor or local relative.

The Internet is an increasingly important place for children to learn, work and play. But it also presents challenges for parents, teens and younger children, especially considering the anonymity that masks users.

You can help your child avoid online pornography and encounters with predators, hackers and others who would exploit children and their personal information by establishing rules for Internet use, and making sure the rules are enforced.

General tips for parents:

• Learn everything you can about the Internet. Have your children show you the sites they visit, learn chat room lingo and acronyms that chatters use (like POS for Parent Over Shoulder; more examples are included on this page.). Know what other Internet functionality your child may have access to like instant messaging, chat, e-mail and other text messaging. Visit www.cybertipline.com for a quick lesson.
• Establish approved Internet time and territory. Make it clear to children what sites they can and cannot visit, what hours they may use Internet, and with whom they may communicate.
• Keep the computer in a common area of the home, such as a living room or family room, where adults can easily monitor online activity.
• Discuss the importance of telling you or a trusted adult if something ever makes your child or teen feel scared, uncomfortable or confused while online.
• Consider safeguarding options like site blocking, filtering and monitoring. Enter these keywords into any search engine to learn more about software and browser settings that can help you control where children and teens go online. Know how to set parental controls and check the browser's history files.
• Show your children how to turn off the monitor when something makes them feel scared, uncomfortable or confused.
• Make sure you are aware of any other places your child may be using the Internet, such as a friend's house or the library.
• Talk to your children about what personal information is and why they should never give it out.

E-mail safety:

• Check the e-mail your children receive for appropriate content. All too often, e-mail addresses are "harvested" by unscrupulous marketers; the resulting "spam" messages frequently contain adult content.
• NEVER post your child's e-mail address in any directory.
• Don't "unsubscribe" on unwanted, un-requested or unsolicited e-mail. Don't sign up for free offers (remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it is!).
• Don't forward e-mails to everyone in your address book.
• Make sure children only exchange email with people they know and let them use chat areas you supervise.

Tips for children and teens:

Print these requirements and post them near the computer in your home after discussing them with your family:

• Don't give out your personal information such as name, age, address, telephone number, parent/guardian's name, and school name/address.
• Do not respond to mean, offensive, threatening, or unwanted email or instant messaging.
• Choose a screen name that doesn't identify you as a young boy or girl.
• Don't share your password with anyone (except a parent/guardian)-not even your best friend.
• NEVER agree to meet with someone you don't know. Remember, people online may or MAY NOT be who they say they are.
• Tell your parents, a teacher or trusted adult if you read or see something online that makes you uncomfortable or if someone threatens you or suggests you meet.

More resources:

www.netsmartz.org

www.kidshealth.org

www.fbi.gov

www.about.com

 

Copyright © 2009 Converse County Sheriff's Office. All rights reserved.
This information is made available to the public and law enforcement in the interest of public safety.
Any unauthorized use of this information is forbidden and subject to criminal prosecution.