GET INVOLVED

• It's never too early to become an informed consumer. Point out "too good to be true" offers to your kids, and teach them to be skeptical.
• Take an active interest in the financial activities of your aging parents.
• Share information about scams with friends and family. Use social networking to help keep them safe.

We're Out To Stop Fraud ... And You Can Help

If you have received a suspected fraud through the U.S. mail, or if the mail was used in the furtherance of a crime that began on the internet, telephone, or in person, report it to:

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Criminal Investigations Service Center
Attn: Mail Fraud
222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250
Chicago, IL 60606-6100

postalinspectors.uspis.gov
1-877-876-2455.

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, works to prevent fraud and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid it. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit:

Federal Trade Commission
ftc.gov/complaint
1-877-FTC-HELP

For more information on recognizing and preventing frauds and scams, please visit:

deliveringtrust.com

Residential Burglary Prevention

1. Make sure you have your house number close to the front and back doors of your house. Dark numbers on light trim are easiest to read. During an emergency, this could save precious moments.
2. Install a peep hole in your exterior doors if you do not have glass around the door. NEVER open the door to a stranger. Speak through the closed door. Call 911 if you are suspicious of a person.
3. Add deadbolt locks to all of your doors, particularly those with glass near the doorknob. Remove the key from the lock. If you want to keep a key close to the door for emergencies, make sure it is not reachable from the glass panels in the door and it is not visible.
4. Make sure to notify a trusted neighbor and/or family member in the area when you are going to be away. Set timers on both indoor and outdoor lights. Arrange for papers, mail and flyers to be taken in, and ask a neighbor to place some trash in your super can and wheel it to the alley on trash day. Arrange for the lawn to be mowed while you are away. These simple steps can greatly reduce your chances of becoming the next burglary victim.
5. If you have alarm system on your home, use it. If you have an alarm system in your home, and you have a skylight, make sure to have the skylight wired to the alarm system. This is a way of entering homes without being detected.
6. Check your surroundings before getting out of your car on your way into the house, and out of the house on your way into your vehicle. Report all suspicious persons and vehicles to Police.
7. Remove all valuables from sight near windows and glass doors in your home, especially purses.
8. Store expensive jewelry in safe deposit boxes, take pictures of the jewelry, get the jewelry appraised. If you store jewelry in your home, DO NOT store jewelry in the master bedroom.
9. Get to know your neighbors. If you know who belongs on your block, it is easier to spot someone who does not belong. Report suspicious behavior to the police. If you suspect it is a crime, call 911. Use the words Possible Crime in Progress. Get involved in your community.

Prince George's County Police offers FREE home security assessments by appointments.

Please contact Cpl. Gerald Knight, District VI, to schedule your appointment 301-937-0910.

Report all suspicious persons, and vehicles to Police!

Emergency 911 - Non-Emergency 301-333-4000

Free Child ID Kits from County Police District VI

Prince George's County District VI

Concerned Citizens for Childrens Identification

A group of citizens, along with the Prince Georges County Police Department, have identified a need to establish and implement a child identification care package. This package is designed to educate the parent and child on how to avoid being abducted and to provide an information sheet with all information needed to forward to law enforcement in the event your child is determined to be missing. This is 100% free and 100% confidential. The parent will take possession of the packet once it is completed. The identification sheet will only be given to law enforcement once it has been determined, by the parent, that the need is there. This is a one step process designed to make life a little easier during a time of crisis.

This is all made possible by concerned citizens who have given their time and the materials needed to make this program possible: Joyce Beck, Karen Coakley, Frank Cockrell, Elizabeth Evans, Dale Good and Evelyn Wright.

Any questions, Contact Cpl. Woody, District VI at 301-937-0910.

How To Reduce Theft From Automobiles

1. Park your vehicle in a well lit area.
2. Make sure you remove all items of value.
3. If you have a portable GPS, please make sure you wipe the ring shape, where the GPS is placed, off of your windshield or dash.
4. Lock all of your doors and roll the windows up.
5. Activate your vehicle alarm, if you have one.

These are five easy steps to reduce the probability of you becoming a victum of automobile theft. And remember, if an item is stolen from your vehicle and it is not permanently attached or is an aftermarket product, it is not going to be covered by your insurance company.

Your community friend,
Cpl. Woody