Christmas presents stolen. On November 5

CITY POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

************************* Break and enters

- An apartment in the 200 block of Northern Avenue was entered yesterday afternoon. Some Christmas presents were reported stolen.

- A residence on Tancred Street was entered on the 4th of November. A DVD player, DVDs, two rings, and a watch were reported stolen.

************************* Mischief reports

- A window at Savoy’s Jewellers on Queen Street was smashed just after midnight last night.

- A recycling box was thrown through a window on a residence on La Chaumiere Place last night at 9:21 p.m.

************************** Crime Prevention Week tips - Credit card frauds

- Purchase from reputable sources only. When purchasing on-line, ensure that the site is secure before providing credit card information.

- Check your monthly statement promptly and immediately report any unauthorized purchases to your credit card company.

- Be leery of providing credit cad information when requested through unsolicited e-mails. Identity theft

- Do not carry your Social Insurance card with you.

- Shred all credit card and bank statements when finished with them.

- Be cautious of missed bills, credit card, or bank statements. This could indicate an account take over and documentation is being redirected to prevent the fraud being discovered.

- Never give your credit card number over the phone unless you initiated the call and know who you are speaking with.

- When purchasing online, ensure that the site is secure before providing credit card information.

- Check monthly statements immediately and report any discrepancies immediately to the financial institution involved.

- Have a yearly credit profile completed to ensure no one has applied for credit in your name.

- Have a good firewall in your computer system and when disposing of old computers, ensure that all personal information is wiped clean from the computer and memory.

- Update the virus protection on your computer regularly.

Lotteries

- You don't win lotteries you didn't enter.

- If lottery winnings seem "too good to be true," they probably are.

- Beware of lotteries that charge a fee or taxes that you must pay first before delivery of a prize.

- Beware of demands to send additional fees for future or additional winnings.

- Be cautious when dealing with persons from outside of Canada.

Renovation frauds

- Unfortunately, renovation fraud has become a huge problem in today's society. Individuals are in the business of taking advantage of the elderly by charging large amounts of money in return for poor workmanship or repairs that are not necessary. However, you don't have to be elderly to become a victim.

- Never deal with door to door solicitors or telephone solicitors who are calling on behalf of a firm that is "in your area."

- Be cautious of the "free inspection" followed by the major work required.

- Always obtain more than one estimate for any work to be done.

- Contact the Better Business Bureau to check for previous complaints against the person or firm.

- Do not prepay for any work unless you are familiar with the contractor and then only a small percentage at a time. Advances against completed work are acceptable.

- If the contractor requests funds for materials, have the materials delivered to your site COD and pay for them directly.

- Ask for references and contact the references to determine how satisfied they were with the work.

Skimming

- "Skimming" is a process of obtaining personal bank card (debit) or credit card data by placing a "skimming" device on a card reader. In addition to the skimming device, a pinhole camera or keypad overlay is used to capture PIN numbers. Once the data and corresponding PIN number are captured, bank accounts can be easily accessed to withdraw money.

- Protect your personal identification number (PIN) - cover the keypad with your hand or other item when entering your PIN.

- Change your PIN on a regular basis.

- Never have your PIN written down in your purse or wallet.

- Never use numbers that are easily found (birth date, address, or phone number).

- Never give your PIN to someone else.

- Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for people loitering around ATMs, clerks that swipe your card more than once, or have the card out of sight below the counter.

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