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Protect Yourself
Did you know that a good defensive strategy against crime involves knowledge and awareness? To help you learn more, the City of Arlington Police Department has put together some timely information on crime trends and other topics to help you protect yourself and your family.
Personalized Crime Prevention Program
Identity Theft
Cyber Crime
Crime Prevention
Request a Personalized Crime Prevention Program
The Arlington Police Department will gladly help you establish a Neighborhood Watch, a citizen's involvement program where citizens, in cooperation with their local law enforcement agency, directly participate in the detection and prevention of crime.
Similar to a Neighborhood Watch, the Business Watch program is best suited for businesses located in close proximity to one another.
The Police Department will also come to your place of business to host seminars on topics such as loss prevention from robbery and shoplifting, internal theft and burglary.
Other services offered by the Arlington Police Department include:
Security surveys or a walk through of a location where the officer suggests alternate methods of securing the business;
Employee education programs with discussions on shoplifters, fraud, suspicious persons and personal safety.
Domestic Violence
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, Domestic Violence Services of Snohomishy County can help you. They provide free and confidential services: emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. For information, please visit their website at www.dvs-snoco.org or call their 24-hour crisis hotline: 425.25.ABUSE (425.252.2873).
Identity Theft
Identity theft is one of America's fastest growing crime trends. Operating under a variety of methods, identity thieves obtain key pieces of our identities and fraudulently use this information for illegal gain.
Safeguarding your personal information is critical. Follow these steps to combat identity theft:
Don't carry extra credit cards; only take what you must have;
Shred all unneeded financial statements, receipts, "pre-approved" credit offers, etc.;
Check your bills thoroughly for unknown charges or activity;
Investigate any letters or statements regarding credit or property that you did not apply for or purchase;
Do not write your social security number on any documents unless lawfully required;
Never have your social security number listed on your driver's license;
Request a credit report at least once a year to determine any unauthorized inquiries or activity;
Order your social security benefits statement once a year to make sure that no one is using your social security number for means of income.
If you are a victim of identity theft or fraud:
1. Contact your local police department immediately;
2. Report the crime by phone to any creditor that might be affected. Follow up in writing and keep copies of this documentation
3. Call the credit agencies:
o Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
o Experian (Formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
o Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Other Helpful Information:
Social Security Benefits: 1-800-772-1213
Social Security Fraud Hotline: 1-800-269-0271
Consumer Credit Counseling Service: 1-800-388-2227
Unwanted Junk Mail: Send a letter requesting that your name be removed from all mailing lists for junk mail: Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735 (212) 768-7277
This website is a valuable resource tool for anyone dealing with identity theft: www.fightidentitytheft.com
Cyber Crime
Cyber crime is defined as the use of Internet, e-mail, or other electronic communications device to steal one's identity or other personal information for purpose of exploitation. Information on how to prevent cyber crime from happening to you can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice website, www.cybercrime.gov.
Vehicle Safety Tips
o Park in a well-lit area whenever possible.
o Always check to make sure you have your keys with you.
o Never leave a "hidden" key in your car.
o Leaving your purse, laptop or cell phone in plain view is an open invitation to thieves.
o Lock all valuables in your trunk.
o Lock your vehicle at all times.
Home Safety Tips
o Rather than hiding a spare key at your home, leave one with a neighbor you can trust.
o Report frequent "wrong number" or obscene telephone calls, to police and telephone company.
o When recording an outgoing message on your answering machine, never state that you are not at home or out of town.
o When traveling, use automatic timers on lights to make it look like you are home.
o Have a neighbor pick up mail and newspapers on a daily basis.
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