SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Antidote for Opiate Drug Overdose

There is now an antidote that is available to the public for overdoses of opiate drugs. Four area pharmacies offer a kit with naloxone, also called Narcan.

Narcan can be used to block the effects of pain killers such as oxycodone, Vicodin, codeine and heroin in the case of an overdose. In 2013, 86 people died from opioid drug overdoses in Snohomish County. 440 cases of opiate poisonings were treated last year by Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett.

If you have a relative or friend who abuses drugs, having a kit available may save their life. The kits are available at the following pharmacies:

Providence Pharmacy

9200 N. Kelsey St., Monroe
(360) 794-5555

QFC Pharmacy

27008 92^nd Ave NW, Stanwood
(360) 629-0662

Haggen Pharmacy

3711 88^th St. NE, Marysville
(360) 530-7761

Bellegrove Pharmacy

18800 142^nd Ave. NE, Woodinville
(425) 455-2123

For more information go to:

 

The Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141218/NEWS01/141219037

Medline Plus:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a612022.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FALLS/GOLD CREEK- Package Theft

Postings in social media report at least one household experienced the theft of several packages that had been delivered by UPS this morning in The Falls/Gold Creek area. There no doubt have been other thefts in the area since package thieves like to follow UPS, FEDEX, and Postal Service delivery vehicles on their routes.

I have reported on ideas for preventing package theft in the past. One other idea would be to request the delivery company to place the package(s) somewhere where it cannot be seen such as your back porch.

For other ideas go to:

 http://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/2014/12/lynnwood-package-theft.html

 

 

LYNNWOOD- Identity Thief Raises Havoc for Victim

The Lynnwood Police Department is looking for an identity thief who has opened credit card accounts at several stores in the area using the stolen identity of a Lynnwood man.

The victim does not know how the suspect received his personal information. However, the victim estimates that he has losses of around $25,000.

Lynnwood Police do not know the name of the suspect, but they have released video of a man who they determined has been using the victim’s personal information. The suspect has a noticeable tattoo on his left arm. To see the video go to this link:

WASHINGTON’S MOST WANTED-

http://catchwmw.com/2014/12/15/accused-identity-wanted-in-lynnwood-wreaks-havoc-with-victims-life-hundreds-of-hours-spent-clearing-his-name/

If you know who this person is, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS

If you discover that someone is using your name and your personal information report it to 911. Also, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-2

This picture from store video shows the suspect:

The suspect has been associated with this SUV:

 

HOLIDAY DRINKING- DUI Apps Help You Determine if You are Too Drunk to Drive

The holiday season is the time of year that local police agencies conduct DUI emphasis patrols and publish public service announcements urging all of us to not drink and drive, go to parties and bars with a designated drivers or take a taxi home.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been funding development work on cell phone apps that warn you when you might have had too much alcohol to drive.

One app, developed by the state of Maryland with NHTSA money, is called ENDUI. It has you play games that test your reaction. One game has you press a red “brake” when a picture of a pedestrian shows on the screen or a vehicle in front of you (on the screen) stops. Another game shows road signs in blinking in different order; you have to recall the order.

ENDUI also has a function that takes your weight, height and sex to estimate you BAC (a measure of how much alcohol is in your body) after a certain number of drinks.

ENDUI can be found for iPhone and Android phones.

There are several other DUI apps that you can find for iPhone, Android and Windows phones.

An app like this may not be for everyone, but, it might be a fun way to increase your awareness while you are enjoying yourself at a party or with your friends when you are out on the town.

 

SEATTLE TIMES-

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2025226377_drunkappxml.html

 

WEBPRONEWS-

http://www.webpronews.com/dui-app-lets-you-play-games-to-show-you-how-drunk-you-are-2014-12

HOLIDAY SCAMS- More Scams to Watch Out For

With Christmas closing in and the shopping for those last minute gifts becoming more intense, AARP and Washington State Attorney General’s Office’s Fraud Watch Network has published more scams and frauds to be on the lookout for.

Go to the following links for detailed information:

KING TV- Interview with Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson-

 

http://www.king5.com/story/entertainment/television/programs/new-day-northwest/2014/12/11/wa-state-attorney-general-aarp-fraud-fighter-network-holiday-charity-scams/20232131/

 

Fraud Watch Network-

http://blog.aarp.org/2014/12/05/fa-la-la-or-fraud-sneakiest-holiday-scams/

 

BOTHELL- Luring Incident

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is looking for help from the public for information about a suspect in a luring incident that occurred in the vicinity of 196^th St SE and 24^th Dr. SE north of Bothell.

According to a Sheriff’s Office press release, a 12 year old female reported that she was walking home around 3pm from her bus stop when a man jumped out of a parked pick-up truck, grabbed her and yelled, “Boo!” The man noticed three other students in the area, returned to his truck, and left the area.

The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-40’s, 5 foot 11 inches tall, gray medium length hair and a gray beard. He was driving a tan colored standard cab pickup truck.

If you have any information about this incident, call 911.

 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office-

http://wa-snohomishcounty.civicplus.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=4078

 

 

ONLINE SECURITY- Phishing and Ransomware

Here are two alerts about dangers to your computer:

Phishing- Emails have been going out posing as “Order Confirmations” that can download software that will take your email information, passwords, and then make your computer into a botnet slave.

Since Thanksgiving, emails have been going out asking you to confirm a supposed order that the email claims you have made. In order to confirm your order, the email asks you to click on a link. Do not click that link! The email may have an embedded link or it may have an infected attached file.

The emails may claim to be from major retailers such as Home Depot, Walmart, Target, or Costco.

If you click on the link, a piece of software called the Asprox spam botnet will copy email credentials and passwords. Then, your computer will send junk email and spam to the email addresses in your address book.

Order confirmation scams come hot and heavy during the holiday shopping season in an attempt to catch computer users off guard. With the pressure to have gifts arrive before Christmas, during the shopping season, scammers hope you will not pay attention and click on that link. If you receive one of these emails slow down and look closely at the email.

Look for an order number, or other information that can be used to look up an order. If you think the email is legitimate, don’t click on the link. Open the company’s web site in your browser and look up your order information.

Also, any emails that you receive that are spam, add them to your junk mail folder in your email application such as Outlook.

This spam has been seen nationwide, although I have not seen any reports of it showing up locally as yet. If you receive this email please let me know.

Krebs on Security:

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/12/be-wary-of-order-confirmation-emails/#more-28907

 

Ransomware- A virus that has been seen locally is the Crpytolocker Virus that is a form of “ransomware.” The virus encrypts all of your files on your hard drive so that you cannot access them. The solution is to contact the perpetrator of the virus and pay him to decrypt your files. This can cost as much as $1,000 with no guarantee that you will get access to your files back.

Apparently, this virus spreads across networks and externally attached devices. To protect yourself:

• Be sure that your Antivirus and Anti-Malware software is updated regularly and running.
• Make regular backups of your files.
• Be sure that if you use external devices that they can be unplugged.
• Back up your files to a cloud server.
• Don’t open email attachments or links from sources that you do not know.

 Thanks to Computer Concepts in Bothell for the tip- http://www.computerconceptsbothell.com/

 

 

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS- DXM Abuse

The Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force has warned that Snohomish County schools are seeing an increase in Dextromethorphan (DXM) abuse. DXM is found in over the counter cough and cold medicines. In prescribed doses DXM is safe. However, in higher doses, DXM can produce euphoria and dissociative effects (you feel like you are detached from your body). Abuse can cause numbness, loss of coordination, and increased blood pressure.

Teens can turn to cough syrups for a high since they are readily available in home medicine chests and can be purchased over the counter without needing a prescription. This easy access contributes to law enforcement and health officials concern about prescription and non-prescription drugs in the home.

If you are a parent of a teen, review the information about cough and cold medicine abuse at:

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/cough-and-cold-medicine-dxm-and-codeine-syrup

For more information about the Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, go to:

http://www.srdtf.org/

https://www.facebook.com/631847773519575/photos/a.633571090013910.1073741828.631847773519575/755344441169907/?type=1&fref=nf

 

 

 

CAR THEFT- What Not To Do

Don’t make your car an easy target for car thieves. The Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force recently saw this unattended truck, with the engine running, parked in front of a 7-11 in Marysville.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Crime Prevention Newsletter

The latest issue of the Sheriff’s Office’s “Partners in Crime Prevention” has been issued. It has a message from Sheriff Trenary and holiday shopping safety tips.

 

SHERIFF’S OFFICE:

http://wa-snohomishcounty.civicplus.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=4071

 

 

LYNNWOOD- Package Theft

Earlier this week, KIRO-TV News ran a video of a package theft from the front porch of a Lynnwood home.  It clearly shows how easy it can be for a thief to take a recently delivered package.

The high volume of online shopping and delivery of package before Christmas increases the opportunity for thieves to steal packages from home front porches.

There are some things you can do to deter or prevent package theft.

·       Long time readers of this blog understand the benefits of keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. If a vehicle looks like it is following a UPS, FEDEX, or Postal Service truck, that is worth a call to 911, with the license number and a description of the vehicle, and, if possible, a description of the occupants.

·       Follow the package’s progress on the web site of the carrier or with a package tracking app on your phone.

·       Insure the contents of the package.

·       Alert a trusted neighbor- ask them to retrieve the package and give it to you when you get home.

·       Have it delivered to your place of work.

·        Require a signature- If you are not at home, the drivers will not leave the package at the door. The delivery service will try to deliver the package in a few days or you can pick it up at a nearby distribution center.

·       Have it held at the post office, or FEDEX or UPS distribution facility for pick up.

 

KIRO-TV:

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/christmas-tree-stolen-front-porch/njJ4K/

 

 

 

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Scams, Scams and More Scams

Local law enforcement agencies continue to warn citizens about scams targeting local victims.

The Mukilteo Police Department is warning its citizens about a warrant scam. Scammers tell potential victims that they have a warrant out for their arrest and that they need to pay or be arrested.

The Snohomish Police Department told The Herald about the “mystery shopper” scam. A Snohomish man recently brought in materials to the police department that he had received urging him to participate as a mystery shopper. The man did not fall for the scam.

Scammers contact potential victims via email or a letter. The potential victims are sent a bogus check for their efforts and to cover “expenses.” But, they are told the check is for more than their “pay and expenses.” They are asked to send the overpaid amount to the scammer via Green-dot prepaid cards. So, if you play along with the scammer and deposit the check, the total funds will be available to you in a few days. You send in the overpaid amount to the scammer and pocket the rest. But, the bummer comes when the bank discovers that the check you deposited is fake, and then turns to you to reimburse them for the total of the check. The scammer has your money and you have no way to find the scammer.

The Herald posted a copy of instructions for a potential mystery shopper. The first order of business is to deposit the check and get cash. As you go through this transaction at the bank, you are asked to evaluate your teller and give the name and address of the bank, the name of the cashier, your evaluation of the “smartness and professionalism of the cashier,” and how long the transaction took to complete. And, you are warned to not to tell the cashier that you are a secret shopper.

The next order of business is to go to a Rite Aid, 7-Eleven, or CVS store to get 4 $500 Green-dot Cards. And here comes your next mystery shopper assignment, evaluate the performance of the clerk who helped you.

In this example, the check that was sent to you totaled $2,380. The scammer says that you can keep $380 ($300 for your pay, $50 for transportation, $30 for taking out the Green-dot card). The scammer expects you to send him $2,000.

Now, the scammer wants you to send him a full report of your shopping experience at the bank, to include the 14 digit pin numbers of the 4 Green-dot cards by email. There is no address, physical or post office box, to send the cards to. It’s all done by email or phone. No way to find where the scammer actually lives.

The easiest thing for you to do if you receive an email or letter like this is to ignore it, do not click on any links or attachments. Report the email or letter to the Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office and to the Federal Trade Commission.

The Herald:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20141202/NEWS01/141209859

Federal Trade Commission:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0053-mystery-shopper-scams

 

Since the beginning of this year local and state law enforcement agencies have been warning citizens of scam after scam. These scammers take advantage of just about any situation that they can find. Natural disasters such as the landslide at Oso, tragedies such as Marysville-Pilchuck have been prime targets in Snohomish County. But holidays, like the Christmas gift buying season are also prime times for scammers to take your money. The AARP recently posted a listing of holiday scams to be aware of. For than list, go to:

AARP:

http://blog.aarp.org/2014/11/26/seasons-cheatings-get-wise-to-holiday-shopping-scams/?cmp=SN-TWTTR-WA&sf34235184=1

 

SHERIFF’S OFFICE SUSPECTS OF THE WEEK- Burglary Suspects

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two male suspects who stole a 36” Samsung flat screen TV from a Snohomish condominium on First St. around 1am on Friday, November 21. The burglars used a light colored passenger car with a sunroof for transport.

While most residential burglaries still occur in the middle of the day, this is a reminder that they can also occur at night. The Sheriff’s Office does not offer any details on how the burglars enter the condo or if the residents were inside asleep, but this incident is a good reminder to lock your doors (and windows) when you are away from your home and when you retire for the evening. Also, if you have an alarm, set it to “stay” when you go to bed. This way, if anyone does break into your home while you are asleep, your alarm will sound, alerting you and scaring the burglars.

If you have any information about these suspects please call the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Tip Line at (425) 388-3845.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff