BURGLAR ALARMS- False Alarms Can Take Away from Sheriff’s Resources

A Burglar alarm system can give a homeowner peace of mind by alerting you, your neighbors or your alarm company about an intrusion into your home. Burglar alarms, being equipment, can fail and cause a false alarm.

You may have seen that last week the Everett City Council has reinstituted penalties for false alarms within the city of Everett. Police statistics show that more than 90% of about 5,000 alarm calls were false alarms. While homeowners should rightfully expect deputies to take all alarm calls seriously, responding to false alarms, especially if a property repeatedly sends false alarms, can take scarce resources away from other more pressing calls.

In the last two years, about 30% of the alarm calls for service that Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to were false alarms. In 2018, the Sheriff’s Office received 7,716 alarm calls for service, 32% were false alarms. In 2017, the Sheriff’s Office received 8,391 alarm calls for service, 30% were false alarms.

Snohomish County does levy fines for false alarms. The first false alarm in a 12-month period is not susceptible for a fine. You are susceptible to fines if you have more than one false alarm within a 12-month period.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends the following to help prevent false alarms,

·         Create a code that you can remember. The majority of false alarms are due to users entering the wrong code.

·         Pets often set off alarms. Consider using “Pet friendly” or “pet immune” sensors.

·         Be sure to shut (and lock) all or your windows and doors before activating your alarm system. And before you open any windows or doors, deactivate your alarm.

·         Alert house guests to your alarm system if they will be staying with you for a while.

·         Talk to your alarm company if you suspect your equipment is faulty. Most false alarms are due to human error, but, faulty equipment can cause problems.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://snohomishcountywa.gov/2963/False-Alarms


The Herald:

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/everett-council-implements-false-alarm-fine/

SCAMS- The Elderly Can be a Target

Anyone, of any age, can become a victim of a scam. Older Americans can be good targets for scammers, however.

Older people have accumulated wealth in their investments and retirement accounts. People 50 and older have 83% of America’s wealth.

Older people are more likely to live alone. Some may talk to strangers to relieve loneliness.

The cognitive ability of people is assumed to decline as they get older. An obvious example is dementia. But some scientific studies have proposed a theory, age associated financial vulnerability, that says that an older person who seems to be “high functioning” may be susceptible to financial scams. One element may be that they lose their “Spidey sense” or gut feeling that warns that a situation is dangerous or trouble. Combined with a sense of fear that scammers try to instill in their victims the vulnerability of a victim may increase.

To assume that this vulnerability automatically increases with age is unfair. People age differently, some may not decline mentally as fast as others. So, there may not be a one size fits all solution.

With or without mental decline, there are things that you can do to help an older relative, or any relative stay away from a scam.

Isolation is a scammers friend. As a family member of an older person keep in contact with your older relatives. This is especially true for someone who has lost a partner to death or divorce. As you get older, try to keep in contact with your family and friends.

As a family member:

·         Have a talk with your older family member. Ask the following questions,

o   As you get older, what are your spending priorities?

o   Do you know what a scam looks like? What would you do if a stranger contacted you asking for money?

o   Who do you trust to help you, and how often would you like them to check in with you about your finances?

o   If your financial decision-making starts to get rocky, what do you want loved ones to do?

·         Scam victims often feel embarrassed. If a relative, or a friend, tells you that they have been scammed, try to be nonjudgmental and empathetic.

·         Discuss scams that you have heard about. That will prepare your older loved one in case they are targeted.

·         Scammers frequently share contact information for victims that they feel are especially vulnerable. If your older loved one constantly receives phone calls, consider encouraging them to change their phone number and or their email address.

·         Victims of scams often do not realize that they are being scammed. If you are trying to convince someone that they are being victimized, consider creating a spreadsheet accounting for all the money that they have paid to the scammer.

·         If the victim is an older person, you can report the suspected crimes to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration.

Things that you can do to protect yourself as you get older include,

·         If a stranger calls you with an urgent request, such as a grandchild is in trouble or a prize needs to be claimed immediately, stop, and tell them you need time to consider it or you need to talk to a family or friend.

·         Don’t send or wire money to anyone you do not know. Scammers frequently demand payment with Google Play, iTunes, Amazon and other gift cards. Governments do not demand immediate payment with gift cards.

·         Talk to people that you trust about your financial goals and needs.

·         Consider granting a power of attorney to someone you trust for making financial decisions.

·         As a check on the person who you have granted power of attorney, consider a third party to check on your finances.

·         If you are a victim of a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission, FBI, and or your local police department. Any information that you provide can help them prosecute scammers.

American Public Media’s Marketplace podcast recently aired a series on scams and the elderly called “Brains and Losses.” Here are links to that series,





Marketplace:

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/17/brains-and-losses-part-i/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/20/brains-and-losses-part-ii/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/21/brains-and-losses-part-iii/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/22/brains-and-losses-part-iv/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/23/brains-and-losses-part-v/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/24/brains-and-losses-part-vi/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/17/where-to-find-more-information-on-elder-financial-vulnerability/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/16/brains-losses-top-financial-scams-2018/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/16/brains-losses-aging-fraud-financial-scams-seniors/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/16/brains-losses-avoiding-financial-scams-online-tech/



https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/16/brains-losses-protect-yourself-financial-scams-guide/



Here is how to have “the talk” about financial scams:

https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/16/brains-losses-protect-seniors-financial-scams-how-to-talk/



Here is information about adult abuse and prevention from the Washington State DSHS,



Aging and Long-Term Support Administration:

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/adult-abuse-and-prevention





Identity Theft Resource Center:

https://www.idtheftcenter.org/help-my-parent-or-friend-is-the-victim-of-a-scam/

PREVENTION TIP- What to do if You Think Someone is Following You

While you are driving you might think that you are being followed. You might fear road rage, a robbery attempt or a domestic violence situation. The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office offers the following advice if you think that you are being followed,

·         Don't panic! It may cause you to drive recklessly. Stay calm and keep a clear mind.

·         Lock your doors and roll up your windows.

·         Call 911!

·         Do not drive home. Drive to a well-lit area and stay on frequently traveled roads.

·         Continue to drive. Do not stop or exit your vehicle.

·         Turn on your hazards. This will draw attention to a witness and create easier identification for law enforcement.

It may seem logical to head to a police or a fire station, however, the Sheriff’s Office points out that police stations may not be staffed with commissioned personnel and after business hours, may not be staff at all. Fire stations may not have anyone around if the crews are out on calls.



Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.facebook.com/SnoCoSheriff/photos/a.318645198209560/2799371370136918/?type=3&theater

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Boating Safety

The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office has posted the latest issue of its crime prevention newsletter. This issue concentrates on the Sheriff’s Office’s Marine Unit and boating safety.









Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6177

SCAM ALERT- Everett PD Warns of Gift Card Scams

The Everett Police Department has issued an alert to its citizens about an increase in scammers calling victims claiming to be from the government (usually the IRS) demanding immediate payment in gift-cards or else the victim will be arrested.

Over the past few years there has been an increase in publicity about various scams and frauds that use the telephone and internet to victimize people. The usual recommendation is to just hang up if you receive one of these phone calls. That is simple enough. And most people who receive these calls probably do that, a bit annoyed at receiving the call. But scammers do not need a high percentage of people to fall for their schemes to make money on these crimes.

The Everett PD warning shows that scammers are still active and are affecting your neighbors. It gave two examples of scams that recently victimized Everett citizens:

·         A Safeway store manager refused to issue a Google Play gift card when he found out that a 74 year old woman had been called by someone claiming to be from the IRS and saying that she owed $75,000 and needed to pay “today” or else she would be arrested and jailed.

·         In another case, an Everett citizen was told by a scammer that the government owed the citizen $10,000 in refunds. The citizen paid $1,500 for “transaction fees” with Google Play gift cards. Over several weeks, the scammer convinced the citizen to pay “additional fees’ totaling $60,000 which would allegedly increase the amount of the refund.

To a logical observer, these incidents may seem foolish. The victims should have known better. But scammers try to get their victims emotional, often called under the “ether,” so that the victim is not thinking critically or logically. They may use fear as in the first example or get the victim excited at receiving a big windfall as in the second example. Everett PD points out that many scammers start out nice then become aggressive, threatening and rude. And they only need a few people to fall under the ether to make money.

While most of us are probably aware of these scams there still may be some in your family or neighborhood who do not know that they could be victimized. Please let a family member or a neighbor know that scams occur and that hanging up on them is the easiest way to avoid becoming victimized.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has information about scams and a way to report scams so that investigators nationwide can investigate and charge scammers.

For more information about credit card scams go to https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/10/scammers-demand-gift-cards?fbclid=IwAR0_xMMYDwgkjVqYOVk0X0KVhDXo92L8Kz2CXv6IQ-AUrRSIMX6O2973bh8.



If you become a victim of a scam or identity theft, the FTC has an interactive checklist that you can use to recover at https://www.identitytheft.gov/?fbclid=IwAR2CBea0QWbIdHw13nDF510kedjMHZLcmIhQODdNdy6rEOpeFcX950X_Pl4



Everett Police Department:

https://www.facebook.com/EverettPoliceWA/photos/a.296828390366966/2170849776298142/?type=3&theater

CAR PROWLS- Car Prowlers Are After Your Registration Also

Car prowls seem to be a constant problem throughout Puget Sound. With nicer weather, more car prowls occur with the increased opportunities (more windows left open, more doors left unlocked) for prowlers to steal your stuff. Much of the time the prowlers are looking for anything that they can sell, like laptops, or use in identity theft, like your credit cards.

The King County Sheriff’s Office warns that your registration is also a target. This may seem strange, but your registration can be very useful. If a car prowler sees your car parked at a shopping center, at a movie or event, or at a park and ride, they can get your address and then they can easily find your home to burglarize it while you are gone. And if they take your garage remote, that can make it easier for them to gain entry quietly. Having the information from your car registration can also be used for identity theft schemes.

You may wonder what you should do. We are supposed to have the registration available with the car. That, for most of us means leaving the registration handy in the car in case we are pulled over by a police officer or deputy.

Now you do not have to have the registration in the car. It is now legal to have a copy of your registration in your cell phone and show a deputy the electronic copy of it. That way you can keep your registration in a safe place with your car title. Another solution is to blank out the address on the registration. If you leave the other information available, such as your name and VIN number, a deputy can verify that you own the car.

Also, sometimes car owners will keep the car title with the registration in the car. Never store your car title in the car! This is your proof of ownership and it is used to transfer ownership. If a thief obtains your title, they can forge your name transferring ownership. Keep your title in a safe place at home, such as your safe, or in a safety deposit box at your bank.





KCPQ 13:

https://q13fox.com/2019/05/16/car-break-ins-increase-why-they-may-be-looking-for-your-registration/?fbclid=IwAR3BnuPzv4n5bBiF1feTb_kvn9EY-pqcveDWOzJS3Qmbu0U60uk-mpOJOy0

MOTORCYLCES- Watch Out for Your Fellow Drivers on the Road

With the warmer weather and sunnier skies, more motorcyclists will ride their bikes to enjoy the weather and our roads. Clearly, motorcyclists need to take steps to ensure a safe ride. Non-motorcyclists however can also help to prevent motorcycle crashes by taking the following steps.

·         When making a left turn, look twice for a motorcycle. Motorcycles are difficult to see since they are smaller than most cars and trucks. Vehicles turning in front of motorcycles is the number one cause of fatal crashes for motorcycle riders. So, it is important to look left, look right, then look left for a motorcycle.

·         Don’t crowd a motorcycle. Bikers often need to swerve in their lane to avoid obstacles such as potholes, road kill, oil spots and other road debris. It may not be a big deal for a car or a truck driving over such obstacles but for a biker running over a pothole can mean severe injury.

·         Stay well back of a motorcycle. Motorcycles can stop much quicker than a car can. Bikers do not have the protection around them that car drivers have. Rear ending a motorcycle, even if it seems to be a light tap, can be catastrophic for a biker.

·         Be on the lookout for motorcycles. Make an effort to look for bikers like you make an effort to look for children in a residential area. That way you can help to keep our roads safer.

Drive-Safely.Net:

https://www.drive-safely.net/motorcycle-safety-tips/



If you are a biker, here are some reminders for riding safely,



Geico:

https://www.geico.com/information/safety/motorcycle/riding-tips/