Lock UP and Use your Alarm

We have seen an increase in burglaries over the past year.  In most of our cases, the suspects have easy access to the houses-  through unlocked doors.  To make it worse, the alarms are not being turned on. 

Don't be a victim-  Lock up the house- even if you leave for 5 minutes.  Turn on your alarm system.  Don't leave valuables out- lock them up!!  Put the jewelry in the safe.  We have found that it takes just seconds for these crooks to accomplish the burglary.  Make sure your door locks work- test them.   Open windows are not a good idea, just a push with your hand and the screen pops out.  

It is a good idea to have serial numbers and descriptions of your electronics, cameras and other items kept in a safe place.   The Sheriff offers a free home crime prevention inspection.  Call them if you are interested  (760) 966-3500.   If you have any questions, please give us a call. 

Door to Door Solicitors

Every year, we receive a lot of calls about door to door solicitors.  These are usually young adults that go door to door selling cleaners or magazines.  They begin their pitch by telling you that they are your neighbor and they are trying to win a trip to London (or name the place) and you can help them out.  Then they tell you if they sell so much of a product they earn the points to get to that fantastic place.
So- why not?   Well, they are not legitimate.  the product they sell is inferior or the magazines are over priced and you may not even get them.  Are they your neighbor?  NO!  they are pretty smart- they learn an neighbors name by reading the sign in front of their house or they may of just talked to your neighbor and asked their name.  They look in the local paper for names of local sports teams or organizations and tell you they are raising money for them.  Its all bogus.  Don't fall for it. 
These sales people are from out of state and are bussed around to sell this stuff.  Sometimes these people commit crimes too (surprise).
Our advice is not to buy anything other than Girl Scout Cookies from people at your door.  If you are interested in the product ask for some literature and mail order it.
Door to door sellers have to be licensed by the Sheriff and show a valid Sheriff sales ID.  They also have to have a legitimate form of ID to back this up.  Non profit (charity) sellers should have a Federal Tax ID as well.
If they are fishy- call us, we will check them out.

TRAVELING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON? BEWARE OF IDENTITY THEFT

As the holiday season approaches, the Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect.™ Campaign reminds travelers getting ready to head to crowded airports, train, and bus stations to be vigilant with their electronic devices. While many rely on these devices for travel arrangements, identity thieves may try to take advantage of unsuspecting victims on the go. The holidays are a peak time for traveling and hacking alike - in fact, you are 15 times more likely to have your identity stolen than to have your car broken into. [1]

Two key challenges for travelers are the use of unsecured wireless networks at hotels, airports, and other public venues and the infiltration of smartphones through Bluetooth technology, as cited in USA Today. The hospitality industry is the second highest targeted industry for data breaches, behind financial services.[2] 

Follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your personal information while traveling – and remember: Stop and think before you connect.

•             Avoid announcing travel on social networks.  Limit your chances of being targeted while traveling and protect your home from potential intruders.

•             Password protect your devices. This year, travelers lost 11,000 mobile devices at the busiest U.S. airports, 37.5% laptops and 37.2% tablets or smartphones.[3] 

•             Use a credit card to book travel arrangements and for purchases while traveling. There are laws to limit your liability for fraudulent credit card charges, and you may not have the same level of protection when using your debit card.

•             Turn Bluetooth off if you’re not using it. Cyber criminals have the know-how to pair their Bluetooth device with yours to steal personal information.

•             Be wary of Wi-Fi networks. Only connect over secure networks; checking email, financial accounts, or online shopping over unsecure networks provides an easy gateway for hackers to access your information.

[1] Lifelock

[2] Verizon’s 2010 Data Breach Investigations Report

[3] Credant Technologies

Statue Thefts

We recently had reports of bronze statues being taken from properties.  Thieves take these to try to sell as scrap to recyclers or metal dealers.  These statues are big and heavy- they probably take more than one person to move.    If you see trucks in places they do not belong or suspicious activity, please call us or the Sheriff's Dept.  right away. 

Save The Date

On November 30 at the RSF Senior Center we will be presenting a program on Shams, Scams, and Schemes (plus other crime prevention topics).  The program is at 2:00pm.  Please join us. 
16780 La Gracia- RSF Senior Center

Burglary Prevention

Here are some tips and advice on burglary prevention

1.        Lock the house-  this is really important.  Before you go out, double check the all doors and windows are locked.  Even if you leave for 30 minutes.  We advise against leaving doors and windows open for ventilation.  The best lock is one that is used.  By the way, make sure your locks work.  Have them fixed right away if they don’t.  

2.      Arm your alarm system.  The best alarm system is one that is used.  If it doesn’t work or you are not sure how it works, call your alarm company.  

3.        If you leave for an extended time- tell someone!  That is, tell someone that you trust.  Have them go by the house and check on it.  Tell a trusted neighbor.  Cancel your newspaper.  Leave lights on timers and make the place look like some on is around.  A vacant house is a target.  Call us if you want us to check the house while you are away.  The information on how to do this is on the right hand side of this blog.  

4.       Lock up your valuables.  If you have a safe- use it- and make sure you lock it. 

Write down the serial numbers of your computers, cameras, watches and other items.  If you have something unique- take pictures of it.   If you have sensitive information on your computers, encrypt it or use an off- site storage service like Drop Box.   External hard drives are good, but lock them up.  Your back up is no good if it is taken.   

If you see someone suspicious around your neighborhood, call us or the Sheriff.  Call when you see them.  It is less helpful to call us two days later. 

We do have burglaries, and many times we find that people learn about these tips after the fact.   Don’t be a victim!  Take a couple of minutes to make sure you lock up and turn your alarm on. 

Mountain Lion Spotted- Again

Today at about 1:10 pm a resident in the 15700 blk of Las Planideras saw a Mountain Lion at the back of her property.  The animal was lying down then got up and moved off thru  the canyon behind her house.  The canyon has thick brush and trees.  She was not confronted.  The sighting was reported to Fish and Game.  

 If you should see a mountain lion, you are encouraged to call Fish and Game at 858-467-4257.  If the animal is a threat, call 911.

There are several types of wild animals that live here in Rancho Santa Fe.  Mountain Lions main food source is deer and coyotes.  Eliminating plant species that attract deer help discourage mountain lions from coming into the area. 

Please take precautions – mountain lions are most active at night as well as dusk and dawn.  Do not leave children outside unattended; don’t leave pet food or food that may attract animals outside.  Do not leave animals outside unattended.  Horses should be kept in stalls in the barn.  Be careful when walking/ jogging at dusk and dawn time periods.   If you see a mountain lion- make noise-lots of it.  Yell, scream, and bang on something.  For example, pocket sized air horns are a good way to do that.

If you have any questions please call the Dept of Fish and Game at 858-467-4201  or the RSF Patrol 858-756-4372.