Crime Prevention

These simple steps can help protect your home:

• shrubs that are cut below window level
• tree limbs that are cut above window level
• address that is visible from the street and at night
• use timers for indoor lights if not home
• tamper-proof motion sensor lights at entrances and garage
• doors and windows that are secured and locked at all times

Home Security tips from the RCMP

Don't:

• Leave anything in your vehicle
• Leave your keys in the car
• Keep spare keys in the vehicle
• Leave garage door opening in vehicle - this can lead the thief to your residence.

Do:

• Park in secure, well-lit areas
• Use an anti-theft device
• Lock your car
• Hide anything you might leave in the vehicle

Resources

RCMP

ICBC

Common types of identity theft:

• Mail theft
• Garbage (someone looking through your garbage or recycling)
• Wallet and purse theft
• ATM fraud
• Online (phishing scams etc.)

If you think you are a victim of identity theft:

1. Notify your bank or credit card company immediately.
2. Contact Equifax at 1-800-465-7166.
3. Contact Trans Union at (800) 663-9980.
4. Request a fraud alert be placed on your credit record.
5. Contact your local police.
6. Contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre.
7. Record the dates and times of what you do and whom you speak with.

Resources and Tips

RCMP

Identity Theft and Fraud

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

• it sounds too good to be true
• you must pay or you can't play
• you must give them your private financial information
• you are asked to wire transfer money
• you are asked to pay with gift cards

For your protection:

• Do not rush into something involving your money or your property.
• Never give your credit card numbers or any other personal information out over the phone, unless you are absolutely sure of who you are dealing with.
• Do not hesitate to check the credentials of a salesman or public official.

If you receive a suspicious phone call or email from someone claiming to be from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) - question it! Canadians lose millions of dollars each year through various CRA scams.

Frauds and Scams prevention from the RCMP.

Always keep your bike locked in public areas!

• High end mountain bikes are often taken from the back of trucks of vehicle bike racks in parking lots. Keep them locked to the vehicle.
• Make sure you have a photo of your bike and record its serial number.
• At a residence, make sure the bike is stored in a secure, locked area.

Project 529

Register your bicycle for free with Project 529, the bike registration program, operated in partnership with the RCMP.

You can register your bike for free in less than five minutes at project529.com.

Protect your bike from theft tips from the RCMP

These tips are based on a method called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which works by removing opportunities for criminals.

• Employee safety - provide ongoing safety training to employees
• Visible business name and address - (minimum height of 12 cm and be visible at night)
• Post warning signs, eg Property Under Surveillance, Trespassers will be prosecuted, No cash left on site, etc.
• Clear Sight lines - reduce concealment opportunities- keep shrubs trimmed, remove rubbish from property boundary
• External Lighting - keep surrounding of building and entrance well-lit, removing excuses to loiter.
• Internal Lighting - keep limited number of internal lighting on at night
• Install monitored intruder alarm
• Install digital surveillance cameras in and around business and test it regularly
• Glass protection - reinforce glass doors and windows with security film, window bars or roll down shutters
• Prevent PIN pad and ATM tampering - keep terminals out of sight, know where your PIN pads are at all times.

Shoplifting Prevention

• Regularly check surveillance systems to ensure it is working
• Train employees on what to look for and to talk to customers
• Ensure areas are clutter-free for good sight lines
• Place check out at front of the store
• If possible, keep merchandise away from exits
• Keep expensive items locked up.
• Monitor dressing rooms and washrooms
• Call police for every theft attempt, no matter the value

Protecting your Business tips from RCMP