Monthly Archives: January 2020

Mail & Package Thefts – AGAIN!!

Neighborhood Events, Neighborhood Security, Safety

Any of you who have a “Ring” doorbell have probably noticed an increase in mail and package theft being reported.  In several instances when prowlers noticed the “Ring” camera they made an abrupt turn and left. I have to wonder how many saw other security cameras mounted and never even approached the house where they would have been picked up by the “Ring”camera.

Most of the mail thefts appear to have happened at night, but package thefts normally occur during the day.  Unfortunately it is a fact of modern life that many houses are vacant during the day because all of the adults work.  That is when these sorry excuses for human beings come visiting to steal items you have worked to purchase.

In previous post I have made recommendations for avoiding being a victim of these thieves. You might go back and review these.

Dumpster Divers and Recycling Bin Explorers, Paper Shredding Anyone?

Neighborhood Security

I was talking with one of my neighbors when they told me that people had been observed in Manorwood going through the recycling bins.  It occurred to us both that the only reason people would be interested in what was in the recycling bins would be if they were looking for personal information, in order to steal identities.

It seems that every day there are more reports of identity theft. What we throw away in our recycling bin may be just what the identity thief is looking for.

For example, occasionally credit card companies will include a blank check in their credit card statement, to enable their customers to get cash advances simply by filling out the check and cashing it. The check is usually at the end of the statement along with some uninteresting verbiage, and is easy to overlook.  If you happen to throw that check away and along with it a sample of your signature, you may have given an identity thief an early Christmas present.

If you don’t own a paper shredder, perhaps it is time to think about getting one.

[1] Drawbacks – (1) You have got to discipline yourself to take the time to shred documents.  (2)  Shredded paper can no longer be recycled, it must be put in a sealed bag before it is put in the garbage.

[2] Positives – You may just save yourself a LOT of grief (but if you do you’ll probably never know that you escaped the crooks).