Officer Haag, the Crime Prevention Specialist is available to give talks and presentations. Officer Haag can be reached by phone at 674-7707.

How to Protect Yourself Online

1) Never give any personal information to a person until you get to know them well. Be cautious in doing so even if you feel you know the person.

2) Never post ANY personal information, such as your address or telephone number, on any bulletin boards or newsgroups.

3) Don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you feel uncomfortable doing.

4) If you feel "something" is wrong, it probably is.

5) Never post information about vacation plans.

6) Never give your password to anyone. Online service providers will NEVER ask you for your password. If you receive a message from someone claiming to represent your service provider saying they need your password to verify information, do not give that person any information. Report the incident to your service provider immediately.

7) Do not believe that everyone is who they say they are. It takes time to develop friends online, spend the time.

Telephone Solicitation Fraud/Con Artists/Swindles

It's not always easy to spot con artists. They're smart, extremely persuasive and aggressive. They invade your home through the mail, telephone, they advertise in reputable newspapers and magazines and come to your door.

Say No

If you are offered a deal that sounds too good to be true, chances are that is just the case. It's probably a con game or swindle. Most of us think that we could not be tricked into handing over our hard earned money for "phony" deals. But confidence artists are experts in human psychology and behavior. They know how to gain your confidence with smooth talk and a self-assured manner. Con artists and hustlers prey on victims, like older women, who are not used to making decisions about home repairs, insurance policies, and investments. You cannot recognize a con artist by the way he or she looks or sounds, but you can be on the lookout for the most common consumer frauds.

Home Improvement and Repair Frauds:

The favorite tricks of dishonest firms or individuals include quoting an unusually low price for an expensive job, conducting a "free" inspection that turns up several expensive repairs, or offering to do a job on the spot because the work crew is in the neighborhood.

Always get several estimates for a repair or home improvement job and compare prices and terms .Check to see if there is a charge for estimates.

Ask your friends for recommendations. Ask the firm for references, and check the references given. You may even want to check the firms standing with the Better Business Bureau.

Be suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics.

Pay by check, never with cash, so you may stop payment if dissatisfied with the work. Arrange to make payments in installments: one-third at the beginning of the job, one-third when the work is nearly completed, and the remainder when the job is done.

Get a guarantee on any work that is done.

CALLING FOR YOUR MONEY

Any one with a phone has probably talked to a con artist-someone promoting no-risk investments, offering contest prizes, or asking for donations to a familiar-sounding charity. These swindlers steal credit and phone card numbers, promote bogus services such as job searches, loans. They will try to sell all types of investments, land, gold, stocks, oil and gas leases, rare coins, and stamps.

Never give out personal information such as your social security number, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers over the phone unless you initiated the call and know whom you are talking to.

Be careful of contests, giveaways, sweepstakes, free vacation offers, and cures for illness or aging. Many are scams.

Give only to charities that you know. Ask for identification for both the charity and the solicitor. Find out the charity's purpose, how funds are used and if contributions are tax deductible. If your not satisfied with the answers and feel something is not quite right do not give to the charity.

Should You Become a Victim:

Call your local law enforcement agency and file a formal complaint. Check and see if your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau can help you resolve the complaint. If you think you have been cheated in the mail keep all letters and envelopes and contact your Postal Inspector.

It's up to you to say no. Use common sense and learn about new and old scams. Remember if it sounds to good to be true it probably is. Don't become a victim to con artists and swindlers.