Protect yourself – Discourage Theft – Don’t Be a Victim
While we don’t want to realize it, a great deal of crime, particularly theft, is actually encouraged by ourselves and here are some common sense tips you can do to help discourage some types of crime against you, as much as possible. Don’t be a victim!
Outgoing Mail
If you live in an apartment or condominium and there is a space to leave outgoing mail for the mailman to pick up, don’t be stupid enough to leave anything in there. Same applies for private mailboxes in Houses. You’ll be amazed how many people leave Netflix DVDs overnight for anyone to pick up as well as checks, etc. where anyone can just pocket these things. Just drop them off yourself in a Post Box.
UPS Deliveries/USPS Deliveries Etc.
Whether you have a package sent to you or you’re sending it out, specify to the delivery service or the place you ordered the item from, that it must be delivered to the door and signed for. If you’re using regular mail write on the package do not leave in front of door – I basically suggest you use or take insurance. You’ll be amazed at how many stupid people delivering packages will leave your package in front of your door or in the lobby or in front of your house where anyone can steal them.
If Selling Online Do Not Let the Buyer Come to Your Residence to Pick It Up or View What You’re Selling
This is an invitation to get robbed or worse. A few times people wanted to come to my residence to check out a TV and Stereo stuff I was selling and I said, if you email me your Drivers License right now and a phone number, OK and of course they never did. At least with that info, you could see if they had a criminal record and you know who you would be dealing with. This may seem paranoid but I’d rather be paranoid and alive then mellow and dead.
Give Them a $1 Bill Late At Night and Don’t Stop Think of this as a Toll
This actually comes under potential robbery or worse not theft. If you’re walking in a bad area in the day time or in a decent area at night without many people around, if someone asks you for money, don’t get in a discussion or argument, just hand them a dollar or 2 that you should have loose in your pocket so you don’t have to take out your wallet or look for, and just keep walking without looking back or making eye contact or saying anything.
You lost your keys
If you lose your keys in your building or some place with something that could identify where the keys are from (i.e. lets say you lost your keys and a wallet), if they’re not returned to you via your building manager, etc., within 2 hours, immediately change all your locks. You’ll be amazed how many people leave their keys on the mailbox or outside their door.
You Lost Your Wallet
If somehow you’re 100% sure you’ve lost your wallet, immediately contact every credit card company if you’ve had cards in your wallet, other important cards or info as well as the police. No the police are probably not going to find your wallet or but someone might commit a crime and leave some of your personal info at the scene of the crime and its easier to be paranoid and prevent the police from giving you the riot act ahead of time. Have copies of all your credit card records at home in a secure place.
You Mention to People You Don’t Know Things of Value You Have or Just Bought
I’m guilty of this myself, but how often have you discovered yourself getting into an elevator with packages of things of value your just bought and mentioning them to someone you don’t know or don’t know very well. Chances are nothing is going to happen but there’s always the chance it will.
You leave your door unlocked or window open if you’re on the second floor or less
This is just common sense. I’m not going to add anything to this.
You leave clothes in a buildings washer or dryer
I’ve actually had my empty laundry basket stolen. Think about it! I recommend you bring some reading material down and stay till your clothes are washed and dried.
You Leave Things on Your Bike or Scooters Basket and You Don’t Chain Lock it Even if You’re Gone 2 Minutes
Self Explanatory
You Have A Party At Your House and People You Don’t Know Show Up
Not fun but asking for trouble. I don’t have anyone I don’t know ever in my place.
Everything I mentioned and I’m sure I’ve left out quite a bit are common sense things that can help you avoid trouble with little effort. As I said, there’s some things you can’t stop no matter what but at least you can try and discourage crime against you.
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