You may be eligible for a cash reward for tips leading to the apprehension of Kent's Most Wanted. Call Kent County Crime Solvers at 410-778-4444.

Crime Prevention Tips

Preventing Theft's from Vehicle's

• Install a vehicle alarm or mechanical lock for the steering wheel or ignition.
• Always lock the doors and leave the windows rolled up.
• Always activate any auto alarms or anti-theft devices.
• Keep books, tape players, and other valuables out of sight. Expensive items in full view invite theft even if the vehicle is locked. Don't advertise the types of equipment you have in your vehicle.
• Place valuable items in your trunk not the front or back seats.
• Know the license number, year, make and model of your vehicle.
• Do not leave money, checkbooks, or credit cards in the vehicle at any time.

Preventing Bicycle Theft's

• Keep bicycles locked any time they are unattended with a good "U" type lock. Second choice would be a good casehardened padlock and cable. Be sure the "U" lock or cable goes through the front wheel, rear wheel and the frame, and secure it to a fixed object.
• Check the lock by pulling on it to make sure it is secure.
• Use an engraver to place an identifying mark on unpainted major bicycle components.
• Be sure to retain all evidence of purchase, including the serial number.
• Be able to identify the bicycle.. not only by its color, but also by its features.
• Have one or more close up color photographs of the bicycle on hand.
• Register the bicycle in the Department of Public Safety and Police or County Police registration program.
• Never loan your bicycle or other property to strangers.
• Try to avoid parking a bicycle in a deserted or poorly lit area.

Preventing Thefts from Offices

• Don't become complacent. Be aware! Be attentive.
• Don't showcase your office.
• Close and lock your office when it is not occupied. It only takes seconds for a thief to notice an unoccupied office, walk in and put something in a book bag.
• Lock your desk, file cabinet, locker, etc.
• Don't leave your purse in that last or bottom drawer of your desk (thieves know it's there).
  

Identity Theft

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft was the number one fraud complaint during calendar year 2008. And limiting your use of your personal computer may not help much: a study released by Javelin Strategy and Research reported that in 2009 most identity thefts were taking place offline, not online -- just the opposite of what many folks might think. One other troubling finding: the study found that 43 percent of all identity thefts are committed by someone the victim knows.

It's in the newspapers every day and on the news every night. People worry that someone will run up charges on their credit card or fleece their bank account while their back is turned. There is reason to worry. All a thief needs is your Social Security number to commit identity theft. This crime is relatively easy to commit, but investigating and prosecuting it is complex and time-consuming. But once you know the facts and some preventive measures you can take, you can win the fight against identity theft!

Identity thieves commit their crime in several ways:

• They steal credit card payments and other outgoing mail from private, curbside mailboxes.
• They dig through garbage cans or communal dumpsters in search of cancelled checks, credit card and bank statements, and preapproved credit card offers.
• They hack into computers that contain personal records and steal the data.
• They file a change of address form in the victim's name to divert mail and gather personal and financial data.

Tips

• To guard against identity theft, never give out your Social Security number. Treat it as confidential information.
• Commit all passwords to memory. Never write them down or carry them with you.
• When using an ATM machine, make sure no one is hovering over you and can see you enter your password.
• When participating in an online auction, try to pay the seller directly with a credit card so you can dispute the charges if the merchandise does not arrive or was misrepresented. If possible, avoid paying by check or money order.
• Adopt an attitude of healthy skepticism toward websites that offer prizes or giveaways. Chances are, all that’s been “won” is the opportunity to buy something you didn’t want in the first place.
• Choose a commercial online service that offers parental control features.
• Tell your children never to give out their address telephone number password school name or any other personal information.
• Make sure your children know to never agree to meet face-to-face with someone they’ve met online without discussing it with you. Only if you decide that it’s okay to meet their “cyber-friend” should they arrange to meet this person, and then the meeting should be in a familiar public place in the presence of a trusted adult.
• Tell your children never to respond to messages that have bad words, are scary, or just seem weird.
• Tell your children never to enter an area that charges for services without asking you first.
• Tell children never send a picture of themselves to anyone without your permission.
• Make sure that access to the Internet at your children’s school is monitored by adults.