ALERT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WORD OF CAUTION !!!!!

Fellow Bloggers,

I wanted to make everyone aware of some recent information that was brought to my attention.

Criminals are finding new, improved, and sneaky ways of committing their crimes and I thought I would share new developments with you.

This is not a joke !!!! Please let your family and friends know so they won't succumb to any of these tactics.

Most of these "incidents" have been reported by surrounding police agencies and passed on to DSP for our benefit. As of this time I have not heard of any of these incidents occurring in the immediate area(s).

1) Reports of recent gang initiations where "pledging members" place a baby car seat, with a fake baby inside, along the shoulder of the roadway. It is usually placed in a secluded area near tree lines. Once the motorist stops (usually women are targeted) to check the car seat the offenders come from a hidden location or woods. The victim is pulled into hiding and assaulted, robbed, and/or raped.

Do Not Stop to check. Note your location and call 911.

2) If you happen to be driving at night and your windshield is struck by eggs, Do Not use your windshield wipers With Water Spray to remove the egg. Water mixed with egg becomes very milky and can cause vision to be blocked by more than 90%. This causes the operator to stop along the roadside and are then robbed by those who threw the eggs.

Do Not use water with wipers and drive to a safe, well lit area to clean up your vehicle. Call 911 to report the incident.

3) Another tactic is used at shopping centers. When the victim returns to there vehicle, and is about to leave, they observe a note taped to the back window. Like most we open the door, with the vehicle running, and go to the rear of the vehicle to investigate the note. While at the back of the vehicle someone slips into your driver's seat and drives away with your car.

Do Not get out of your vehicle and drive to a safe area to remove the note. (Preferably home). Call 911 to report the incident.

4) "Fishing"..... Scam used by thieves to retrieve your credit card/ATM card information. Devices are placed over the card scanning area where you swipe your card. The device looks like it is part of the machine and can be placed on ATMs, convenience store scanners, etc... The offender then removes the device and has all your credit card information. For debit cards they will stand behind you and read your PIN number as you type it in.

Use your card(s) at respectable locations and check the machines' scanning areas before using our card.

5) WalMart Scam.... Register attendants will choose cash back option even though you don't want it. Then pocket the money after you have left the line or pass it to an accomplice in line behind you. Most of us don't check our receipts or bank accounts and probably wouldn't miss 20 or 40 dollars. Bit it adds up if it is done a lot.

Check your receipts.

Be careful out there. There are a lot of bad people waiting to do bad things to the unsuspecting.

In the future I will make sure to pass on any information that may help you in making you and your family more safe.

The Buck