Thursday, February 03, 2005
Residential Crime Alert - February 3, 2005
Recent Incidents
Robbery
1-31-05 at the Standard Federal Bank at 390 W. 14 Mile, a Female victim was robbed of her purse, keys and business deposit.
Suspect # 1 is a black male 5’5”, 125 lbs., wearing a Carhartt jacket and jeans.
He got out of the back seat of a stolen white Ford Expedition driven by another black male and approached the victim with his hand in his pocket, implying that he had a gun. The Suspects fled westbound on 14 Mile.
The stolen Ford Expedition was recovered from the rear of 350 E.14 Mile in Madison Heights. It appears that the perpetrators had another vehicle waiting in the lot for them. They were observed fleeing the scene in a light brown older vehicle, possibly a Honda, missing the right front headlight.
Robbery
1-31-05 at the Standard Federal Bank at 390 W. 14 Mile, a Female victim was robbed of her purse, keys and business deposit.
Suspect # 1 is a black male 5’5”, 125 lbs., wearing a Carhartt jacket and jeans.
He got out of the back seat of a stolen white Ford Expedition driven by another black male and approached the victim with his hand in his pocket, implying that he had a gun. The Suspects fled westbound on 14 Mile.
The stolen Ford Expedition was recovered from the rear of 350 E.14 Mile in Madison Heights. It appears that the perpetrators had another vehicle waiting in the lot for them. They were observed fleeing the scene in a light brown older vehicle, possibly a Honda, missing the right front headlight.
Crime Prevention Tip:
If you are confronted with a robbery:
· Remain calm.
· Give the assailant what they want.
· Don’t put yourself in any physical harm.
· Try to remember as much about the perpetrator as possible
o Height
o Weight
o Build
o Clothing
o Facial features
o Anything unique about language usage or voice.
· Always call the Police as soon as it is safe to do so.
· Give as much information about the suspect and the property stolen that you can, including the direction they fled.
If you are confronted with a robbery:
· Remain calm.
· Give the assailant what they want.
· Don’t put yourself in any physical harm.
· Try to remember as much about the perpetrator as possible
o Height
o Weight
o Build
o Clothing
o Facial features
o Anything unique about language usage or voice.
· Always call the Police as soon as it is safe to do so.
· Give as much information about the suspect and the property stolen that you can, including the direction they fled.
Home Invasions and Break and Entering
1-29-05 A home was broken into on Stirling Street while the complainant was sleeping. The suspect is an ex-girlfriend of the resident.
Crime Prevention Tips:
Always lock all entry doors leading into the home.
Ensure all entry doors are outfitted with a single cylinder deadbolt lock with at least a 1’ Bolt.
Security alarms area good secondary layer to augment physical security.
Ensure all entry doors are outfitted with a single cylinder deadbolt lock with at least a 1’ Bolt.
Security alarms area good secondary layer to augment physical security.
Larcenies
On 1-27-05, a garage on Mountain Street was entered and CD’s were stolen
On 1-28-04, a 17 year old at Troy Athens High went through at least three unattended purses and stole $200.00 in cash. He was arrested and admitted the theft.
On -29-05, a locker was entered at the Life Time fitness center and the complainant had his phone, wallet and clothes stolen.
On 1-30-05, a victim inadvertently left her purse at the center court at the Oakland Mall. When she returned to retrieve it, it was gone.
On 2-1-05, a patient had her purse stolen from a closet in her room at Troy Beaumont Hospital. The purse was located in the trash on another floor, missing the credit cards. Several unauthorized charges were made at retail outlets in Shelby Township, Warren and Madison Heights.
Crime Prevention Tip:
Always keep articles of value in a locked cabinet away from public access.
Frauds
On 1-29-05, a victim reported that his Company Speedway credit card was fraudulently used. Purchases totaled $645.45. Many of the charges were at the Speedway gas station at 2980 John R.
On 1-29-05, a victim reported that her purse was stolen from an office in Rochester Hills and her credit card was used at the Walgreen’s on Long Lake in Troy.
On 1-31-05, two checks that had been stolen from a Southfield residence were cashed at the Charter One bank, 55 W Long Lake. The amount of the fraud was $1865.00
On 1-29-05, a victim reported that his Company Speedway credit card was fraudulently used. Purchases totaled $645.45. Many of the charges were at the Speedway gas station at 2980 John R.
On 1-29-05, a victim reported that her purse was stolen from an office in Rochester Hills and her credit card was used at the Walgreen’s on Long Lake in Troy.
On 1-31-05, two checks that had been stolen from a Southfield residence were cashed at the Charter One bank, 55 W Long Lake. The amount of the fraud was $1865.00
Crime Prevention Tips:
Always safe guard you personal information.
Shred all old documents containing any personal information.
Safe guard all credit and debit cards.
Do not leave any checks, credit cards, or debit cards unattended for any length of time.
Identity theft has become very popular among thieves and our best defense is to be on guard and deny them access to our information.
Fatal Crash
On 1-31-05, at approximately 4:30 PM, a vehicle making a right hand turn onto westbound 14 Mile from southbound John R. struck a 70 year-old man and his wife. The victims were attempting to cross 14 Mile, southbound, against a red light. The man was pronounced dead at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital. His wife received minor injuries. The crash is still under investigation. Both victims are from Madison Heights
If you have any information on any of the cases cited
please contact the Troy Police Department.
We have received information from a leader in the A.T.M security industry that ATM “skimming” is happening in the metro Detroit area. This is a procedure in which perpetrators place a card-reading device over the card slot for the ATM machine in order to capture the card information. They may also install a mobile camera system in order to watch the P.I.N. being entered. We have provided their list of the top twenty ATM safety tips for you to use (see below). If you suspect any suspicious activity at any ATM machine call the Police right away. Many of these scam artists do not leave these systems in place very long and it is imperative that the Police get on the case as soon as possible.
The World’s Top Twenty Tips for ATM Use
To enhance the ATM customer experience
Choosing an ATM
Tip 1
Where possible, use ATMs with which you are most familiar. Alternatively, choose well-lit, well-placed ATMs
where you feel comfortable.
Tip 2
Scan the whole ATM area before you approach it.
Avoid using the ATM altogether if there are any suspicious-looking individuals around or if it looks too isolated or unsafe.
Tip 3
Avoid opening your purse, bag or wallet while in the
Queue (line) for the ATM. Have your card ready in your hand before you approach the ATM.
Tip 4
Notice if anything looks unusual or suspicious about the
ATM indicating it might have been altered. If the ATM
appears to have any attachments to the card slot
or keypad, do not use it. Check for unusual instructions
on the display screen and for suspicious blank screens.
If you suspect that the ATM has been interfered with,
proceed to another ATM and inform the bank.
Tip 5
Avoid ATMs which have messages or signs fixed to them indicating that the screen directions have been changed, especially if the message is posted over the card reader.
Banks and other ATM owners will not put up messages directing you to specific ATMs, nor would they direct you to
use an ATM which has been altered.
Using an ATM
Tip 6
Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you
at an ATM, even if your card is stuck or you are
experiencing difficulty with the transaction. You should
not allow anyone to distract you while you are at the ATM.
Tip 7
Check that other individuals in the queue (line) keep
an acceptable distance from you. Be on the look-out for individuals who might be watching you enter your PIN.
Tip 8
Stand close to the ATM and shield the keypad with your
hand when keying in your PIN
(you may wish to use the knuckle of your middle finger
to key in the PIN).
Tip 9
Follow the instructions on the display screen, e.g. do not
key in your PIN until the ATM requests you to do so.
Tip 10
If you feel the ATM is not working normally, press the
Cancel key and withdraw your card and then proceed to another ATM, reporting the matter to your financial institution.
Tip 11
Never force your card into the card slot.
Tip 12
Keep your printed transaction record so that you can
compare your ATM receipts to your monthly statement.
Tip 13
If your card gets jammed, retained or lost, or if you are interfered with at an ATM, report this immediately to the bank and/or police using the help line provided or nearest phone.
Tip 14
Do not be in a hurry during the transaction, and carefully secure your card & cash in your wallet, handbag or pocket before leaving the ATM.
Managing Your ATM Use
Tip 15
Memorize your PIN
(if you must write it down, do so in a disguised manner
and never carry it with your card).
Tip 16
NEVER disclose your PIN to anyone, whether to family member, bank staff or police.
Tip 17
Do not use obvious and guessable numbers for
your PIN like your date of birth.
Tip 18
Change your PIN periodically, and, if you think it may
have been compromised, change it immediately.
Tip 19
Set your daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch at
levels you consider reasonable.
Tip 20
Regularly check your account balance and bank statements and report any discrepancies to your bank immediately.
٭ Please note that you should show the same precautionary
care when using your card(s) at a POS (point of sale) pin pad terminal
in a retail environment or at a restaurant or when conducting
transactions online, telephonically or when writing
cheques (checks) – speak to your bank branch about security
when using these other service delivery channels
On 1-31-05, at approximately 4:30 PM, a vehicle making a right hand turn onto westbound 14 Mile from southbound John R. struck a 70 year-old man and his wife. The victims were attempting to cross 14 Mile, southbound, against a red light. The man was pronounced dead at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital. His wife received minor injuries. The crash is still under investigation. Both victims are from Madison Heights
If you have any information on any of the cases cited
please contact the Troy Police Department.
We have received information from a leader in the A.T.M security industry that ATM “skimming” is happening in the metro Detroit area. This is a procedure in which perpetrators place a card-reading device over the card slot for the ATM machine in order to capture the card information. They may also install a mobile camera system in order to watch the P.I.N. being entered. We have provided their list of the top twenty ATM safety tips for you to use (see below). If you suspect any suspicious activity at any ATM machine call the Police right away. Many of these scam artists do not leave these systems in place very long and it is imperative that the Police get on the case as soon as possible.
The World’s Top Twenty Tips for ATM Use
To enhance the ATM customer experience
Choosing an ATM
Tip 1
Where possible, use ATMs with which you are most familiar. Alternatively, choose well-lit, well-placed ATMs
where you feel comfortable.
Tip 2
Scan the whole ATM area before you approach it.
Avoid using the ATM altogether if there are any suspicious-looking individuals around or if it looks too isolated or unsafe.
Tip 3
Avoid opening your purse, bag or wallet while in the
Queue (line) for the ATM. Have your card ready in your hand before you approach the ATM.
Tip 4
Notice if anything looks unusual or suspicious about the
ATM indicating it might have been altered. If the ATM
appears to have any attachments to the card slot
or keypad, do not use it. Check for unusual instructions
on the display screen and for suspicious blank screens.
If you suspect that the ATM has been interfered with,
proceed to another ATM and inform the bank.
Tip 5
Avoid ATMs which have messages or signs fixed to them indicating that the screen directions have been changed, especially if the message is posted over the card reader.
Banks and other ATM owners will not put up messages directing you to specific ATMs, nor would they direct you to
use an ATM which has been altered.
Using an ATM
Tip 6
Be especially cautious when strangers offer to help you
at an ATM, even if your card is stuck or you are
experiencing difficulty with the transaction. You should
not allow anyone to distract you while you are at the ATM.
Tip 7
Check that other individuals in the queue (line) keep
an acceptable distance from you. Be on the look-out for individuals who might be watching you enter your PIN.
Tip 8
Stand close to the ATM and shield the keypad with your
hand when keying in your PIN
(you may wish to use the knuckle of your middle finger
to key in the PIN).
Tip 9
Follow the instructions on the display screen, e.g. do not
key in your PIN until the ATM requests you to do so.
Tip 10
If you feel the ATM is not working normally, press the
Cancel key and withdraw your card and then proceed to another ATM, reporting the matter to your financial institution.
Tip 11
Never force your card into the card slot.
Tip 12
Keep your printed transaction record so that you can
compare your ATM receipts to your monthly statement.
Tip 13
If your card gets jammed, retained or lost, or if you are interfered with at an ATM, report this immediately to the bank and/or police using the help line provided or nearest phone.
Tip 14
Do not be in a hurry during the transaction, and carefully secure your card & cash in your wallet, handbag or pocket before leaving the ATM.
Managing Your ATM Use
Tip 15
Memorize your PIN
(if you must write it down, do so in a disguised manner
and never carry it with your card).
Tip 16
NEVER disclose your PIN to anyone, whether to family member, bank staff or police.
Tip 17
Do not use obvious and guessable numbers for
your PIN like your date of birth.
Tip 18
Change your PIN periodically, and, if you think it may
have been compromised, change it immediately.
Tip 19
Set your daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch at
levels you consider reasonable.
Tip 20
Regularly check your account balance and bank statements and report any discrepancies to your bank immediately.
٭ Please note that you should show the same precautionary
care when using your card(s) at a POS (point of sale) pin pad terminal
in a retail environment or at a restaurant or when conducting
transactions online, telephonically or when writing
cheques (checks) – speak to your bank branch about security
when using these other service delivery channels
