Purse Snatch

DO NOT..... carry a bag that makes you a target. A bag that dangles from the shoulder can easily be yanked off your shoulder by someone coming up from behind.

DO NOT..... carry your bag in such a manner that you can't let it go if you have to. Many women have been injured because their own bags acted as handcuffs as a purse snatcher yanked it away.

DO..... be aware of your surroundings and carry your bag close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow.

DO..... minimize the amount of money and credit cards that you carry with you on a daily basis. Divide your money between pockets and bags.

IF..... you are the victim of a purse snatch do not fight to hold onto your bag, especially if there is a weapon involved.

Coming Home Late at Night

1. Avoid shortcuts that are not well traveled or well lit.

2. Know what stores are open in your neighborhood late at night. If you suspect that you are being followed stay away from lonely blocks and head for the store you know to be open - if it's a bar, do not hesitate to go in.

3. If someone drops you off at home by auto, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside.

4. If a motorist bothers you while you are walking, turn around and walk in the opposite direction of the car. Do this as often as necessary and he should get discouraged.

At Home You Should:

1. Have your key ready before you get to the front door.

2. Make sure your entrance area is well lighted.

3. If you live in an apartment, don't be polite and hold the lobby door open for a stranger who has been waiting.

4. List only your last name and first initial in your mailbox.

5. Don't buzz someone inside unless you know them.

6. If a stranger wants to use your phone for any kind of call from business to emergency........keep him out and you make the call for them! Any problems or in doubt? Call the police!

7. If you arrive home and find your door open, DO NOT GO INSIDE. Call the police from a pay phone or neighbors house and ask them to meet you.

8. Don't get on the elevator with a stranger if your own good judgement warns you against it - need an excuse to avoid embarrassment, say something like; "Oh I forgot my mail."

If You Are the Victim of Rape

1. Report crime immediately to Police. Call 911.

2. Do not wash of douche.

3. Have a medical exam and internal gynecological exam as soon as possible accompanied by a police officer preferably.

A. Inform doctor of exact acts committed upon you and have him note any medical evidence of them.
B. Semen smears must be taken by the doctor.
C. Doctor should note any bruises or injuries (bleeding, lacerations, etc.) external and internal.
D. Have the doctor test for venereal diseases (and pregnancy later if relevant).

4. Inform the police of all details of attack, however intimate, and of anything unusual you may have noted about the attacker. Remember, what he said and how he said it may lead to his arrest.

5. Show police any external bruises or injuries however minor, resulting from the attack. Also show them to a friend or relative who might be available as a corroborative witness at the trial.

6. Give the undergarments to the police (for semen analysis).

7. Give any torn or stained clothing to the police.

8. When calm, make note of the events of the attack, unusual details, etc.

At Home

• Equip your door with a deadbolt or dropbolt lock. The lock should also have a highly pick-resistant cylinder protected by a guard plate.
• The peephole should be of the wide-angle type, which gives a fuller view of the outside area.
• Do not open door until you are sure of the identity of your visitor(s).
• Always double lock door when leaving, even to put out trash, pick up mail or walk dog.
• Do not leave house key under mat, in mailbox or in any other area near door.
• If on returning you find door open or tampered with, do not enter. Leave immediately and notify police.
• If you lose your keys or they are stolen, replace lock cylinders immediately.
• For fire escape windows the Fire Department-approved 'ferry' gates are recommended. Any key-operated gate is against the law on fire escape windows.
• A licensed locksmith will show you a variety of window locks that are available for all types of windows.
• If awakened at night by an intruder, lie still, try not to panic, and at first opportunity, call police.
• Don't volunteer any information to unknown callers on the telephone.

On the Street

• Travel and shop with companions whenever possible during the daytime as well as nighttime. There is greater safety in numbers.
• If possible avoid carrying a pocketbook. When carrying a pocketbook, keep keys and cash in garment pockets or hidden elsewhere on your person.
• When walking, and especially when shopping, hold your pocketbook at all times and keep your hand on the clasp to foil pickpockets.
• In the theatre or when dining, keep your pocketbook on your lap. Do not place it on the floor, or on another seat, or on the back of a chair.
• Take only necessary items when going out. Leave charge cards at home unless you intend to use them. Carry only the cash needed, not more. Keep all personal papers in a safe place at home or in a safe deposit box at your bank.
• If your pocketbook is snatched, let it go. DON'T FIGHT FOR IT. Anything in it worth fighting for shouldn't be there in the first place.

When Walking

The over-65 age group has the highest number of pedestrian fatalities; the 45-64 age group has the second highest. It is therefore particularly important for the older person to observe basic safety laws.

• Never cross against the light.
• Cross at the corner, never between parked vehicles or in the middle of the block. Stay within crosswalk.
• Watch for cars turning into crosswalk. Before crossing, make certain all cars have stopped.
• Never assume the driver will see you or be able to stop in time. Your safety is your responsibility.

Confidence Games

"Con artists" are smooth-talking criminals who aim to separate you from your money through trickery and deceit. They can be men or women working alone or in pairs or groups. They may stop you on the street or call on the phone or ring your doorbell. They may pretend to be repairmen, or building inspectors or assume any other identity. There are many different kinds of confidence games. To avoid becoming a victim:

• Beware of friendly strangers offering goods and services at low prices.
• Beware of friendly strangers who tell you they found money and want to share it with you.
• Be suspicious of telephone calls from persons claiming to be bank officials who ask you to withdraw money from your account for any reason. Banks communicate in writing on business transactions
• Be alert to any scheme that involves removing your savings or other valuables from safekeeping and turning them over to anyone.
• Be suspicious of fortune tellers, "readers", "advisors", etc. If you are asked to turn over money or valuables, notify the police.
• Don't hesitate to notify police of any suspicious circumstances.
• Remember, YOU DON'T GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING.

Fake IRS Identify Theft

The Internal Revenue Service warns consumers to beware of identity theft scams that use the IRS name, logo or website to try to convince taxpayers that the scam is an actual communication from the IRS or another federal agency. Identity thieves often pose as a government, financial or business institution or official to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information, such as credit card or bank account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers and more.

The scammers use the data to steal financial accounts, run up charges on the victim's existing credit cards, apply for loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim's name, and even file fake tax returns. These scams may take place through e-mail, fax or phone. The e-mail versions are called "phishing." You should know that the IRS does not discuss tax account matters with taxpayers by e-mail.

In the most common type of scam seen by the IRS, a bogus e-mail, which claims to be from the IRS, tells you that you are eligible to receive a tax refund for a given amount. The message instructs you to click on a link to access and complete a form for the refund that requires you to enter personal and financial information. Recent variations on this scam have claimed to come from the Exempt Organizations area of the IRS; others have included the name and purported signature of a genuine or made-up IRS executive. In fact, taxpayers do not have to complete a special form to obtain refunds, which are based on the tax returns that they submit to the IRS.