Scam Alerts               Children and the Internet                 Abduction Prevention                

Posted 4/26/06 - Over the past few months there have been a number of attempted and completed burglaries in the Blue Ridge, Fincastle and Troutville areas of the county.  Surrounding localities are having the same problem.  Please practice crime prevention techniques and be observant as to what is going on in your neighborhood.

We are also approaching vacation time when many folks will be away from their home for days or weeks at a time.  

·        Make sure all of your doors and windows are securely locked before you leave your home.

·        If you don’t have deadbolt locks, consider installing them.

·        Keep a radio or television on inside the home when you are gone (or perhaps put one on a timer so that it will come on and off at various times).

·        If you have an alarm system, make sure it is working properly.

·        Don’t leave keys under the mat, flowerpot or other obvious locations (locksmiths sell a device similar to realtor boxes that you can keep outside if you are afraid of being locked out of your home).

·        Keep your blinds/curtains/shades closed so that one cannot see what is inside your home.

·        Join your local Neighborhood Watch Group or start one in your neighborhood.

·        Watch out for your neighbors and report suspicious vehicles immediately to law enforcement.

·        If you are going to be gone for days at a time, make sure you have a trusted individual pick up your mail/newspaper and check your home periodically; leave lights on or on timers to give the appearance that someone is at home at night.

Use caution when seeking loans from sources other than banks.

During the holiday season, people tend to overspend and get in over their heads financially. There are ads in the paper, on television and even on signs posted along the road for loans. Some are legitimate companies, others are not, but most end up costing consumers much more than they bargained for.

In other parts of the state, there have been companies who offered equity loans on homes. Unfortunately, the company listed the home at a much higher value than it was really worth. The homeowner then is allowed to borrow a large amount of money. The company then sells the loan and the homeowner can't pay the loan back. Even if he sells the home, it is usually not enough to pay off the loan.

Other companies may require an "application fee" up front. A lot of these end up being scams, promising the consumer a check for their requested amount at what seems to be a fair interest rate. Usually, the check never arrives. 

Even legitimate companies may require an application fee or they have hidden costs and astronomical interest rates.

Most financial institutions include fees in the loan. Consumers should always check companies through the Better Business Bureau and be leery of those that require an application fee, especially if it is to be mailed out of the country. Consumers can get credit education information from the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Office. American Credit Counselors, a non-profit organization in Roanoke (formerly Consumer Credit Counseling of the Roanoke Valley) can also provide education and assistance with creditors (www.americancredit.org).

REMEMBER:  Most criminals are opportunists.  They will usually go after what they KNOW is there rather than LOOK FOR something to take!

HELP PREVENT BREAK-INS AT YOUR BUSINESS AFTER HOURS--

As in most crimes, the criminal is merely looking for an opportunity.  The business owner can do some very simple things to help reduce the risks of being broken into.

1. Leave a light on inside so that passers by and law enforcement will notice if someone is in the building stirring around.

2. If you have a security system, make sure that it is working properly and turned on.

3. If you use a security camera, again, make sure it is working properly and turned on.  Do not use tapes more than six times as the quality becomes distorted.  Also keep your tapes for at least a week (preferably a month) before reusing them.

4. Do not leave cash in the business, particularly in the cash register.

5. Make sure locks are secured and that you have control of keys to your business.

6. If you see suspicious individuals hanging around or asking questions regarding security and/or closing times, please call the Sheriff's Office with any information regarding individual and/or vehicle descriptions.