IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION

• IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION

In the past few years not many crimes have increased as rapidly as Identity Theft, with the advances in technology criminals are finding  it easier and easier to get your information. So what can you do? Follow these tips to help protect yourself.

·        Retrieve your mail in a timely manner. If you are going to be away from home for a period of time have the Post Office hold your mail or have someone you trust pick it up.

·        Don’t write down your account numbers

·        Use a secure mailbox when available

·        Shred all financial documents, billing statements and pre-approved credit card offers before throwing them into the trash or recycling bin. Cross cut shredding is the best.

·        Pay bills online through a secure site

·        Memorize all your passwords

·        Examine all of your bank statements and credit statements for suspicious activity

·        Keep your personal information confidential. Only give this information to people you trust in a location where no one else can over hear.

·        Don’t give out your credit card information unless you are on a secure website

·        When at the ATM verify nobody is behind you while you are entering your PIN

·        Minimize the number of identification and credit cards you carry with you. Take only what is necessary in case your wallet or purse is stolen or misplaced.

·        Examine your credit reports from the major credit reporting firms at least once a year looking for any suspicious activity.

So what do you do if you suspect you are the victim of identity theft.

·        Call the Police Department

·        Check your bank accounts

·        Contact your bank and the credit reporting agencies

·        Work with your creditors

If you follow these tips you can help reduce the possibilities of being a victim to identity theft.

SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY

As school starts for another year the Sturgeon Bay Police would like to remind motorists that keeping our children safe in school zones is a top priority. Please help us keep our kids safe by following some of these basic rules:

• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks cross walks pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks; motorists must yield to them when turning.  Stop for pedestrians when making a right-turn-on-red or left-turn on full green, leaving enough room at intersections so that pedestrians can cross safely. 
• Watch the roadway at all times, and always follows the speed limit, which is lowered in designated school zones.
• Remember children are often times unpredictable be on the look out for all pedestrians.   
• It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and children are getting on or off. Motorists approaching from either direction must wait until the red lights stop flashing before proceeding and stop a minimum of 100 feet away.
• The most important thing you can do to protect children in school zones is to slow down.

SAFE AND SOBER

Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Getting behind the wheel after even just one too many drinks can lead to disaster.

Don’t drink and drive, walk home, have a designated driver, or take a taxi. The City of Sturgeon Bay has several taxis which are available twenty-four hours a day to provide you a ride for a fair cost.

If your vehicle is parked down town and you are concerned about it being towed please contact a local Police Officer who can grant you permission to park your vehicle overnight. In conclusion don’t drink and drive it could save your life.