OTHERS
ROBBERY
defined as the taking of property by the threat of or actual use
of force.
This crime has dropped drastically in New York.
The odds of this happening are remote, unless you cross the line.
What do I mean? If you decide to purchase drugs (and I also mean
marijuana) and venture into an area known for this, your chances
of being mugged increase drastically. I spent 4 years in Robbery,
whenever I had a case of a tourist being robbed the majority of
the time (not in all cases) they eventually told me that they
went to purchase drugs for personal use.
Listen
to your instincts, if you think you are in a bad area, you probably
are.
Avoid groups of rowdy youths.
I'm not going to tell you how to react in the event someone tries
to rob you. However, based on my experience all they want are
your valuables and usually if you turn them over you won't get
hurt. In most of the cases that I have investigated, the people
who usually get hurt or the ones who resist.
THEFT
PARKING CAR
This is a big problem in NYC, people park their cars on the street
and leave packages in the back seat and when they return the window
is broken and their packages are gone. Don't think that you'll
only be gone for a minute and its okay. I've seen this happen
in 30 seconds. It takes only seconds to break a window, grab your
belongings and run off. There are thieves out their watching for
this all the time. Never park and put things in trunk then walk
away. If you must park somewhere and you have packages etc., before
you get to your destination put these items in the trunk, then
drive to destination and park. Remember the thieves are always
watching.
PICKPOCKETS:
Let me tell you, these people are very good at what they do. This
is a big problem in NYC City. If you leave yourself vulnerable
by carrying your purse or wallet the wrong way, it will pull a
Houdini on you and disappear. I can't believe how often I see
people walking down the street and in the subway with their purses
open and wallets they're for the taking. I've seen women leave
their purses unattended and walk off and come back 15 seconds
later and it's gone. You cannot leave a wallet or a purse unattended
for any period of time. I talk to as many as 2 to 3 women a day
who give me the same story, "well I just left it for a second".
There are people out there who go to commercial locations everywhere
just waiting for you to just leave something for a second. They're
getting even smarter now, they get your wallet and take your cash
and credit cards then put your wallet back in your purse. You
won't even know anything is gone until you reach for cash or your
credit card. Some even leave the cash, this gives them more time
to charge up your credit card, and obtain fraudulent identification
so that they can open up other accounts in other stores using
your stolen credit card as a credit reference. The next thing
you know your getting bills for the 10 maxed out credit cards
that they obtained in a mall in New Jersey. And that's if their
nice enough to use your home address on the fraudulent cards,
at least you can find out about it. Some times they use other
addresses and you won't find out until you apply for credit such
as buying a house or car years later and when your credit report
comes back your shocked because you owe $50,000.00 in credit card
bills you never opened and your credit is ruined. Of course your
not responsible for this and most credit card companies will require
you to make a police report and sign a fraud waiver and the debt
will be forgiven. But it's on you to clean up your credit report,
and that can be quite a hassle.
For more information go to IDENTITY THEFT
section.
Ladies
you should carry your purse closed and clasped with the open flap
against your body and in front of you.
If you're at a restaurant or bar, have the purse on your lap.
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT hang it on the arm of a chair or put
it under the table between your legs.
Beware when someone accidentally spills something on you or bumps
into you or randomly walks up to you and engages a conversation.
This is used to distract you while an accomplice takes your belongings.
Men,
keep your wallets in your front pocket.
Obtain
your credit report at least once a year.
Carry
(1) one credit card.
Safe
Shopping Criteria:
No restocking Fee:
As far as I'm concerned this is a rip-off and not good business
practice its money for nothing.
Return Policy:
Return policy must be either store credit or money back guarantee,
I prefer money back guarantee but a store credit is not unreasonable.
Ask about return policy before you buy.
Use a credit card .
