L.S. Police warn public about property crime, scams
Published on Tue, May 8, 2012 by JOURNAL STAFFRead More Local News
Lake Stevens, as well as the surrounding Snohomish County area, are seeing an increase in scams and residential burglaries sharing similar characteristics. The Lake Stevens Police Department feels that educating the public is one of the most successful crime prevention tools available.
Residential burglaries occur when someone enters your home without your permission with the intent to commit a crime. This crime is usually theft of personal property to include jewelry, televisions, game systems and sometimes priceless belongings of past loved ones.
Nothing is sacred when dealing with this level of criminal. Police have seen a trend in which the suspected burglar will knock on your door, asking if an unknown person is at the residence or claiming to be with a security company. This happens at all times during the morning, afternoon and night.
This is usually done as a test to see if anyone is home as most burglars will not attempt to enter a residence when the homeowner is present.
Should this happen, take note of their clothing, gender, ethnicity, approximate age and height and then promptly notify police. If they claim to be with a business or company, ask to see their City Business License, business card, and identification card. If they are unable to provide that information, close and lock the door and call 911. Rule of thumb, it is better to call and have it be nothing, than not call and have it be something.
Another increasing crime is in the form of scams that usually, but not always target senior citizens. This scam comes in the form of a phone call claiming you have won a new vehicle or other prize, but in order to receive the prize you have to purchase a pre-paid credit card to pay for storage or processing fees.
Once the pre-paid card is purchased, the card number is read to the person via phone. Other reported forms of this scam have included the person impersonating an FBI agent saying they will come and arrest you if you don’t get the card. It is important to be aware of these scams, not only for your own benefit but also in case you have older parents or grandparents that may be targeted by these criminals. If you have concerns, please call 911 and talk to an officer.
Please visit the LSPD’s website at http://www.ci.lake-stevens.wa.us for additional crime prevention information.
Residential burglaries occur when someone enters your home without your permission with the intent to commit a crime. This crime is usually theft of personal property to include jewelry, televisions, game systems and sometimes priceless belongings of past loved ones.
Nothing is sacred when dealing with this level of criminal. Police have seen a trend in which the suspected burglar will knock on your door, asking if an unknown person is at the residence or claiming to be with a security company. This happens at all times during the morning, afternoon and night.
This is usually done as a test to see if anyone is home as most burglars will not attempt to enter a residence when the homeowner is present.
Should this happen, take note of their clothing, gender, ethnicity, approximate age and height and then promptly notify police. If they claim to be with a business or company, ask to see their City Business License, business card, and identification card. If they are unable to provide that information, close and lock the door and call 911. Rule of thumb, it is better to call and have it be nothing, than not call and have it be something.
Another increasing crime is in the form of scams that usually, but not always target senior citizens. This scam comes in the form of a phone call claiming you have won a new vehicle or other prize, but in order to receive the prize you have to purchase a pre-paid credit card to pay for storage or processing fees.
Once the pre-paid card is purchased, the card number is read to the person via phone. Other reported forms of this scam have included the person impersonating an FBI agent saying they will come and arrest you if you don’t get the card. It is important to be aware of these scams, not only for your own benefit but also in case you have older parents or grandparents that may be targeted by these criminals. If you have concerns, please call 911 and talk to an officer.
Please visit the LSPD’s website at http://www.ci.lake-stevens.wa.us for additional crime prevention information.
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