Out & About

When you're out and about, follow our simple tips to ensure you, your family and your property are safe and secure.

 

  • If you are out walking or jogging, stick to well-lit and busy areas.
  • Avoid short cuts and deserted areas – stick to well-lit main routes.
  • If you are out alone, avoid using ipods or personal stereos – you won’t hear anyone approaching you from behind.
  • Look and act confidently – look like you know where you are going.
  • If you think you are being followed cross over to the other side of the road. If you are followed again cross back. If you become concerned go to the nearest public place such as a shop or pub and call the police.
  • Always keep the phone number of a reputable taxi firm with you.
  • If you use a wheelchair, keep things at your side rather than on the back of the chair.

 

Protect your personal possessions

  • Spread your valuables around your body – for instance, keep your phone in your bag, money in your jacket and so on.
  • Don’t draw attention to yourself by talking on your phone, carrying a laptop or listening to an iPod – this will make you more attractive to a thief.
  • Mark valuable items with your postcode using a UV marker pen – contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team for further advice.
  • Make a note of your phone’s unique IMEI number – access this by tapping *#06# into your phone and note the number. This will assist your service provider in blocking its use should your phone be lost or stolen.
  • Carry your bag in a secure position in front of your body. Keep all fasteners closed and ensure they are facing towards your body.
  • Carry wallets, mobiles and other small valuables in a secure inside pocket.

 

At the cash machinePin Security

  • Where possible, plan ahead and get your cash out during daylight hours.
  • Be vigilant when using a cash machine. If you notice anything out of place, any unusual devices attached to the machine or anyone hanging around nearby, report it.
  • Skimming or cloning devices are sometimes used to copy details from the magnetic stripe on your card as it is inserted into the machine.  Criminals may also try to obtain your PIN number by fixing a tiny camera above the keypad.
  • If you do notice any unusual devices, alert bank or building society staff straight away or call the number given on the machine if no staff are available.
  • If the cash machine doesn't return your card when you expect it to, do not re-enter the PIN. Report your lost card to the machine’s owner as soon as you can.
  • Stand close to the machine and shield the keypad, so that nobody can see you enter your PIN number, and it cannot be recorded by a hidden camera.
  • Ensure nobody is looking over your shoulder – they may see your PIN number and then target you to steal and use your card.
  • Do not accept help from 'well-meaning' strangers or allow yourself to be distracted.
  • On completing your transaction, put your money and card safely away and out of sight before moving away from the cash machine.
  • On a night out, don’t be tempted to draw out more money when you’ve had a few to drink. You’ll be vulnerable to opportunist thieves who look out for people with their guard down and you’ll be more likely to lose large amounts of cash.

 

ATM PIN Number Reversal hoax email

We have been alerted to a hoax email that has been circulating purporting to originate from Crimestoppers. It claims that if you enter your pin number in reverse into a cash point the police will be sent to your location.

 

This information is not true.

This email did not originate with Crimestoppers. It's content is false.

 

The email states:

 

PIN advice - good information
ATM PIN Number Reversal - Good to Know!!

If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you can notify the police by entering your PIN # in reverse.

For example, if your pin number is 1234, then you would put in 4321. The ATM system recognizes that your PIN number is backwards from the ATM card you placed in the machine. The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to the location. All ATM’s carry this emergency sequencer by law.

This information was recently broadcast on by Crime Stoppers however it is seldom used because people just don't know about it.

Please pass this along to everyone.

This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends.

 

What to do if you receive this email:

If you receive this email or one similar to it please ignore it. The advice contained in the email is false, so there is no reason to forward the email onto anyone else.

 

 

 

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