Crime Prevention Tips

Be aware of your surroundings, especially between dusk and dawn. If you notice anything suspicious - a security light out, someone loitering nearby - consider coming back later or using an ATM inside a supermarket or convenience store.

If using the ATM at night, take someone with you.

Park in a well-lit area as close as possible to the ATM.

At a drive-through ATM, be sure the doors are locked and the passenger windows are rolled up.

If you withdraw cash, put it away promptly; count it later, in private.

Put your ATM card and receipt away promptly; never leave your receipt at the ATM.

Keep your PIN secret - don't write it down, and don't share it with anyone you don't trust absolutely. Your PIN provides access to your account.

Shield the keypad when entering your PIN to keep it from being observed.

Avoid being too regular in your ATM use - don't repeatedly visit the same machine at the same time, the same day of the week.

Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination.

Avoid parking near trucks, vans, dumpsters, and other objects that obstruct visibility and provide hiding places.

Avoid parking near strangers loitering or sitting in vehicles.

Park in lots or garages where you don’t have to leave your keys.

Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle on the street, in an alley, or on your driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas.

Turn off your engine, roll up all windows, lock all doors, and take your keys with you even if you are making a quick stop at a store or gas station, or even in your driveway.

Close all windows and lock the trunk and hood.

Don’t leave spare keys in your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet.

Don’t leave your vehicle in an unattended public lot for an extended period time.

Buy a vehicle with interior hood and trunk lock releases. Install a secondary hood lock if your car does not have one.

Replace knob-type door lock buttons with tapered ones.

Install an alarm system that will sound when someone attempts to break in, move, tilt, or start your vehicle. Always activate the system when leaving the vehicle.

Check your vehicle if you hear the alarm sound. But don’t try to stop a person attempting to break in. Get a good description of the person and call the police.

To prevent theft of the vehicle itself:
Turn your wheels sharply toward the curb when parking on a street.

Use anti-theft devices that can be attached to the steering wheel or column, or brake pedal. Use one every time you leave your vehicle unattended. Steering wheel locks are inexpensive and are recommended by some experts to be the most cost-effective theft deterrent on the market today.

Install fuel or power cut-off switches.

Buy a vehicle with a locking ignition or steering column.

Chain motorcycles and bicycles to stationary objects when unattended.

Consider having your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etched on all the windows.

To prevent the theft of property from a vehicle:
Never leave any contents or valuables in plain sight. Remove cellular phones, audio systems, computers, packages, sport equipment, cameras, purses, etc. Lock them in the trunk before you park or take them with you. And if you can’t replace an item, don’t leave it anywhere in your vehicle.

Install locking devices on batteries, wheels, audio equipment, etc.

Make several slices through your license plate registration sticker after it has been placed on the plate. If the plate or sticker is stolen, call the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) immediately to report the loss and get replacements.