Start a Neighborhood Watch

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In a nearby neighborhood, kids were playing ball when a foul ball ended up in the bushes. When a boy went to recover the ball he found a loaded handgun in the bushes. Fortunately, this kid was smart enough to handle it in a way that nobody got hurt.

Even the best and most secure neighborhoods have criminals lurking.

We know homes with security alarms and home security cameras are certainly more secure than homes that aren’t properly equipped. But what good is all the security in the world if the neighborhood you live in is a combat zone? Quality of life suffers while you are in your fortress. But there are comprehensive solutions to a safer and more secure community. One of the most effective strategies available to any community is a neighborhood watch.

A neighborhood watch (also called a crime watch or neighborhood crime watch) is an organized group of citizens devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood. In the United States it builds on the concept of a town watch from Colonial America.

A neighborhood watch may be organized as its own group or may simply be a function of a neighborhood association or other community association.

Neighborhood watches are not vigilante organizations. When suspecting criminal activities, members are encouraged to contact authorities and not to intervene.

Objectives of a Neighborhood Watch

· To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance, creating and maintaining a caring community and reducing opportunities for crime by increasing crime prevention awareness.

· To assist the police in detecting crime by promoting effective communication and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity.

· To reduce undue fear of crime by providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit, particularly amongst the more vulnerable members of the community.

· To improve police/community liaison by providing effective communications through Neighborhood Watch messaging systems which warn Co-coordinators of local crime trends which they can disseminate to their scheme members, and by members informing the police of incidents when they occur.

If you are a self starter and concerned about the quality of life in your community then take some initiative and engage your fellow residents in a comprehensive strategy to make your community safer. Start by knocking on doors with residents who you have a relationship with. Once repore is established determine who they also have relationships with. Then create buzz amongst other civic minded residents and begin to assemble your team.

Involve the local police as they often have systems in place ready for neighborhood adoption.

Arrange a monthly meeting of like minded residents and establish a quorum.

Distribute home safety tips to all those in attendance and in the mailboxes of those who can’t make a monthly meeting. Make suggesting such as fixing broken windows, keeping properties free of debris, locking doors and making investments in home security systems.

It’s inevitable that crime is going to happen, but it’s also possible to gain a degree of control over your neighborhood that makes it difficult for a bad guy to do his job.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Security on NBC Boston. Disclosures.

Caller ID Spoofing Becoming Illegal

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Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

AP reports using false caller ID with the intent of tricking people into revealing personal information or otherwise causing harm would become illegal under legislation that passed the House Wednesday. The legislation would only outlaw the use of spoofing technology when the intent is to deceive and harm the recipient of the call. Legitimate uses of the technology, such as a domestic abuse shelter changing its number to protect an occupant of the shelter, would still be permitted.

Caller ID spoofing is the practice of causing the telephone network to display a number on the recipient’s caller ID display which is not that of the actual originating caller. Similar to e-mail spoofing which can make it appear that a message came from any e-mail address the sender chooses. Caller ID spoofing can make a call appear to have come from any phone number. Most people trust caller ID and are unaware of caller ID spoofing. This is obviously a flawed system ripe for fraud.

Legitimate uses of caller ID spoofing have included:

A domestic abuse shelter changing its number to protect an occupant of the shelter.

Law enforcement to disguising themselves when trying to nab suspects.

Someone is trying to evade child support and caller ID spoofing may be a legitimate tool to find them.

Someone who suspects a cheating spouse may use it to do their own investigations.

Doctors on call wanting to block their number may need to change a caller ID if the client requires a phone number to show when calling.

Nefarious uses of caller ID Spoofing have included:

A crazy woman used the caller ID of a pharmacist to trick a romantic rival into taking a drug used to cause abortions.

Spoofing during political campaigns to mislead voters or get voters angry at a candidate they mistakenly think is calling them, perhaps in the middle of the night.

Criminals are also using caller ID of a bank, credit card company, retailer or other phone number to scam someone into revealing Social Security, bank account or credit card numbers. In New York City police busted an identity theft ring that used caller ID spoofing to steal more than $15 million from 6,000 victims.

Protect your identity.

1. Get a credit freeze and follow the steps for your particular state. This is an absolutely necessary tool to secure your credit. In most cases, it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. This makes your Social Security number useless to a potential identity thief.

2. Invest in Intelius identity theft protection and prevention. Not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk. (Disclosures)

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Speaker discussing Scammers and Scambaiters on Fox Boston.

The Quality of Ones Life Rests on Effective Communication Skills

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I used to stutter. I had a difficult time as a child putting words together and when I did, they came out in sporadic unintelligible banter. What made it worse was my lisp. My tongue seemed too big for my mouth and my lips too big for my face.  It wasn’t easy.

It didn’t help any bit that my speech coach was a Mr Krinsthski. Try saying that and it not sound lispy. At a young age burdened with what some would call impairment, kids my age didn’t give me a moment of peace. I was bullied on the way to school, at school, and on the way home.

While I corrected my impediment by the age of 14, the bullying continued throughout Jr High and into High School. As a result, I had to learn to fight. And fight I did.

I’m pretty sure I was suspended more times than any kid who ever went through my high school for fighting. I can remember at least a half dozen 10 day suspensions which were welcomed vacations from daily beatings. I didn’t just learn to fight with my fists, I also learned to fight with my tongue.  My speech coach created a sharp tongued warrior.

As a result I made numerous trips to the school psychologist who was a man of Polish decent standing at 5 feet “tall”. This is one man who understood what it meant to be a target. He sided with me and encouraged me to keep my head up and focus on protecting myself and proving to myself that I was OK. I read lots of self help and books on motivation and began to see my place in the world.

As a result of my life experience, self defense and personal security became my life’s passion and today my life’s work.  I pursued professions revolving around security and at the same time increased my vocabulary and communication skills. I knew if I ever wanted to “sell myself” as a security professional I needed to effectively communicate.

Early on at 25 years old I attended an event with the New England chapter of the National Speakers Association.  Here I witnessed professional communicators who had tremendous passion and spoke for a living about what they loved. They actually got paid to talk! In the days of Aristotle and Socrates we would refer to them as Orators.  Here I am a few years out of the Principals office surrounded by the same people whose books I read as a kid. How do you like them apples?

Ive been a member of NSA for more than 15 years and now I’m on the Board of Directors in New England. Today I am writing this from a café in NY City across the street from 1211 Avenue of The Americas, which houses Fox News. I’ve been in that building a dozen times. Today I’m shooting a live spot on Fox for one of the largest most respected security companies on the planet. Thank you NSA.

On June 10th and 11th at the Waltham Woods Conference Center, in Waltham MA, sponsored by the National Speakers Association, New England Chapter.  There will be two full days of exceptional courses for business leaders on how to speak like a pro and leverage speaking to build your business, advance in your career, and sell more products and services.

Speaker U is a quick, easy way to gain confidence, credibility, and clients:

For the Professional Speaker:  School of Sustainability: Keeping your professional speaking business growing, going, and thriving

For the Newer/Emerging Speaker:  School of Speaking Careers: Building a successful professional speaking business

For the Corporate/Professional Service Speaker: School of Professional Presentation: Mastering the essential skills to set you

apart from the competition!

Do you want to know how to:

  • Keep your professional speaking business growing, going, and thriving?
  • Add charisma, energy and pizzazz to your speech?
  • Build credibility and new business in a changing market?
  • Create and sustain successful professional speaking business?
  • Eliminate stage fright and speak with absolute confidence?
  • Develop a natural, compelling, authentic style?
  • Get away from notes and PowerPoint when speaking?
  • Master the essential skills that set you apart from the competition?

The courses will be taught by professional speakers and business people who coach top executives and professionals.  What’s remarkable about this is the incredible value.  My professional association, NSA New England, decided to offer it for a fraction of what you usually pay for most conferences like this.

The early bird rate is $297 if paid by April 25th, $357 if paid by May 21st.

Courses you’ll find at Speaker “U”

  • Speak Like a Pro: 7 Steps to Highly Effective Presentations
  • Book Me, Book Me! What’s Really Happening in the Meeting Industry
  • Never, Ever be a Dud Presenter: Proven Strategies to Stand out at Industry Conferences and Events
  • The Art of Movement on Stage: Learning through Improvisation
  • Blood from a Stone: How to Sell in Any Market
  • Professional Dress for the Professional Speaker
  • Book Schmook! How to Create Product that Builds your Brand
  • PR/RX: A Foolproof Prescription for a Healthy PR Plan
  • Pop! Your Business, Brand Book and Speaking Career!
  • The Art of Being Fabulous: Make a Powerful First Impression with Clients
  • The Dating Game, Speaker Edition: Do you Have What it Takes to Get Booked
  • Social Media for the Aspiring Speaker
  • Get your Book Published This Year!
  • This is No Time to Be Shy: How to Reach Out And Build Relationships
  • PR and Promotion Strategies for the Emerging Speaker
  • How to Find Your Topic and Niche Market
  • The New Rules of Marketing/PR
  • And more!

And don’t forget to put it on your calendar – June 10th and 11th at the  Conference Center at Waltham Woods , 860 Winter Street,  Waltham, MA.

So if you’re around, come hang out and learn something. Check out the courses and sign up on line at  www.nsanewengland.com

Burglar Hits County Sheriff’s Home

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In these posts I often point out what people do wrong and reverse engineer the scenario so we can learn from 20/20 hindsight what to do right next time. I’m happy to say, this post is about what was done right the first time.

There are many reasons why homes are broken into. Money is generally the primary motivation. Sometimes kids may be looking for a place to party or someone may be seeking out drugs or alcohol. But when someone breaks into the Sheriffs home, one has to wonder why.

Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen is used to investigating break-ins, but this time it was his own home. The sheriff is offering a $1,000 reward from his own pocket for information leading to an arrest. Nothing was taken in the break-in on Sunday at the sheriff’s home on Wacker Drive, which makes the incident even more mysterious, Phalen said. “I would almost feel better if something had been taken,” he said. The burglar came between 5 and 6 p.m., while Phalen and his wife were out for a walk. Phalen said that the alarm system triggered and the burglar apparently tried to disable it. The alarm was beeping when Phalen and his wife returned.

The motivation here may simply be for money, but if they knew it was the Sheriff’s house, then more than likely someone was after information or they simply wanted to have bragging rights to say “I broke into the Sheriff’s house.”

What pleases me about this story is the home security alarm that was triggered in the break in. Any one who reads this will see that the Sheriff, knowing that crime happens when someone least expects it, locked his doors and set his home alarm system while he and his wife were out for a quick walk.

Even though he was only gone for a short time he took full responsibility for his families security and enabled the home security system. One thing missing is why wasn’t their any data about the alarm being monitored by a service and a call made to the “Sheriff’s Department.” Seems there is a lesson to be learned here.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Scammers Bait 40,000 Facebook Victims with Ikea Gift Card

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Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

It’s just a matter of setting up a fake Facebook page and marketing it to a few people who then send it to their friends and it goes somewhat viral. The Ikea scam hooked 40,000 unsuspecting victims with the promise of a $1,000 gift card.

PC World reports In the past months, fan pages have popped up all over the social networking site, offering too-good-to-be-true gift cards. There’s the $500 Whole Foods card, the $10 Walmart offer, and the $1,000 Ikea gift card. The Ikea page put these gift card scams on the map last month, when it quickly racked up more than 70,000 fans before being snuffed. Facebook has also taken down Target and iTunes gift card scam pages in the past few months.

To get the gift card the users must enter names, address and email address. They are then pointed to other pages where real products and services are offered. From there they enter credit card details if the offer appeals to them.

The root of this scam is believed to be perpetrated by affiliate marketers who make money on click throughs and create a ruse to gather data on potential customers also known as a “sucker list.”

In general, there shouldn’t be any traditional identity theft as it relates to new account fraud as long as requests aren’t being made for Social Security numbers, and the “victim” isn’t giving one out. Otherwise I don’t see this scam as harmful, but is certainly deceptive.

1. Get a credit freeze and follow the steps for your particular state. This is an absolutely necessary tool to secure your credit. In most cases, it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. This makes your Social Security number useless to a potential identity thief.

2. Invest in Intelius identity theft protection and prevention. Not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk. (Disclosures)

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Speaker discussing Facebook Hackers on CNN.

How to Mess With a Burglar’s Head

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So you follow set guidelines for home security tips and installed all the necessary technologies like a wireless alarm system to prevent the bad guy from breaking in. But Murphy’s Law dropkicked you and all failed for whatever reason and the bad guy is in your home while you are away on business or at work.

Here’s a do it yourself cheap way to have a home security camera system to spook the jerk and possibly get him caught. This is easier than it sounds. But take your time and have fun.

If you are like me, you have old computers in your closest collecting dust that are too slow to actually surf the Net and get things done efficiently. Now is a good time to put them to good and fun use.

1. Clean up the operating system and make it functional. Connect it to the Net and leave it on.

2. Install cheap $10 webcams that have audio and the cam will pan the area, tilt and zoom.

3. Dig out your old computer speakers and connect them to the PC and set them to LOUD.

4. Download and install free Skype. Skype is voice over the internet that also supports webcams. With Skype you can call anyone on Skype and talk to them via a webcam. Make sure your home and work PC has Skype and a webcam or your road ready laptop has Sykpe and a webcam.

5. You need to set up 2 different accounts on Skype, one for home and one for work. Each has a different user name and set them to auto login when the PC starts.

6. Download and set up the dusty home PC or laptop with free “LogMeIn.com” remote access technology software. This software allows you to remotely access the home PC from anywhere. When you log into your home PC from the road you can fully control that home PC like you are sitting in front of it.

7. From work, Skype into the Home PC and call it from your work PC then “answer” the call while remotely logged in.

8. Now you have full control over the web camera on the home PC and you can pan, tilt zoom and your voice now broadcasts over the home PC speakers.

9. Download Korn, Disturbed, MegaDeath, Marilyn Manson, Metallica or my personal favorite, the ultimate creep tune: “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” Or the Police’s “Every Breath You Take… I’ll be Watching You.” Record a dog barking on a loop. If you’re a movie buff dig out some sound clips from horror movies with lots of blood curdling screams that play incessantly on a loop. Now we’re cooking with gas!

10. When you Skype in and see a burglar call the police. Then start talking to him like you’re in the next room and tell him that the cops are coming to get his sorry self. Then blast the music at level 10 to freak him out. If you really want to mess with him play anything from Yoko Ono. Loud!

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Using Skype and Webcams to Spy on The CW. Disclosures.

Home Safety Tips to Prevent a Burglary

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Imagine pulling in the driveway and seeing your side door open and some of your stuff on the ground. You wonder what’s happening and think maybe your spouse or kids dropped something or left the door open. But as you look closer the door is smashed and inside the house looks disheveled. Then the sinking feeling of “I’ve been burglarized” sets in.

Secure entrance ways: Burglars often go right through your back or front door. They first ring the bell or knock on the door to see if you’re home, and if you don’t answer they jiggle the doorknob. If the door is locked they will use a crowbar to force it open. Lock your doors. Install solid core doors that can’t easily be compromised. Install heavy deadbolts that go deep into the jam with 3-4 inch screws that go into the door’s frame. For sliding glass doors, install an additional wooden dowel preventing the door from being opened from the outside. Make sure your home security alarm has open door sensors.

Secure windows: When a burglar encounters a locked door they may look for unlocked windows. Lock your windows. As an extra layer of security install a wooden dowel on top of the window to prevent it from being opened. Install window film that prevents the glass from being broken. Install glass break sensors to compliment your home security system.

Use high wattage lighting: Lighting on the exterior is an effective way to keep the bad guy away. The benefit of additional lighting helps your neighbors to see suspicious activity at night. If you have home security cameras, this also helps the cameras do their jobs more effectively. Motion sensors are OK, but I prefer timed lighting that goes on at dusk and off at dawn. Motion sensors sometimes “ghost” and give the impression that someone is there when they aren’t.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Security on NBC Boston. Disclosures.

1.5 Million Americans Have Been Victims of Medical Identity

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Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

The Smartcard Alliance has released an in-depth report called “Medical Identity Theft in Healthcare.”

While identity theft is a global issue that garners much media attention, most do not realize that medical identity theft is a serious and growing threat. Many authorities consider medical identity theft one of the fastest growing crimes in America. With the digital age of healthcare upon us, the risks are expected to increase as electronic medical records become more prevalent and the exchange of this data over expanding networks becomes more pervasive. Heightened concern over personal data security and privacy highlight the importance of having secure electronic medical identities.

According to a recent Ponemon Institute study, nearly 1.5 million Americans have been victims of medical identity theft with an estimated total cost of $28.6 billion–or approximately $20,000 per victim. [1] Further evidence of the significance of the medical fraud problem is the allocation of $1.7 billion for fraud detection in the 2011 U.S. Health and Human Services Department budget. [2] In 2009, 68 reported healthcare data breaches in the U.S. put over 11.3 million patient records at risk of exposure.

Patients whose medical identities are stolen face serious lingering effects. Fraudulent healthcare events can leave erroneous data in medical records. This erroneous information–like information about tests, diagnoses and procedures–can greatly affect future healthcare and insurance coverage and costs. Patients are often unaware of medical identity theft until a curious bill or a surprising line of questioning by a doctor exposes the issue. Then, the burden of proof is often with the patient and it can be difficult to get the patient’s legitimate medical records cleaned up. The consequences can also be life threatening and can lead to serious medical errors and fatalities.

Identity theft prevention services generally will not protect you from medical identity theft. However, if your information is out there on the Net and being scanned constantly by the identity theft protection service, then your risk is lowered. Furthermore, I’m all about layers of protection. If your identity is protected from new account fraud via credit monitoring or credit freezes then the thief may use another identity that has less restrictions.

1. Get a credit freeze and follow the steps for your particular state. This is an absolutely necessary tool to secure your credit. In most cases, it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. This makes your Social Security number useless to a potential identity thief.

2. Invest in Intelius identity theft protection and prevention. Not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk. (Disclosures)

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Speaker discussing Medical Identity Theft on the CBS Early Show

Building Out a Home Security System

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Home security alarms are just one part of your overall system. Generally, the alarm can be wired or installed as a wireless home security system and consists of keypads at each entrance, motion sensors, glass break sensors and open door and window sensors. The alarm panel should be installed in a relatively secure enclosure and in a relatively secure room within the house. The alarms communications go to the monitoring company and the local police can be wired or wireless or both. Wired are best and a cell wireless back up is even better.

Additional layers of protection include the stickers that come along with the alarm that are installed on doors and windows. Make use of any additional lawn signage depicting “Home Security System” installed.

Beyond an alarm system with a digital video recorder set to record motion. Set up security cameras to monitor the perimeter. Security cameras can send off an alarm triggering additional lighting, sirens and alerting the home owner to a potential breach via text and telephone calls. I can immediately see my cameras via my iPhone. Cameras inside the house are necessary as well. Just short of a camera pointing right at the kid’s bed, the house is wired to show all doors and living spaces. Once you take the leap you wonder how you lived without it. It’s a very cool tool to find your keys or wallet if you lose them in the house.

Recently, I found an Easter basket at my front door without a note. I thought maybe the note blew off or the Easter bunny forgot to attach a note. I wasn’t sure. My first move was to check my DVR and look for motion triggered events and pull them up and scan the footage. When I saw my neighbor walking down the street with the Easter basket then up onto my porch to drop it off, disappointment set in. I was really hoping to catch the Easter Bunny on camera.

Next Christmas I’m pointing this bad boy right at the chimney.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Do You Spy on Your Spouse?

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Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

Generally in a trusting relationship spying isn’t necessary. I’m sure Sandra Bullock, Kate Gosselin or Tiger Wood’s wife didn’t think they needed to spy on their husbands, until they did. Reckless behavior like that can bring home a very itchy or very deadly disease.  One that victimizes the innocent.

The fact is humans have a tendency to lie.  Lying is generally done to protect people from the consequences of their actions or to protect others from the emotional hurt because of what they did.

Spying generally occurs when trust is broken or intuition kicks in and someone senses something is askew. Spying is easier today than it’s ever been. According to a recent survey polling 1,000 men and women of various ages, incomes, and locations in the United States, there’s a 38 percent chance you would spy if you’re 25 or younger.

Among respondents, 38 percent of those 25 years old or younger admitted to snooping on their boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s messages, and 36 percent of those who are married admitted to checking their spouse’s e-mail or call history.

Spying can be accomplished by simply picking up a person’s phone and looking at the incoming and out going calls and text messages. Mobile phone spyware is readily available and can monitor almost every aspect of a phones use remotely.

Small wireless cameras installed in lighters, pens, clocks, smoke detectors and just about anything else are readily available. Commercially available spyware can easily be installed on a person’s computer. Undetectable hardware called “key catchers” can be installed in the PS2 or USB ports and the person’s keyboard is piggybacked and logs all their keystrokes.

Identity thieves are using the exact same technologies.

1. Get a credit freeze and follow the steps for your particular state. This is an absolutely necessary tool to secure your credit. In most cases, it prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. This makes your Social Security number useless to a potential identity thief.

2. Invest in Intelius identity theft protection and prevention. Not all forms of identity theft can be prevented, but identity theft protection services can dramatically reduce your risk. (Disclosures)

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Speaker discussing Facebook Hackers on CNN