Do You Let Your Kids Out Unsupervised?

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Back 30-35 years ago there were house break-ins like there are today, but home security systems were scarce and people weren’t all that concerned either. A lot has changed.

When I was in elementary school, my parents would let us walk to school, walk home, play outside all day and my mother or father would scream at the top of their lungs calling us to come in after dark.

My father and I joke about this all the time. He told me one time he was calling my brother who wasn’t answering him and he got a little panicked. He started his hunt and found my brother lying down in the driveway sleeping.

When I was 12 my father let my brother and I go into downtown Boston to do some shopping. When we got off the train 5 kids followed us, surrounded us, I resisted, they smacked me around and took all my money. That was my first real experience with predators. I quickly learned about situational awareness and being aware of my surroundings. Not a day goes by now that I don’t “benefit” from that horrible incident.

Recently news reports of “Brooklyn Missing Boy: Police Arrest Man the Dismembered Child Had Asked for Directions” reminded us about how there always have been predators, there are predators today, and there always will be predators and we have to take steps to protect ourselves and those we care for.

My kids are young, so they don’t leave my sight. Someday I’ll need to let them go off on their own. But by that time I’ll be 85 and they’ll be in their 40’s so it won’t be so bad.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist toHome Security Source discussing Child Abductions on MSNBC. Disclosures

Fake Cop Scam Common Internationally

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When traveling, people are generally nice, kind and generally trustworthy. However there are ALWAYS predators waiting in the wings to pounce when you totally let your guard down.

The best defense is a good offense. So keep your head up, pay attention and if it’s too good to be true it is.

Fake Cops: I was in Mexico years ago when I was having some fun in Tijuana with a bunch of friends. The explorer in me that had one too many margaritas decided to take a walk in the local neighborhood. Then 2 “cops” followed me and grabbed my arm and told me I was under arrest. But when I took a hard look at them, their uniforms weren’t really matching and their badges looked like they were from K-mart. So as I was speaking to them (or as they were interrogating me) I broke free and ran to the border. I never looked back and haven’t gone back since. I’m pretty sure they are still looking for me.

These scams are most prevalent in Mexico, India and Spain. But they happen everywhere including the good ole USA.

Get to know what the police uniforms and vehicles look like in the cities, states, country’s you visit. While you must show a degree of respect for authority, don’t automatically trust. If necessary make a scene if you believe you are being bamboozled by fake cops.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing self defense and rape prevention on NBC Boston. Disclosures.

Protect Your Automobile from Theft

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Ever have your car stolen? I have. When I walked into the restaurants parking lot my car wasn’t in the spot where I parked.  At first I thought maybe I forgot where I parked it. Then an empty feeling came over me and I knew it was stolen. When the police arrived I asked them if they were going to put out an “APB” which stands for “all-points bulletin” and the cop said, Son, you watch too much TV, we don’t do that.

A few days later I got a call that the police found my abandoned vehicle. Once I paid for the tow at the city yard, I got my car back. But when I started the car there was a knock in the engine.  The next day it seized. It cost me $4000.00 to fix and the insurance company gave me only $700.00.  I learned right there and then, auto security is my responsibility.

Cars are often stolen because people make it easy for the bad guy. Roll up your windows and lock your doors. Don’t do things like leave the car running while going into a store or leave the keys in the ignition at any time. Keep in mind auto thieves are always looking for hidden keys too. Don’t have valuable like laptops or bags exposed in the front seat.

The idea is to make it difficult by incorporating multiple layers of security.  Newer cars often have “smart keys” that make it difficult for criminals to hot wire a car and kill switches to override a popped ignition. But even these measures of protection aren’t enough.

Doing things like parking in well-lit high trafficked areas may help, but don’t rely on a light bulb to protect your car.

Steering wheel locks and brake locks will deter some thieves help but can definitely be cut.

Many new cars come equipped with an alarm system that emits noise, has a kill switch and shuts off the gas. Service like OnStar can track a stolen vehicle.  If your car doesn’t have a car alarm you should consider investing in one.

Definitely invest in a security system that tracks a stolen vehicle. Third party applications that are monitored by the police can be effective it recovering a stolen vehicle and even catching thieves in the act.

There are plenty of things you can do to reduce the chances your car will be stolen. Deterrence is the name of the game. But keep in mind there is no such thing as 100% security.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist toHome Security Source discussingADT Pulse on Fox News. Disclosures

Dumb Home Invaders Busted Using Victims Mobile

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Here is why home security systems are absolutely essential. A homeowner in South Carolina is sleeping when he hears a loud banging noise. He gets out of bed to investigate and comes face to face with a man in his home wearing a ski mask. Question: Do they have snow in South Carolina? Do they ski?

Anyway, the home invader drops the man to his knees and sticks a gun in his ear. Then the victim’s girlfriend get a gun stuck in her ear as they both stayed on their knees at gun point while the home invaders ransacked the house.

The home invaders stole their mobile phones, and their games including Wii, Nintendo, Xbox, two pistols and three shotguns along with cash and jewelry.

Based on the score I bet the victims knew the home invaders. Luckily for the victims the home invaders left without any additional violence.

The home invaders used one of the victims’ cell phones later on that day. What the dumb criminal probably didn’t realize is mobile phones have GPS and location based data that can allow anyone including the police to trace the phone location pretty accurately.

Police staked out the location which was a motel and saw two men who fit the home invaders description then searched their room and found the victims stuff.

Technology is great. It helped catch these criminals, and this wasn’t the first time a cellphone has help police carch a criminal, in Maryland another dumb criminal was caught after leaving behind charging phone.

However technology in the form of a home alarm could be used better to proactively prevent this. While the victim isn’t responsible for getting invaded, they are in the best position to prevent it.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist toHome Security Source discussingADT Pulse on Fox News Live. Disclosures

Doggy Door: Easy Burglar Penetration

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Many years back I lived on a peninsula north of Boston in a small ocean view cottage. The band “Talking Heads” apparently lived there years earlier when they were starting out.  There’s a song or two they wrote that references the area. It’s a very cool place. The kind of place people think you can leave the doors unlocked and windows open. It’s famous for “Ipswich Clams” if that rings a bell. I’ve been known to dig a few bushels or pecks.

Anyway regardless of the fact it was off the beaten path and a relative “safe” area I still had a home security alarm system.  I’m not one to take chances. Even though it was “safe” a local kid who develops a drug problem can make a mess of things trying to get his next fix.

While living there I had “Niki”. She was a protective German shepherd Husky mix and probably the sweetest animal that has ever lived and was very very intelligent. Where I lived there was very little auto traffic and she was smart enough to avoid cars so I built her a doggie door to let her come and go.  I’d sometimes get calls when I was at work (her tags had my number) that she had made her way to the beach and was sitting with someone at their lounge chair asking me if they could give her water. She was something else.

One weekend I went away with Niki and came home to a disaster in my house.  Cabinets were opened and stuff pulled out, a small dresser was knocked over there was papers and trash everywhere and then I noticed POOP!

A masked burglar broke in! And pooped! Then I saw paw prints! It was a raccoon! The little bugger spent the weekend at my house and got in through the doggie door. The next night I waited for that burglar, all night, and I caught him. I made a hat. But that’s another story.

The Boston Globe reported a pair of teens were arrested and charged with breaking and entering through a doggie door. Police said the two suspects stole two iPods, prescription pills and $100 cash from the house. The teens were arrested after police arrived at the home following a call from a neighbor.

Obviously a doggie door is easy entry. If you have one you can still have a home security system, but you’d have to turn the motion sensors off if you have a larger dog. Installing security cameras set to alert of an intruder is a good option. Adding outdoor signage would act as another layer of protection.

Niki died 6 years ago. She was 15. She is missed.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist toHome Security Source discussingADT Pulse on Fox News. Disclosures

Beware Of Home Deed Scams

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Home property deeds are documents showing home ownership and provided to home buyers and certified by county clerks or registrars after closing on a home purchase.  Deeds are generally public records and available for free or a small fee at the state or country registrar’s office.

There 2 types of deed scams. The first involves the fraudulent sale of deed documents and the second involves the fraudulent sale of actual homes by forging deeds.

In the course of a person’s life they may never own or only own 1-2 homes. After a purchase their deeds may sit in a drawer or at a lawyer’s office or live online never to be seen again. Like an automobile title, we sometimes lose track of property deeds and don’t adequately protect these important documents.

Rogue document sales: Deeds are the perfect document to be used as a tool by scammers. Because of the legal aspect and generally obscurity of a deed, scammers pose as government agencies such as “The U.S. Government Federal Citizen Information Center” and will send out letters or emails targeting homeowners recommending home owners get official copies of their deed. However only the registrar or clerk’s office can issue a certified copy and these scammy companies often charge as much as 1000% more than what a clerk will charge.

Stealing your home: When criminals “steal your home” they are essentially selling the home to a real buyer who is being defrauded.  Criminals will often break into summer homes or vacant homes and change the locks. They will list the property and go through an official closing. While there are checks and balances in place such as title searches, criminals simply forge documents and tell lots of lies.

To protect yourself from someone stealing your home when traveling for an extended period or from stealing a second home start with installing a home alarm security system. Having a monitored alarm and security cameras is definitely one layer of protection.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist toHome Security Source discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Neighbor Gets 18 Years for Hacking Neighbor

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Home security in the physical world is locks, cameras and a home security system. In the virtual world home security is protecting your homes wireless internet connection.

I’ve spoke many times of how hackers can invade your wireless internet and steal your identity by getting onto your computer. We’ve also touched on how pedophiles can hijack your wireless internet and download child porn which can get the FBIs attention resulting in a battery ram on your front door at 3 am.

In Minnesota prosecutors put away a “depraved criminal” for 18 years as a result of virtually torturing his neighbors via their Wi-Fi connection.

After a brief encounter with his new neighbors he began “a calculated campaign to terrorize his neighbors”.

Wired reports “He demonstrated by his conduct that he is a dangerous man. When he became angry at his neighbors, he vented his anger in a bizarre and calculated campaign of terror against them,” (.pdf) prosecutor Timothy Rank said in a court filing. “And he did not wage this campaign in the light of day, but rather used his computer hacking skills to strike at his victims while hiding in the shadows.”

It’s a pretty frightening story that should scare you into locking down your wireless internet.

When setting up a wireless router, there are two suggested security protocol options. Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA and WPA2) which is a certification program that was created in response to several serious weaknesses researchers had found in the previous system, Wired Equivalent Privacy.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing home security and identity theft on TBS Movie and a Makeover. Disclosures.

 

Rogue Locksmiths Pose Threat to Home Security

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I’m a big fan of the trade and recommend everyone engage their local locksmith for a review of your hardware to determine if yours is adequate for your home security. Chances are at some point in your life you will need a locksmith in an emergency situation whether for your car, home or place of business.

But like any trade there are professionals and there are shysters. Locksmithing is worldwide, but your locksmith should be local, trusted and a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America, at least.

The Federal Trade Commission has issued an alert regarding shifty, shady, unlicensed scammy locksmiths.

“If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be. Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you.”

Research local locksmiths before you need one, the same way you would a plumber, electrician, or other professional. Use your towns local newspaper or local directory opposed to the yellow pages. Scammers often use yellow pages opposed to local directories. Plug the number into your mobile phone now.

When ordering services get an estimate for everything and hold them to it. There shouldn’t be a big mystery to what work they will need to do.

Ask the locksmith for ID and expect the locksmith to ask you for identification, as well. A legitimate locksmith should confirm your identity and make sure you’re the property owner before doing any work.

 

Some locksmiths will work out of a car for quick or emergency jobs, but most will arrive in a service vehicle that is clearly marked with their company’s name.

 

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADT Pulse on Fox News Live. Disclosures

 

Flash Mob Attacks On The Rise

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You’ve heard of “flash mobs” when a group of people suddenly get together in some form of public place for a performance of some sort generally in the name of fun. They are formed when someone posts something on Facebook or Twitter and text messages begin to go viral. All of a sudden a time and meeting place is confirmed and the party begins a short time later.

There is an example of a flash mob on one in a television commercial of a solo man dancing in what looks like Grand Central Station in NY and he gets the text too late that the flash mob moved to another location. Another fun example happend Cape Cod, not far from where I live around Independence Day when a number of musicians flash mobbed a supermarket in song. Here, it’s awesome!

But an unfortunate twist to flash mobs are ones that are born to be vicious and violent. There seems to be a trend happening in parts of the country that you need to be aware of. An example of a flash mob happened in Boston when a reported 1000 youths, many involved in gangs all gathered at or near a beach and many began fighting.

Just like home security, your personal security begins with situational awareness. Situational awareness is key to avoiding and removing yourself from a dangerous situation. The moment something seems wrong move to safety.

Always be aware of what is going on 100 feet around the perimeter of your body. When something seems wrong, it is wrong.

The moment your intuition senses danger, run. I’m a big fan of running, just like gazelles’ are big fans of running from lions.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADT Pulse on Fox News. Disclosures

Victim Jumps from Second Floor in Home Invasion

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In Illinois in an apartment building that just happens to be in yelling distance from a police station, a man jumped from his second floor window screaming for help. Fortunately the police were able to catch the two guys who invaded his apartment.

Apparently he didn’t have a home security alarm system, which is an option in an apartment and something to consider.

Two men kicked in his door threatening the man with a gun and proceeded to tie the guy up. When they left to kick in the door of another apartment he was able to break free and that’s when he jumped.

I’ve often thought of what my response would be in a situation like this as my home has multiple floors. As a result I’ve taken my wife floor to floor and discussed the possibilities of escape and the logistics involved.

Jumping from a second floor window or porch certainly could kill you. So can falling off a chair you might be standing on to water plants. However a second floor window in most cases won’t be much higher than 20 feet and faced with a gun or a knife wielded by a violent home invader, jumping 20 feet for this guy was definitely an option for him.

On houses with porches that have poles and posts and the resident is adept at climbing that may be a consideration for some.

The safest and most recommended option is a fire escape ladder. I own a 25 foot ladder, three-story fire escape ladder with anti-slip rungs that can hang out a window.

It’s in my closet in case of fire or a home invasion and hopefully I never have to use it.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to Home Security Source discussing ADT Pulse™ on Fox News. Disclosures