Archive for category: ADT Home Security systems

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

In the past decade we have witnessed child abductions like never before. One would be led to believe that “times have changed” and abductions are a new phenomena. The reality is child abductions have been going on since the beginning of time. In the 30’s, Charles Lindbergh Jr.’s 20 month old son was abducted and it made huge US media coverage.

The media since, especially over the last decade, has deemed this a hot button and seems to have picked up on it.  At any given time one can turn the channel and see live coverage of the next kid absconded. The old-school training, I and many others received early on was “don’t talk to strangers” as if strangers were the dangerous ones. Actually, most abductions occur when a family member takes the child as a result of a custody battle.

When a true stranger steals a child, they often don’t survive beyond 3 hours.

No matter what the statistics are, child abductions are real and they happen far too often.

Protecting yourself and children begins with understanding basic security.

As simple as it sounds, do not engage in behavior that creates an opportunity for the bad guy. Today most helicopter parents won’t take their eyes off their kids, and I don’t see that as a bad thing. I know many will argue that point, but I don’t care.

Always have recent pictures and video of your child for police if they go missing. If you are inclined to invest in a fingerprint of DNA kit that certainly doesn’t hurt.

In the event that a child was to be approached, the best defense is a good offense. Resistance has often been a proven tactic for removing oneself from a dangerous situation. Running, screaming, biting, hitting and kicking feel unnatural to teach your kids, but are certainly natural traits they possess. I say if they are good at it now, train them to do it better!

As soon as your child is at an age where they can comprehend this issue it’s time to discuss it. Age 4 they have a pretty good grasp, but age five they seem to be on solid footing.

Role play with your kids. This is a delicate balance of awareness and play. Intellectually introduce scenarios for them to respond to. See how they articulate a response. Let them figure it out on their own. Then if they don’t give you the answer you were looking for, work with them to understand the nature of their choice and its negative impact.

Be specific, but be careful how you associate your analogies. Example: “if a white van pulled up next to you” will freak your kid out every time they see a white van and only make them wary of vans opposed to those in cars or on foot.

Make sure to discuss the Internet and online predators. This is an entire future post. But in the meantime, do your research and know what risks they face. Take control of their access to PC’s and monitor everything they do.

Most importantly, this kind of education is about empowerment. It’s about taking control. It’s a gentle awareness that can very well save their lives. Don’t guilt them into making the right decisions and make them feel bad about not understanding the issue. If they aren’t ready to comprehend the issue then back off.

And because they spend the majority of their time at home, do all the necessary things to strengthen your fort. Yes, I call my home my fort. Invest in home alarms systems. Install home security cameras inside and outside the home. Install proper fencing that keeps them in and others out. Always keep an eye on people who look out of place. Don’t take your eyes off the ones who belong either. Question authority. And live in peace and harmony. The chances that something like this can happen are very very slim. But there is a chance. So these are your options.  Here’s more from PsychologyToday

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing child security on CNBC

Robert Siciliano Identity Theft Expert

It’s a scenario played out every day. Harry Homeowner needs a new roof, home security system, or kitchen installed. He does his due diligence searching out reputable contractors who offer fair pricing. He may look in the classified section of the local paper, do a search online, look on Craigslist or make some calls to friends and family who recently had a new roof installed.

And in every single scenario Harry can get burnt. Each resource provides their own set of pros and cons, and every resource is used by scammers.

The biggest issue consumers face is the fact they don’t do their homework. People fall into 2 categories, 1: they are naïve and have no clue that someone may be looking to scam them or 2: they think they are so smart that nobody can scam them. But if you are smart enough to know that this can happen to you, and do your best to prevent it, you reduce the risks associated with contractor fraud.

Before embarking on hiring any contractor, do your homework. Read up on what the processes are to do the job at hand. While a new roof or home alarm may not be something you want to learn how to do, there are plenty of “do it yourself” or DIY websites that can teach you. Spending 2 minutes searching and 20 minutes reading can save you money and make you sound intelligent to the contractor when asking the right questions.

The best resource is always doing business with someone you know like and trust.  Well known brands often vet out contractors and have zero tolerance policies for shoddy work. But you may not know a roofer or alarm installer. So, find a friend or other trusted source who does know a contractor and higher them. But that doesn’t mean you automatically trust. The Better Business Bureau is a great resource for consumers looking to deal with reputable companies. This is your best resource.

Rule of thumb is to always get 3 contractors to bid the job. Be cognizant of how they handle themselves, their level of understanding of the work at hand, and whether or not they voluntarily offer up references. Don’t just automatically trust the guy with the whitest teeth and lowest price. Pay attention to your gut.

Always check references thoroughly. If it makes sense for the job at hand, drive by the house that was referenced and actually look to see the quality of the work that was done. Often construction jobs costs thousands and taking the time to check work is worth your time.

Get everything in legible writing that is laid out in a contract that clearly spells it all out.

Many contractors will request money up front to do the job. Often they need that money as a “commitment” to do the job and motivate them to fill their trucks up with the tools and stock to do the job. This is where I get nervous. I recommend requesting you go with them to whatever supplier they get their stock from and paying for it directly. If they charge a markup on the stock (it’s usually 15%) tell them you’ll gladly give that to them.

It’s best to break the payment down in 3 parts. You’ve already paid for the stock so now all you have to do is pay for labor.  One third upon showing up to do the work, one third halfway through the job and one third when they are done.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing scam prevention on The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch on CNBC