Card Skimming Precautions

Here are some steps to prevent card skimming:

1. Hide your PIN from cameras. Your bankcard won't work without the PIN. Thieves usually obtain the PIN with a micro camera stationed near the card processor. So keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place. It might be a camera. In any event, shield the keypad with your body or free hand when entering your PIN.

2. Use ATM's that are familiar to you. Look for anything out of place. Any wires exposed? Tape evident? Hardware loose? If so, find another ATM. Use an ATM inside a bank whenever possible. Stay away from ATMs in remote locations or that appear seldom used. These are easy to tamper with and might even be dummy cash machines.

3. Wiggle your ATM card. When you insert your card, wiggle it while it's in the slot. If something seems loose, there might be theft device attached to the swipe hardware. Wiggling the card might jar the theft device from its hiding place.

4. Always check your account each day. One of the best protections against continued use of your stolen information is to check bank statements regularly. With a debit card, you may be responsible for the first $50 and you must report theft within two business days of discovery and no later than 60 days after the theft for protection. Credit cards have more protections and might be a better choice if you have any reservations about an ATM or processing machine. Sign up for mobile banking on your smart phone and define some email alerts provided by your bank. This way you will be notified immediately, if your balance gets low, too much is withdrawn, or if someone uses your account over seas.

5. Security cameras can also give you peace of mind. ATMs and gas pumps that are under video surveillance and have cameras aimed directly at the card readers are less likely to be fitted with card-skimming equipment.

6. Watch your card. When you give your card to a waiter or clerk, be skeptical of any request to swipe it through multiple devices or if they must leave your sight.

7. Be careful at the gas station. Gas stations are among the most prone to skimming. Use a credit card or choose the credit option on your bankcard. Use the pump closest to the cashier booth.

Kidnapping Scam

Deputies Caution Public About Kidnapping Scam

Osceola County (May 16, 2011)-- Osceola County Sheriff's deputies are cautioning the public regarding a kidnapping scam. Since May 14, the Sheriff's Office has taken six reports from individuals who received a call in Spanish, informing them a family member had been held against their will, and demanding the family send money to an undisclosed bank account in Puerto Rico. In three of the five cases from the weekend, the caller stated their family member was in a car accident and injured. The caller threatened to further harm the family member if money was not sent immediately. Two of the calls claimed the caller had kidnapped a family member and demanded money. All of the calls had similar phone numbers and all demanded money be sent to Puerto Rico.

If you receive a similar call, remain calm and contact your family member immediately. If you are unable to contact your family member, call law enforcement immediately. Deputies also encourage the public to attempt to verify the authenticity of the caller's claim by asking questions to verify the identity of the kidnapped victim. Even if you have confirmed your family member is safe, report the incident to law enforcement. When you report the incident, provide law enforcement with the following: confirmation your family member is safe, specific demands made by the caller, gender and accent of the caller, date, time and place the caller arranged for the ransom to be paid and any other information that will be helpful in locating the caller.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Osceola County Sheriff's Office at (407) 348-2222 or Crimeline at (800) 423-TIPS (8477). Calls made to Crimeline remain anonymous, and tips that lead to the felony arrest of suspects and/or the recovery of stolen property and drugs are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000 dollars.

TWELVE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
   
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
   
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
   
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
   
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
   
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
   
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
   
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.) 10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
   
10. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
    
11. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
    
12. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of A real television. (Find it at http://www.faketv.com/ <http://www.faketv.com/> )
    
    8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
    
    
13. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
    
14. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
    
15. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear It again.. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
    
16. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
    
17. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
    
18. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
    
19. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
    
20. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the Jackpot and walk right in.
    

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina, Oregon, California, and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runshttp://www.crimedoctor.com// <http://www.crimedoctor.com/>  and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on The Job PROTECTION FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME.

Motorists oftentimes do not see emergency vehicles, and fail to avoid closed lanes or emergency workers on or near the roadway. In some cases, weather and road conditions can reduce a motorist's ability to see law enforcement officers, fire fighters and medical personnel working the scene of a crash. However, motorists need to pay attention to vehicles parked on the side of roadways, especially emergency vehicles with flashing lights, and react in accordance with the Move Over Law and use basic common sense.

Law requires you to vacate the lane closest to the EMERGENCY VEHICLE or WRECKER (TOW TRUCK).  If you cannot, you must slow to a speed 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.  If the speed limit is 20mph or less you must slow to 5 mph.

Tips for Reporting Graffiti

Reporting graffiti to the police is important for intelligence gathering purpose but it is also equally important to report graffiti to Code Enforcement who can require the owner of the property to remove it within 24 to 48 hours. Attached is a copy of important city department phone numbers.

The Osceola County Sheriff Office has also started a new graffiti abatement program. They will be going out two Fridays a month to paint over graffiti in the city and county. If you locate any graffiti call 321-697-4374 (please put this number on your web-site) with the location. They will not respond to painted street signs and items like that.

Click here for details