Personal Safety2023-08-04T13:43:14-04:00

Personal Safety

Missing Juvenile Recovery Tips from Orange Village Police Department

Orange Village Police Department is part of a multi-jurisdictional missing persons team, officially, known as the Child Abduction Response Team (CART).  The following tips may assist if an incident occurs:

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  • Do not delay in contacting the police by dialing 9-1-1. Call for assistance the moment you believe that your child is missing.  There is no waiting period for children under the age of 18.
  • Be aware of your child’s cell phone and social media use/information: Cell phone carrier, number, passcode, social media user names and passwords and what social media sites they use.
  • Keep a photo of your child (digital and printed) ready in your home and especially when you travel with your child.
  • Be aware of your child’s current physical description. Pay attention to what they are wearing when they dress in the morning, be aware of what their backpack and outerwear look like.  Know current height/weight.
  • Be familiar with who your child socializes with, their parents and where he/she hangs out.
  • Familiarize yourself with the electronic devices your child has access to, including those provided by schools and other extracurricular entities.
  • Maintain a list of any monetary means or account accessible to your child.
  • Do not hesitate to inform police of special circumstances regarding your child. Ex. special needs or disabilities, custody issues or history of running away.
  • Purchase a State ID for your child and renew every 4 years.
  • Talk with your child about personal safety: Stranger Awareness, Safety Friends, Internet Dangers.

Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email:
Where to Go to “Just Say No”

Tired of having your mailbox crammed with unsolicited mail, including pre-approved credit card applications? Fed up with getting telemarketing calls just as you’re sitting down to dinner? Fuming that your email inbox is chock-full of unsolicited advertising? The good news is that you can cut down on the number of unsolicited mailings, calls, and emails you receive by learning where to go to “just say no.”
Credit Bureaus
The credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables you to “opt-out” of having pre-approved credit offers sent to you for five years. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT (567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com for more information. When you call, you’ll be asked for personal information, including your home telephone number, your name, and your Social Security number. The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out of receiving pre-screened offers of credit. In addition, you can notify the three major credit bureaus that you do not want personal information about you shared for promotional purposes—an important step toward eliminating unsolicited mail. Write your own letter or use the sample letter on the back of this Alert to limit the amount of information the credit bureaus will share about you. Send your letter to each of the three major credit bureaus:

Experian
901 West Bond
Lincoln, NE 68521
Attn: Consumer Services Department

TransUnion
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 505
Woodlyn, PA 19094

Equifax, Inc.
Options
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123

Direct Marketers

Telemarketing
The federal government has created the National Do Not Call Registry — a free, easy way to reduce the telemarketing calls you get at home. To register your phone number or to get information about the registry, visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-3821-222 from the phone number you want to register. You will get fewer telemarketing calls within 31 days of registering your number. Telephone numbers on the registry will only be removed when they are disconnected and reassigned, or when you choose to remove a number from the registry.

Mail

The Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail Preference Service lets you opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial mail from many national companies for five years. When you register with this service (for a $1 fee), your name will be put on a “delete” file and made available to direct-mail marketers. However, your registration will not stop mailings from organizations that do not use the DMA’s Mail Preference Service. To register with DMA’s Mail Preference Service, go to www.dmachoice.org.

Email

The DMA also has an Email Preference Service to help you reduce unsolicited commercial emails. To opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial email from DMA members, visit www.dmachoice.org/EMPS. Your online request will be effective for five years.

Department of Motor Vehicles

The Drivers Privacy Protection Act allows states to distribute personal information only to law enforcement officials, courts, government agencies, private investigators, insurance underwriters, and similar businesses—but not for direct marketing and other uses. As always, call the Orange Village Police Department (440-498-4401) to report any suspicious activity that pertains to your credit or finances.

Press Release

Date: January 16, 2019
Media contact: Miranda Pomiecko: (216) 698-2546; mpomiecko@cuyahogacounty.us

Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs Warns Residents of New Round of Impostor Scams

CLEVELAND – The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs is warning residents about a new round of impostor scams impersonating County Sheriff’s deputies or court officials.

Arrest and court scams were the most-complained about category of scams reported to the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs in 2018.

Over the weekend, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department received multiple complaints about impostor calls in which scammers identified themselves as deputies. When a Sheriff’s Department employee dialed one number reported by a resident, the scammer answered by saying, “Cuyahoga County Sheriff.”

In these scams, callers posing as police or court officials tell potential victims they missed a court date and threaten them with immediate arrest or account seizure unless they pay a fine. Some scammers may initially tell people to go to the Justice Center to pay, but when victims call back as instructed, they ultimately are told to pay using retail gift cards or money wires—forms of payment that government agencies do not accept.

“Calls threatening you with arrest, lawsuits or account seizure are flat-out scams,” said Sheryl Harris, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs. “These scammers steal the names of real agencies solely to scare you into paying them.”

Nine of the top 10 scams reported to Cuyahoga County Consumer Affairs in 2018 were impostor scams. They are:

1) Arrest/Court Scams (Scammers pose as law enforcement or court officials)
2) IRS Scams (Callers pose as IRS agents)
3) Computer Tech Scam (Callers pretend to be techs offering help with one’s computer)
4) Sweepstakes/Lottery Scams
5) Grandparent Scams (Callers pretend to be grandkids in trouble with the law)
6) Robocalls (Tie with grandparent scams)
7) Social Security or Medicare Scams
8) Credit or Account Scams (Callers pose as banks or offer to lower credit rates)
9) Charity Scam Calls
10) Debt Collection Scams (Tie with charity calls)

So far in 2019, Consumer Affairs has been receiving additional reports of impostor calls offering free braces or other medical equipment.

The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs offers these tips for avoiding impostor scams:

• Don’t trust caller ID readings—scammers often spoof names and numbers.

• Let numbers you don’t recognize go to voicemail. And don’t call unknown callers back.

• Hang up on anyone who threatens you with arrest, legal action or seizure of your accounts.

• Hang up if someone claims to be a grandchild in trouble with the law.

• Remember, it’s not “free” or a “prize” if you have to pay.

• If you’re worried, call police, Scam Squad or family for help checking out the call.

• Hang up if a caller insists on staying on the phone while you go to the bank or to buy gift cards. That’s a ploy to keep you from checking out the story.

• Hang up if anyone directs you to pay using store gift cards, money wires or mailed cash. They’re scammer favorites because they’re hard for police to trace.

Cuyahoga County residents who receive scam calls are encouraged to report them by visiting consumeraffairs.cuyahogacounty.us or by calling the Scam Squad line at 216-443-SCAM (7226).

Imposter Calls from ‘U.S. Treasury’ Targeting Ohioans

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned that Ohio consumers are receiving scam phone calls from individuals pretending to represent the U.S. Treasury.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has received approximately 50 reports of the scam in the last four weeks. more …

“It can be intimidating to get a call from someone claiming to represent the government and threatening you by demanding immediate payment or personal information,” Attorney General DeWine said. “These kinds of calls are almost always scams. When in doubt, hang up and call a number you know is legitimate. Don’t use the number provided by the caller.”

In one variation of the scam, the consumer receives a call from a phone number with a 323 or 213 (Los Angeles) area code. The caller, “Steve,” claims to be with the U.S. Treasury. He says the consumer owes money for taxes and will be investigated or arrested unless the consumer makes an immediate payment.

The phone number may be “spoofed,” or disguised, to conceal the true origin of the call. Most consumers do not report losing money to the U.S. Treasury imposter scams, but consumers who respond to the calls may start to receive more unsolicited calls. (By responding to scam calls, consumers reveal that their phone number belongs to a real person.)

On Tuesday, Attorney General DeWine announced that he and 38 other state attorneys general were urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to determine whether phone companies could use call-blocking technology to better protect consumers from unwanted calls and scams.

In their letter to the FCC, the attorneys general asked for a formal opinion on whether phone companies could use call-blocking technology, upon a consumer’s request, to block unsolicited phone calls when the caller appears to be a telemarketer.

Consumers who suspect a scam or unfair business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.

U.S. Treasury or IRS impersonation scams can be reported to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at www.tigta.gov or 800-366-4484.

One Ring Scams

The most current alerts we have received from the Attorney General is a “One Ring Scam”. This is another way individuals are attempting to take money from your pockets. These calls can cost you $20.00 or more! Here’s how it works.

You receive one ring on your home or cellular phone. You don’t recognize the number so you call it back. When you do, the number is routed to an international number that authorizes a charge of up to $20.00 dollars, with an additional $9.00 per minute charge. The number you call back is usually a recording or advertisement designed to keep you on the phone, thus incurring more minutes.

Remember “Curiosity Killed the Cat”. To avoid this from happening to you, don’t call the number back. If someone really needs to get a hold of you they will call back.

FRAUD ALERT
IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT MAY BE!
Allow us to remind each of you about dealing with contractors.

Whether you are looking to hire someone to clean your windows, gutters or to plow your driveways please understand the following:

You should be suspicious of the contractor if any of these apply.

Does not list a number in the phone book, which may indicate a fly-by-night operation. They may seem legitimate in the beginning, but as soon as you make your first payment for the job they may vanish.

Asks you to get required building permits. Contractors should provide all necessary permits. If they don’t, they may not be licensed or registered properly under the requirements of your state or locality.

Only accepts cash. A legitimate business should have the appropriate financial accounts and should accept a variety of payment options from clients, including personal checks and credit cards.

Solicits door-to-door. Most legitimate contractors find enough work through word of mouth referrals or a service.

IMPORTANT!!!!!!
If you give partial payment to a contractor and that person does partial work for you, the POLICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT help. By sending partial payment and some of the work being completed you have created a civil agreement! It is always a good idea to check references and check the Better Business Bureau with the name of the contractor you are thinking about. For further information visit the Ohio Attorney General’s web page at www.ag.state.oh.gov. As always, feel free to contact Detective Nebe at 440.287.5212 or Detective Sherwood at 440.287.5210.

MAGAZINE SALE FRAUD ALERT

Every spring we receive complaints about people soliciting magazines door to door. The Orange Village Hall will not allow permission for this type of activity. If you want a magazine subscription we advise you to obtain it through more proven methods, like at the news stand.
One of the favorite lines used by these scammers will be delivered to you on your front porch by a young person that will say – “Hi I’m a student at Orange High School and we are selling magazines for a class trip”.

Don’t fall for this. Often, the person lives out of state and has dropped out of school or is a drifter.

If you decide you must subscribe, please consider the following:

Decide to subscribe. The cost may be described as “pennies a month” but you need to know the length of the subscription commitment and the total cost. Legitimate companies will give you all the details upfront and never insist that you act immediately.

Be cautious about unsolicited emails. They are often fraudulent. If you are familiar with the company that sent you the email and you don’t want to receive further messages, send a reply asking to be removed from the email list. However, responding to unknown senders may simply verify that yours is a working email address and result in even more unwanted messages from strangers. The best approach may simply be to delete the email.

Be wary of “free prizes.” They’re not free if you have to buy magazines to get them.

Know the cancellation policy. Some subscription services don’t allow cancellations once they have placed the orders with the publishers.

Watch out for imposters. Crooks may pretend to be acting on behalf of well-known magazine publishers, when they have absolutely no connection with them at all and will simply pocket your money.

Don’t give your credit card or bank account information unless you’re making a payment. There is no reason why the company would need that information for any other purpose.

Check the prices. It might be cheaper to buy the magazines directly from the publishers than through a subscription service.

As always feel free to call the Orange Village Police Department with any concerns or suspicions.

Identity Theft

Just having charges applied to your credit cards may not constitute ID Theft. Persons may contact the Orange Village Police Department Detective Bureau at 440-287-5219 and discuss their situations.
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. Major businesses have reported the hijacking of sensitive internal customer files, which could be used to victimize millions of citizens throughout the country.

Because of the ever changing climate and the need to provide current information, we have provided the website link to the Ohio Attorney Generals page on ID Theft. It provides what steps to take, your legal rights, how to handle specific problems and what things to look out for in the future.

Citizens are encouraged to file a police report with the police agency that has jurisdiction where the crime occurred. If you are unable to file a report with the agency having jurisdiction contact your local police agency for a report. Even though your local agency may not be able to investigate the offense, at least a report will be on file documenting the identity theft. It is recommended you obtain a copy of the report and make multiple copies.

The link is Ohio Attorney General

Other Helpful Links

Federal Trade Commission
Better Business Bureau
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Credit Report.com

Utilize Parental Controls provided by your Internet Service Provider. Check with your provider directly to determine availability and usage.

Educate yourself about Internet safety for both children and adults at any of the many online sites such as:

  • http://www.staysafeonline.org/ Information for kids, teens, parents, 50+ and more.
  • http://www.isafe.org/ i-SAFE is a non-profit foundation whose mission is to educate and empower youth to make their Internet experiences safe and responsible.
  • http://www.safekids.com/
  • http://www.safeteens.com/
  • http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm FBI’s “A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety”
  • http://www.wiredkids.org Information for children of all ages, parents, educators, etc.
  • http://www.missingkids.com/ Good resource for Internet safety as well as child molestation prevention, etc.
  • http://www.netsmartz.org/ Provided by National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Be constantly wary of online scams, identity theft, personal information scams known as “phishing,” spyware, and hoaxes*. Trustworthy sites such as those below provide a wealth of information:
http://onguardonline.gov Provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. Especially relevant are their Stop-Think-Click tips.

  • http://www.scambusters.org/index.html
    Scams, phishing, identity theft, and much more.
    www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html Hoax information.
  • http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/
    Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft information.

*Hoaxes may appear relatively harmless but the cost and risk associated is multiplied by millions of individuals propagating hoax e-mail. Costs involve wasted time and e-mail server processing resources, which may slow down to a crawl or crash under the heavy load. Spammers (bulk mailers of unsolicited mail) harvest e-mail addresses from hoaxes and chain letters.

Wireless Network Safety

Many of you have wireless networks at home to gain access to the internet. Numerous security problems can result if you do not take the proper steps to secure your network. Here are a few tips to help secure your network.

Change the Default Username and Password
At the core of most Wi-Fi home networks is an access point and/or router. For most equipment, the default user name and password are simple and very well-known to hackers on the internet.
Turn on WPA / WEP Encryption
Access points and routers all use a network name called the SSID. Manufacturers ship their products with the same SSID. An example is Linksys ships all of their products with “Linksys” as its SSID. Why is it important to change the defaulted SSID? Any good hacker that see’s a SSID that have not been changed see a poorly configured network and are much more likely to attack it.

Enable MAC Address Filtering
Each piece of Wi-Fi equipment possesses a unique identifier called the physical address or MAC address. Most routers have an option to key in the MAC addresses that restrict their networks to only those devices that have been manually entered.

Disable SSID Broadcast
Each access point and router broadcasts its SSID (network name) over the air at regular intervals. For home users, this is unnecessary, and it increases the chances of someone trying to logon to your network.

Enable Firewalls on Each Computer
Most routers have built in firewall capabilities. Ensure your router’s firewall as well as each computer that connects to your router is enabled.

Router and Access Point Location
Wi-Fi signals WILL reach the exterior of your home. The further your signal reaches, the easier it is for others to exploit your network. Position your router and access points near the center of your home to minimize Wi-Fi leakage.

Disable your Network During Extended Periods of Non-Use
Shutting down your network will prevent outside hackers from breaking in. Although impractical on a daily basis, during vacations or extended travel, power off your computers as well as your routers and access points.

oh.i-crimes.logoThe “SHAQ SHIELD”

Shaq Shield is a free iPhone app that provides parents with the tools and knowledge they need to protect their children from online predators. Features of the app include:

  • A Sex Offender Registry search
  • Internet safety tips
  • Glossary of Internet terminology
  • Lingo used by children online
  • Pledges by parents and children for shared internet responsibility

Guard your children from online predators. Download Shaq Shield from the iTunes App Store today.

Please click here to download the app to your iPhone.

Orange Village Police Department is now offering R.A.D. for women.

What Is The R.A.D. System?

The RAPE AGGRESSION DEFENSE SYSTEM
is a program of realistic, self-defense tactics and techniques. The RAD System is a comprehensive course for women that begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands on defense training. RAD is NOT a martial arts program. Our courses are taught by certified RAD Instructors and provide you with a workbook/reference manual. This manual outlines the entire Physical Defense Program for reference and continuous personal growth. The RAD system of Physical Defense is currently being taught at many colleges and universities. The growing and wide spread acceptance of this system is primarily due to the ease, simplicity and effectiveness of our tactics, solid research, legal defensibility and unique teaching methodology. The RAD System is dedicated to teaching women defensive concepts and techniques against various types of assault by utilizing easy, effective and proven self-defense/martial arts tactics. Our systems of realistic defense will provide a woman with the knowledge to make an educated decision about resistance.

We operate on the premise that a spontaneous violent attack will stimulate a natural desire to resist on the part of the victim (supported by research). We educate women about “The Fight or Flight Syndrome,” while showing them that enhancing their option of physical defense is not only prudent, but a necessity if natural resistance is to be effective.

[Click here] to see demonstrations.

Safety and survival in today’s world requires a definite course of action. We provide effective options by teaching women to take an active role in their own self-defense and psychological well being.

The Orange Village Police Department is offering continuing courses through the year. Due to the high demand for this class you should contact the department’s certified instructor as soon as possible. Class dates can also be obtained from the instructor.

R.A.D. Classes are held regularly!
The class size is limited and due to high demand will fill up quickly! The classes are open to ALL women ages 13 and older. Reserve your place today by stopping by the Orange Village Police Department

To find out when the next RAD program is being offered you can contact the following certified RAD instructor or Program Representative.

Sergeant Eric Sommers
Orange Village Police Department
4600 Lander Rd
Orange Village, OH 44022

(440) 498-4401 ext 5214

FINALLY, PHYSICAL DEFENSE PROGRAM FOR WOMEN THAT:

Has established the standard for female self-defense programs;

Offers no-nonsense, practical techniques of defense;

Researched the effects of “The Fight or Flight Syndrome”;

Offers advanced self-defense courses that build upon the physical defense system;

Provides realistic and dynamic hands-on training;

Provides students with a comprehensive Reference Manual;

Has a litigation defense policy;

Certifies instructors from the community;

Every student receives a lifetime membership policy;

All students receive a lifetime free return and practice policy.
1 out of every 3 women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime. 1 out of every 4 college women polled was sexually assaulted during four years of college. (Ms. Magazine, Study on Sexual Assault and Rape)

Approximately 28% of victims are raped by husbands or boyfriends, 35% by acquaintances, and 5% by other relatives. (Violence against Women, United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics)

Develop Your Options.

2015 US Department of Justice crime statistics

There were an estimated 90,185 rapes (legacy definition) reported to law enforcement in 2015. This estimate was 6.3 percent higher than the 2014 estimate, 7.1 percent higher than the 2011 estimate.

  • Victims take some sort of self protective measures in most violent crime victimizations.
  • Rape victims are more likely to defend themselves than assault or robbery victims.
  • The most often used strategy is a combination of screaming and physical resistance.

Don’t Be Victimized By Fear.
“Women who fought to the best of their abilities were not only more likely to be successful in thwarting the rape attempt, but less likely to suffer severe distress symptoms.” (Mellisa Soalt, AKA “Dr. Ruthless”, Fight Back Against Rape)