FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Police and elected leaders are urging residents to think about personal and property security over the holiday season.
Most property crimes are “crimes of opportunity” and no season provides more opportunities than November, December and January, according to Marion County Sheriff’s Detective David Forsythe.
“This time of year it’s dark a lot so one of the first things you can do is have every well-lit. A little bit of preparedness goes a long way in a situation like that,” Forsythe said.
He said lock doors, windows and your vehicle, even in your own driveway to eliminate crimes of opportunity.
“Most of these people don’t want to engage whoever it is they are breaking into. They are there as an opportunist. They are hoping they have no confrontation. If you do confront them most of the time they are going to run away,” Forsythe said.
He said it’s always best to call police.
“Part of what we’re here for is to make sure nothing is going on,” Forsythe said, “If we end up coming to something that is a false alarm, then better safe than sorry.”
Another step homeowners can take is to keep brand names, model numbers and serial numbers of expensive items in writing in separate place. Police can use the information to track property in the event of a burglary or theft.
State Attorney Patrick Morrisey said last-minute gift card purchases can also be the target of crimes of opportunity.
“Take a moment and make sure the back hasn’t been scratched off and the pin number revealed,” Morrisey said. “You also want to make sure that when you are paying full value that’s the amount that you are actually getting on the card.”
Morrisey said using a gift card is like using cash.
“While it could be a great gift–know that you don’t get some of the same protections you get when you use a credit card,” he said.
Other suggestions from Morrisey to avoid falling prey to gift card scammers include
:
–Purchase gift cards from behind the customer service desk
–If selecting from a rack, select a gift card that is less accessible, such as the middle position on one of the pegs as opposed to the first one.
–Watch for any sign of tampering, like a PIN number that has been scratched off.
–Avoid purchasing cards from an online auction.
–If the card is preloaded, ask for the card to be scanned to verify its full value.
–Check for stickers placed over the legitimate barcode and ensure the barcode on the back of the card matches the number on the packaging.
–Like any gift, the consumer should keep the receipt.
Those with questions can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808, the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office in Martinsburg at 304-267-0239 or visit the office online at www.wvago.gov.