Thieves

[JessicaW]

My first post here (other than my introduction).

Last week my debit card number was stolen and all the money in mine and my husbands account was stolen. The money was returned quickly and all cards cancelled, and alerts activated. We got the address of the person that did it but the police don't have any "proof" it was him. So hes basically free while I went several days with little money and spending lots of time at the police station, banks, and credit bureau.

Today I get a call from my mother. Shes telling me to look on craigslist for her old engagement ring and several necklaces and then to check pawn shops in my area. Her voice is very shaky and she explained to me that someone walked right into my grandparents house yesterday and stole my grandads wallet and some jewelry (some sentimental, some not so much). It seems like it might have been someone that knew their way around the house, the police said it looks like they walked in the back door and went straight to the bedroom where the wallet and jewelry was, and left. Didn't steal guns or anything else. Luckily my grandmother was at church and my grandfather was down at his shop (pretty far away from the house and far enough away that an 86 year old man wouldn't hear anyone near the house).

So I am taking precautions for my husband and I (and our bank accounts) and getting a safe and locking up our debit cards, we are only going to be using prepaid cards and cash from now on. I am thinking about not using internet banking anymore (which sucks because thats how I pay all of our bills). We already have an alarm system on our house, a german shepherd, and a weinie dog with a little man complex.

I am wondering what kind of set up we should get for my grandparents. They are in their mid-80's, I want to get a basic security system for their house but I don't know if they would use it. We are going to Lowes today to pick up some security signs to post around the house, and we are also going to set up wireless cameras by all the exterior doors. Any other ideas? A safe maybe?

I have realized through all of this, that I was so unprepared for an even like this. I used my debit card for everything. I had about 30 dollars in cash on me when our money was stolen. All of our savings accounts are in my husbands name, and he was out of town at the time. So I had to mooch off of my parents for the whole weekend until the money was returned. It was hard. I am going to try to start keeping emergency back up cash in the house. Any other thoughts or suggestions?

[Tater Raider]

Emergency back-up cash: Some on your person (EDC - Every Day Carry), some in your BOB, you said guns so I'm going to assume gun safe - some in there, and some in your bank - debit card seperate from the rest of your cards.

If you are going to do a security system do it right and have a monitoring company come in and do it. Most run free install deals. This gives you fire, CO2, and theft protection with police on the way - just make sure you use it.

ID theft protection. I'm not recommending a company but some offer insurance in case they fail as part of the protection they offer - go with that.

Insurance. Homeowner's or Renter's Insurance is a must if you are serious about prepping, and it offers replacement on stolen goods. The alarm system with at-home monitoring should give you a discount too.

[dukman]

Some people would actually say it is better to pay your bills online as the thief couldn't just rifle through your mail for account numbers, etc, etc. I have two profiles on my computer, the main one for my personal uses, and the second one for my web surfing. This second one has very strict controls that way it is less likely for a trojan virus to get a foothold on my computer.

[raptor]

I know people here hate credit cards.

However, debit cards as seen in this instance are IMO a real potential nightmare. If a debit card or ATM card is compromised you are out the cash until you prove the transactions were fraudulent.

I make a point of never carrying a debt card or an ATM card with me. I carry only a credit card and carry only a minimal amount of cash on my person. I buy literally everything on one credit card. I pay off the credit by a single on line direct payment from my bank to the credit card company.

As for on line payments I actually prefer this since it does not require mailing a paper check. IMO this can be more secure assuming of course you take some basic precautions. These include a strong password AND user ID. Do not make it simple for a crook by using something obvious for a user ID. This way you in fact have two passwords.

There are risks with key loggers and other malware but IMO it is far less risky than send paper checks to everyone who does work for you.

Also you should never, ever use an ATM machine that you are not 100% certain is owned and operated by your bank. There are not requirements for ownership of private party ATM machines. What that means is if Joe Crook wants to get your debit/ATM card information, the easiest thing to do is buy an ATM machine that charges no fees for transactions and simply logs the data. You even provide Joe Crook with your PIN. How simple is that?

Never let a debit or ATM card out of your sight...ever, for any reason.

[jamoni]

Do you have a close family member with an addiction problem? Because unless you live in a crap neighborhood, it sounds like you have a family member who needs cash.

[KYZHunters]

Do you have a close family member with an addiction problem? Because unless you live in a crap neighborhood, it sounds like you have a family member who needs cash.

Sadly, I had the problem Jamoni described.

[Tater Raider]

Do you have a close family member with an addiction problem? Because unless you live in a crap neighborhood, it sounds like you have a family member who needs cash.

I hadn't thought of that but that is exactly what it sounds like. Dang.

[JessicaW]

Thanks for the replies. I have already decided that my new debit card will not leave our house. I have ordered a prepaid Amex card that I will start using when I can't use cash.

Yesterday evening we went to my grandparents and put up some security system signs and stickers that we bought at Lowes. Those should be an okay deterrent until we get a real security system installed there. I am worried that the thieves may come back since it was so easy for them to steal the first time. They might decide to stay a little longer a second time, and take their time to really go through things. Some of the items taken were dumped in the driveway, so we walked up and down the roads around the house looking to see if they had thrown stuff out as they were driving, but we didn't find anything.

We discussed it being someone that knows them... we couldn't come up with anyone that would do that to them. I have a few enemies, but I (and my enemies) live over an hour away from my grandparents. (They aren't like violent enemies either, more like gossip enemies).

We are on such high alert because of all of this. Last night I was cleaning my car out with my garage door open, and my husband came out to move his truck and when he turned his truck on, the lights shined right on a parked car in the shadows. The car turned on and drove forward and blocked our driveway (like he was expecting my husband to try to back out). When my husband got out of his truck, the guy in the car stared at him for a while then took off slowly. He came back around a few times slowly, so we called the police and got a gun out. Eventually we found out he was just looking for a lost dog. It terrifies me though that this guy was parked, and possibly watching me and I had no idea (and wouldn't have ever known if my husband didn't come out to move his truck). Very scary.

[smokinbunta]

He came back around a few times slowly, so we called the police and got a gun out. Eventually we found out he was just looking for a lost dog. It terrifies me though that this guy was parked, and possibly watching me and I had no idea (and wouldn't have ever known if my husband didn't come out to move his truck). Very scary.

I wish we had the :BS FLAG: smiley... Cause thats what it smells like..... His actions as you described doesn't match his "intentions"

[silversnake]

He came back around a few times slowly, so we called the police and got a gun out. Eventually we found out he was just looking for a lost dog. It terrifies me though that this guy was parked, and possibly watching me and I had no idea (and wouldn't have ever known if my husband didn't come out to move his truck). Very scary.

I wish we had the :BS FLAG: smiley... Cause thats what it smells like..... His actions as you described doesn't match his "intentions"

Agreed. If you're "looking for a lost dog" you're either driving around or walking around actively, not sitting in front of someone's driveway for a prolonged period of time. However, be careful you're not letting this theft color all of your impressions. It could be that he was just driving slowly down the street and paused to take advantage of your husband's headlights to take a good look at what's doing on the opposite side of the street.

Either way, best of luck with getting everything set up so you're secure and the grandparents are OK. There's some great advice in this thread. Though, I think you might want to re-assess that conversation with the grandparents and not limit it to "who are enemies that would want to do bad things like this". We had a theft from a family member that was an adult son looking for some quick cash and another ID theft that was "that nice nephew of yours that everyone liked so much at the family reunion".

[JessicaW]

He came back around a few times slowly, so we called the police and got a gun out. Eventually we found out he was just looking for a lost dog. It terrifies me though that this guy was parked, and possibly watching me and I had no idea (and wouldn't have ever known if my husband didn't come out to move his truck). Very scary.

I wish we had the :BS FLAG: smiley... Cause thats what it smells like..... His actions as you described doesn't match his "intentions"

Agreed. If you're "looking for a lost dog" you're either driving around or walking around actively, not sitting in front of someone's driveway for a prolonged period of time. However, be careful you're not letting this theft color all of your impressions. It could be that he was just driving slowly down the street and paused to take advantage of your husband's headlights to take a good look at what's doing on the opposite side of the street.

Either way, best of luck with getting everything set up so you're secure and the grandparents are OK. There's some great advice in this thread. Though, I think you might want to re-assess that conversation with the grandparents and not limit it to "who are enemies that would want to do bad things like this". We had a theft from a family member that was an adult son looking for some quick cash and another ID theft that was "that nice nephew of yours that everyone liked so much at the family reunion".

The lost dog thing was true... after we had called the police and he had stopped driving around (we still didnt know what was going on) a huge bulldog came out of our neighbors back yard (the house that he had been parked in front of) and came into our garage. We tried to get the dog away from our house and while we were the guy and his girlfriend came walking up and so we asked if it was theirs. They said yes and we asked if it was them in that car and it was. So we asked a few more questions (which house did they live in, etc),then explained to them why we were so jumpy. We talked to them for a while and they turned out to be pretty nice. It would have been so much less weird if when he had blocked our driveway and stared at my husband if he would have just said that he was looking for his dog. But he was wearing his work uniform and he had the same slightly crazy expression on his face that my husband has when he gets home for his days off (oilfield worker), so we just decided he was tired from work and stressed about his dog. We set our alarm and left the gun loaded anyway when we went to sleep.

Regarding the conversation about enemies, we also discussed if any cousins that were here for a funeral a couple weeks ago had come by, they said no. I asked if they had any solicitors come by and that was a no. They also hit a house a couple miles away so I think it was random. They must have just seen my grandmother pulling out of the driveway and took a chance.

[CaraRN]

In my area there have been several instances of ATM/credit card readers being added to legitimate machines (Lucky grocery store self-check out lanes, gas station pumps etc) to steal card numbers and PINs. So, I have also stopped using my debit card and switched to a credit card that I pay in full every month. Credit cards have fraud protections that debit cards don't, and I don't have to worry about my bank account getting drained.

[smokinbunta]

He came back around a few times slowly, so we called the police and got a gun out. Eventually we found out he was just looking for a lost dog. It terrifies me though that this guy was parked, and possibly watching me and I had no idea (and wouldn't have ever known if my husband didn't come out to move his truck). Very scary.

I wish we had the :BS FLAG: smiley... Cause thats what it smells like..... His actions as you described doesn't match his "intentions"

Agreed. If you're "looking for a lost dog" you're either driving around or walking around actively, not sitting in front of someone's driveway for a prolonged period of time. However, be careful you're not letting this theft color all of your impressions. It could be that he was just driving slowly down the street and paused to take advantage of your husband's headlights to take a good look at what's doing on the opposite side of the street.

Either way, best of luck with getting everything set up so you're secure and the grandparents are OK. There's some great advice in this thread. Though, I think you might want to re-assess that conversation with the grandparents and not limit it to "who are enemies that would want to do bad things like this". We had a theft from a family member that was an adult son looking for some quick cash and another ID theft that was "that nice nephew of yours that everyone liked so much at the family reunion".

The lost dog thing was true... after we had called the police and he had stopped driving around (we still didnt know what was going on) a huge bulldog came out of our neighbors back yard (the house that he had been parked in front of) and came into our garage. We tried to get the dog away from our house and while we were the guy and his girlfriend came walking up and so we asked if it was theirs. They said yes and we asked if it was them in that car and it was. So we asked a few more questions (which house did they live in, etc),then explained to them why we were so jumpy. We talked to them for a while and they turned out to be pretty nice. It would have been so much less weird if when he had blocked our driveway and stared at my husband if he would have just said that he was looking for his dog. But he was wearing his work uniform and he had the same slightly crazy expression on his face that my husband has when he gets home for his days off (oilfield worker), so we just decided he was tired from work and stressed about his dog. We set our alarm and left the gun loaded anyway when we went to sleep.

Regarding the conversation about enemies, we also discussed if any cousins that were here for a funeral a couple weeks ago had come by, they said no. I asked if they had any solicitors come by and that was a no. They also hit a house a couple miles away so I think it was random. They must have just seen my grandmother pulling out of the driveway and took a chance.

Well good thing you got that confirmed.

[JessicaW]

In my area there have been several instances of ATM/credit card readers being added to legitimate machines (Lucky grocery store self-check out lanes, gas station pumps etc) to steal card numbers and PINs. So, I have also stopped using my debit card and switched to a credit card that I pay in full every month. Credit cards have fraud protections that debit cards don't, and I don't have to worry about my bank account getting drained.

I have started wiggling the card reader on the gas pumps and ATM's before I use them. I also googled pictures of what one might look like on an ATM. But I do worry about waiters and waitresses at restraunts now. They can be gone with your card for 5-10 minutes... they could copy down the numbers or have one of those pocket swipers. Like I though, I am planning on leaving the debit card at home from now on and strictly paying with my prepaid credit card or cash. I don't like to use credit cards for anything but emergencys because all of mine have fairly high interest rates and I would hate to get in a situation where I couldn't pay the whole balance at the end of the month.

[CaraRN]

Like I though, I am planning on leaving the debit card at home from now on and strictly paying with my prepaid credit card or cash.

I like the idea of using a pre-paid credit card. It could help limit overspending too. Thanks, for the suggestion!

[duodecima]

Like I though, I am planning on leaving the debit card at home from now on and strictly paying with my prepaid credit card or cash.

I like the idea of using a pre-paid credit card. It could help limit overspending too. Thanks, for the suggestion!

If you need the overspending help, they're great. But (fill me in here) if a "pre-paid" credit card gets stolen and the entire pre-paid limit used up, what are YOU liable for? On my regular card, I'm liable for $50 maximum, and the one time somebody got the number, the bank didn't even charge that, just erased the fraudulent charges and sent us a new card. Which was a hassle, but not as much as having my savings and checking accounts drained and having to argue with the bank to get it back...

And a certain internet payment service that wants my checking account info can keep whistling for it, into the next century, for exactly this reason.

[KnightoftheRoc]

The 'security' stickers from ANY store is going to be a waste of money. If anything, it advertises to potential thieves that you A; have something worth stealing (whether it be true or not), and B; don't have a REAL security system. These guys shop in all the same stores you do- they know what the fake stickers look like, they make it a point to know.

I used to work for Lowe's- I've NEVER heard of a customer coming in and telling anyone how glad they were the stickers they bought scared away a thief. I HAVE heard of the exact opposite- how the stickers failed to deter a thief. Spend the money, get a REAL security system- those company markers are copyrighted, so the fakes can't legally look exactly like them- the thieves know what the real ones look like.

My fiance's cousin's home was recently broken into three times, the third time while she was home. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt, and all they did each time was random BS vandalism- pouring out breakfast cereal on the floor, that sort of stuff. Turned out to be teenagers, skipping school and bored, not hardened thugs, but that was still just plain old lucky for her. And no- no alarm system, either.

[Redeyes]

How would your parents feel about owning a large dog? I have only owned my dog for a year and he has warned off someone trying to go into my backyard, and a few months later he alerted my neighbors to a peeping tom in their backyard.

[JessicaW]

Like I though, I am planning on leaving the debit card at home from now on and strictly paying with my prepaid credit card or cash.

I like the idea of using a pre-paid credit card. It could help limit overspending too. Thanks, for the suggestion!

If you need the overspending help, they're great. But (fill me in here) if a "pre-paid" credit card gets stolen and the entire pre-paid limit used up, what are YOU liable for? On my regular card, I'm liable for $50 maximum, and the one time somebody got the number, the bank didn't even charge that, just erased the fraudulent charges and sent us a new card. Which was a hassle, but not as much as having my savings and checking accounts drained and having to argue with the bank to get it back...

And a certain internet payment service that wants my checking account info can keep whistling for it, into the next century, for exactly this reason.

I ordered the AmEx prepaid card and the customer is not responsible for charges if the card is stolen, and AmEx will reimburse all the fraudulent charges. It has many of the same benefits as their credit cards. I don't plan on using it for anything other than gas, so I shouldn't have more than a couple hundred dollars most of the time.

The 'security' stickers from ANY store is going to be a waste of money. If anything, it advertises to potential thieves that you A; have something worth stealing (whether it be true or not), and B; don't have a REAL security system. These guys shop in all the same stores you do- they know what the fake stickers look like, they make it a point to know.

I used to work for Lowe's- I've NEVER heard of a customer coming in and telling anyone how glad they were the stickers they bought scared away a thief. I HAVE heard of the exact opposite- how the stickers failed to deter a thief. Spend the money, get a REAL security system- those company markers are copyrighted, so the fakes can't legally look exactly like them- the thieves know what the real ones look like.

My fiance's cousin's home was recently broken into three times, the third time while she was home. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt, and all they did each time was random BS vandalism- pouring out breakfast cereal on the floor, that sort of stuff. Turned out to be teenagers, skipping school and bored, not hardened thugs, but that was still just plain old lucky for her. And no- no alarm system, either.

The security company that we use is going to give my grandparents an estimate tomorrow, and when they do they should put up signs for their company around the house. We just were worried that since it was so easy for the thieves the first time, that they might come back a second time, so we also put up no trespassing signs and all that. My grandparents got their guns out so they can protect themselves if the thieves come back.

How would your parents feel about owning a large dog? I have only owned my dog for a year and he has warned off someone trying to go into my backyard, and a few months later he alerted my neighbors to a peeping tom in their backyard.

My grandfather says he wants one (a german shepherd), but my grandmother said NO! They are in their mid 80's and don't want the dog to outlive them and become someone elses responsibility (which I would not mind taking the dog, I love GS dogs). They also don't want it to trip them or jump on them or anything like that.

[Lynn LeFey]

My husband is currently awaiting the replacement for his debit card. He attempted to use it mid-last week, and when it failed, he contacted his bank. They told him they deactivated it after a suspicious charge in Brooklyn NY (we live in St. Louis). Turns out someone had cloned his card and bought a bunch of stuff at a gas station. The bank caught it immediately.

The pre-paid credit card sounds like a pretty good idea.

[TacAir]

Like I though, I am planning on leaving the debit card at home from now on and strictly paying with my prepaid credit card or cash.

I like the idea of using a pre-paid credit card. It could help limit overspending too. Thanks, for the suggestion!

If you need the overspending help, they're great. But (fill me in here) if a "pre-paid" credit card gets stolen and the entire pre-paid limit used up, what are YOU liable for? On my regular card, I'm liable for $50 maximum, and the one time somebody got the number, the bank didn't even charge that, just erased the fraudulent charges and sent us a new card. Which was a hassle, but not as much as having my savings and checking accounts drained and having to argue with the bank to get it back...

And a certain internet payment service that wants my checking account info can keep whistling for it, into the next century, for exactly this reason.

I ordered the AmEx prepaid card and the customer is not responsible for charges if the card is stolen, and AmEx will reimburse all the fraudulent charges. It has many of the same benefits as their credit cards. I don't plan on using it for anything other than gas, so I shouldn't have more than a couple hundred dollars most of the time.

The 'security' stickers from ANY store is going to be a waste of money. If anything, it advertises to potential thieves that you A; have something worth stealing (whether it be true or not), and B; don't have a REAL security system. These guys shop in all the same stores you do- they know what the fake stickers look like, they make it a point to know.

I used to work for Lowe's- I've NEVER heard of a customer coming in and telling anyone how glad they were the stickers they bought scared away a thief. I HAVE heard of the exact opposite- how the stickers failed to deter a thief. Spend the money, get a REAL security system- those company markers are copyrighted, so the fakes can't legally look exactly like them- the thieves know what the real ones look like.

My fiance's cousin's home was recently broken into three times, the third time while she was home. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt, and all they did each time was random BS vandalism- pouring out breakfast cereal on the floor, that sort of stuff. Turned out to be teenagers, skipping school and bored, not hardened thugs, but that was still just plain old lucky for her. And no- no alarm system, either.

The security company that we use is going to give my grandparents an estimate tomorrow, and when they do they should put up signs for their company around the house. We just were worried that since it was so easy for the thieves the first time, that they might come back a second time, so we also put up no trespassing signs and all that. My grandparents got their guns out so they can protect themselves if the thieves come back.

How would your parents feel about owning a large dog? I have only owned my dog for a year and he has warned off someone trying to go into my backyard, and a few months later he alerted my neighbors to a peeping tom in their backyard.

My grandfather says he wants one (a german shepherd), but my grandmother said NO! They are in their mid 80's and don't want the dog to outlive them and become someone elses responsibility (which I would not mind taking the dog, I love GS dogs). They also don't want it to trip them or jump on them or anything like that.

Cattle dog - Blue heeler or the like. My folks are in their mid-80s and have a 65 pound in-house guardian and companion. Dog is smart as a heart attack - does as it is told, stays off furniture and if someone is at the door - will walk up and watch to the door, If the folks are asleep, it will bark, once.

That and auto-on security lights have gone a long way to help them live in a neighborhood slowly headed downhill.

[DJH]

my extremely bad credit score is my protection against ID theft.

True story, I got all the denial of credit letters in the mail last time someone tried. Called the credit agencies anyway, put a warning on, etc.

One of the many things I can truthfully thank my Ex for. lol

Other recommendations. If you have a GPS, do not program your home address into it. Program something nearby, but not your house. Thieves have been known to steal GPS systems and Garage openers out of a car, then they have free reign to come by later and ransack you.

Also, in your cell phone, do not use names like "wife, hubby, mom, dad" etc - one story I heard was of a woman whose phone was stolen along with her purse/wallet, and she called her husband from a payphone to find out he's already responded to her text saying "What is our account PIN again?" and by the time the got to the bank, they had been cleaned out. On top of the name thing I put above, always double check suspicious texts like that, and ones asking you to come meet them somewhere if it doesn't fit with how you know them to behave, etc.

[bcvojak]

We have multiple levels of protection for the bank account.

1) Checking/Savings at bank "A" with debit cart - Paycheck goes to this account - But this just holds working capital

2) Savings only account at bank "B" with NO debit/credit cards attached to it. If I want to deposit money or take money out of bank "B", I have to physically go to the bank.

When too much builds up in the bank "A'" accounts, I write a check and deposit the extra into the bank "B" account.

3) Some cash at home to get us through a weekend or more.