The latest in local crimes

My friend in the local police dept told me the latest one here is sitting in a car and watching you leave, calling on a cell phone and checking to see if anyone is home, driving up and robbing the place while their buddy watches from a distance and calls if anyone returns. They like to use vans with the magnetic signs that say heating service etc.. Reached the point that here in rural NH we are very paranoid about any vehicles on our roads and if you stop to make a phone call, illegal to drive and use a phone here, we will call the cops. That is now, not after TSHTF.

 

We always watch our neighborhood. We have all neighbors in a phone list, and work together, to keep an eye on each other's properties.

 

Two very good posts. Anything not routine in your ordinary day can be a setup, the start of a scam or some other bad situation. Always beware the unusual.

Today I went to a restaurant where I breakfast frequently, and overheard a bitter argument at the counter between the manager and a cook she had just fired (for cause: he apparently wouldn't do his job).

I watched him like a hawk until he left, loudly promising to come back later and clock in as usual.

After that, I watched the door like a hawk, in case he decided to arm up and clock in early.

Would I have gotten involved? I was already involved. Just by being at his possible ground zero. So I changed position in the booth to be able to get out fast, and to more readily access defensive opportunities.

Nothing bad happened. Breakfast was great, and I'm still living happily everafter.

 

Wow! Thanks @RightHand for sharing that. I would never have thought someone would do that, as it seems alot of work.

I had a friend text me on how to avoid having you pin stolen. Apparently when you enter your pin in a store or bank you leave infrared finger prints for up to 20 minutes so a guy with a infra red camera app on his phone can just take a picture right behind you and get your pin. 80% success rate in getting 4 and 5 digit pins.

SOLUTION
when entering your pin, rest your other fingers on several other numbers.

 

Another pick up technique is graphite dust on the buttons. If your fingers come away with gray fingertips, wipe down the entire face plate. (The buttons you pushed will be cleaner than the rest.)

 

Big problem with cell phones is the lack of a phone book. While that makes your number "unlisted", if you wish someone to contact you, Craig's list, add in paper, etc, you not only give your number, but with that and your name, and the computer, they can find out who you are, how old you are, if you have anything worth stealing, how much your house is worth etc and if you apply for credit, a mortgage, a different job, insurance, etc they have a very good dossier on you. My mother in law had diabetes, and although she has been dead for several years, we are still getting adds to our mailbox and phone calls for services used by diabetic. Can't prove anything, but I think the drug companies sell the lists. My personal bias is that OPSEC is as important now as it will be after SHTF and that the most important is local. I fear my drug abusing neighbor many times more than any golden hoard in the future. If he knew about them, he would steal my firearms and trade them for drugs and no matter what he may say or think, he would do it in a heartbeat if he needed drugs.

My big problem with security is at 78, I often can't even comprehend all the scams that are out there. Lost everything on my last computer to someone in Poland who encripted the data and said he would sell me the key needed to use it. I wouldn't pay, but no one I talked to could help recall it or had any interest in punishing the thief.

 

Where are your keys? I still use the keyring that snaps on your belt loop. When I pull them from the ignition, onto my belt loop they go. This accomplishes a couple things. I snap it on as I pull them from the ignition, hence I don't lock them in my vehicle. Secondly, I always know where they are. Make it a habit and pretty soon it becomes second nature.

 

@TailorMadeHell that is one strategy. And its great except for the one time you aren't automatic or get distracted or until you get pickpocketed. I can lift keys off of any one's belt.

 

I'll not say it couldn't happen, however anyone around me is under massive scrutiny at all times. I don't play the distracted part. I avoid crowds where that is easy. I maintain a personal bubble for my comfort and safety. Then my mind is always hyper vigilant, even in my sleep. The same things that distract most people don't even phase me. I'll give a 2% chance it could happen and that's being generous. The part about not being automatic is not going to happen. I suffer, or am blessed, by OCD. Even when I lock a door, I will lock it, check it, unlock it, relock it and check it again. To the tune of three. By the time I got out of my jeep, I've checked my belt three times to check the keys are there. Set time on a clock? Yep. Three times. Turn off a light, and you guessed it. The average person I can see this happening to, though I'm not average.

 

This is a great thread.
I'm always open for a little bit of tradecraft. My motto is that it's always better to be sly than die.

@Ganado
Ah, Hah! Are you the one they were calling Lightfinger Lucille in the Hamptons back in 93/94?
I was really quite jealous...

(It's the wink, right?)

 

I have spare keys in my wallet, so I never get locked out. Or stolen.

 

Keys, got to many. I have to shake myself down before I leave home and make sure I have the right keys for the vehicle I'm driving.

I always put my keys in the left hand pocket if summer and the right hand coat pocket if winter.

 

Routine is good, unless someone is laying in wait for you. Avoid being too predictable.

 

If your car has a keyless remote:
Hackers are blamed for a third of car thefts

Thieves using a $17 device to break into cars with keyless systems