Watch for Door-to-Door Scammers in Leawood, Kansas

Leawood, Kansas residents are currently being approached by young, enthusiastic door-to-door sales people who are representing alarm companies to buy home security systems. They will persuade and mislead homeowners into upgrading their systems for free if they sign a long-term monitoring contract.

In many cases homeowners are led to believe that the representative is from their existing alarm provider.

Atronic Alarms is NOT affiliated with these companies, and we do not send out unscheduled sales or service representatives to your home.

If someone approaches you, do not give out your personal or alarm information, including call lists or verification codes, and do not sign anything without verifying the validity or credentials of the representative and the alarm company.

In addition, don't be fooled by a business phone number and a good web site. Security companies with ethical business practices will never pressure you into signing paperwork, and they are usually members of local and national alarm associations, the Better Business Bureau and their area chamber of commerce. If in doubt, contact the alarm coordinator in your city's ordinance police department.

Sources:
City of Leawood Alarm Coordinator
Electronic Security Association
Texas Burglar and Fire Alarm Association - Press Release "Unlicensed Alarm Companies Pushing Illegal Door-To-Door Sales Across Texas"

Retail Theft Up $4 Billion from 2009

A study published from the latest National Retail Security Survey (NRSS) reveals that retailers lost more than $37 billion to theft in 2010.

The survey's preliminary results shows that this is a $4 billion increase compared to the year before. Retail theft includes employee theft, human administration error, vendor fraud and shoplifting.

Along that same note and closer to the Kansas City area, The Lawrence Journal World ran a story recently about business owners and the frustration they are experiencing with increased burglaries. The Lawrence Police Department is "encouraging people to lock doors at home, in the office or their vehicles to try to prevent burglaries. Police also encourage businesses to install security cameras."

Commercial security is available through many applications, including high definition IP cameras, Access Control and Intrusion.

Source: Lawrence Journal World and Security Sales & Integration Magazine.

More Knowledge; Better Rape Prevention

In the past several days there have been 2 reported rapes and one reported sexual assault in the Kansas City metro area.

Two rapes have been reported in the Rosedale area next to the University of Kansas Hospital. The Kansas City Kansas police notified the news to call out to the metro area in hopes of tips to identify the rapist. They also want to remind people that KU Police Escorts are available by calling 588-5030.

In another area of town, called the Trolley Trail near East 85th and Main Street, a woman in her 50s reported being sexually assaulted at 5:50 a.m. Not much yet is known on that case.

If anyone knows anything about these three cases, contact the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Everyone is a potential victim for sexual assault, no matter your age, your race or social status. The main way to protect yourself and your family is to always be aware of your surroundings. Don't live in fear . . . live with knowledge.

The following is a list of other preventative measures:

1. If you walk or jog carry mace, pepper spray, your keys held between your fingers or a whistle. The mace can also be excellent protection against a dog attack, as well.
2. Try to walk or jog in populated areas.
3. At home, whether you are single or have a family, remember to always lock your doors.
4. When you are walking to and from your car to your work, the grocery store, the mall or anywhere else, walk with a purpose. Hold your head up and look people in the eye. Walk quickly and be aware of your surroundings.
5. Look under your car before you unlock the car door. It is possible for a body to hide under the car and cut your ankles.
6. Take a self-defense class. Not only is it a good exercise program but it will help you react quickly in case of an attack and show you key spots on a person as you take them off guard, perhaps make them lose their balance, and then you can run. Eyes. Nose. Throat. Groin. Knees. Feet.
7. Don't open your door to a stranger. Keep your safety chain on and stay on the phone with someone as you answer the door.
8. Keep your home well lit. Attackers hide in the shadows.
9. If you find someone is following you, drive to the nearest police station. If someone appears to need help loading something in a vehicle, let them know you will get them help. Walk back into the store and contact a security guard.
10. And please, if you own a security system . . . USE IT.

Sources and other Rape Prevention sites:

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/16/2953975/police-investigating-report-of.html

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/crime/kansas-city,-kansas-police-department-asks-for-help-in-identifying-rape-suspect

http://www.kevincoffee.com/women_safety/rape_prevention_tips.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Protecting-Yourself-Against-Rape&id=244770

Fraud Protection

As the blogger at Atronic Alarms I research many facts and figures about safety protocol and procedures. Normally this research is conducted through conversations with local authorities, alarm companies or going online for extensive Internet searching.

This post, however, is coming from first hand, personal experience.

Bank fraud. It happened. Over the weekend there were four transactions to my personal account totaling $600.00.

I had first caught it on Sunday and on Monday I called the bank. I was relieved to hear that I was covered by Fraud Protection, a service they offer that "watches" accounts and flags anything out of the ordinary. They had me scheduled to be called that day because they had noticed many unusual transactions. After filling out some paperwork, canceling and reinstating the debit card, no money was lost.

"The company we use has lists of "fraudulent" organizations and will notice them immediately if one appears as a withdrawal. They will contact you to verify you did not authorize the transaction."
First Option Bank, Louisburg, KS

Talking with the bank, as well as extensively with the company, Fraud Prevention Services in North Dakota, it was clear that this kind of thing happens ALL OF THE TIME. In order to protect yourself from bank fraud, follow these simple rules:

1. Check with your bank to understand their procedures of fraud protection. Make sure your bank offers this service on debit card transactions.

2. Update your contact information with the bank. When fraud is detected, the company will contact you to verify the wrong-doing so it can be stopped from going through your account.

3. Check over your bank transactions at least once a week. Many banks offer the online service so you can log into your account easily and see all withdrawals. I noticed the post description, didn't recognize it, Googled the company name and found it to be a company in France.

4. Don't hand over your credit/debit card to waiters or other cashiers who leave and return. During this time they can write down the information, including your pin numbers on the back. Eat out a lot? Pay with cash.

5. Don't ever respond to emails or phone calls from what appears to be your bank asking for you to "update" personal information like bank account number, social security or maiden names. Banks do not update their information through this way.

In the end it was a fantastic learning opportunity. My bank has a safety net. Does yours?

Links to more resources:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Is-It-Safe-to-Bank-usnews-4209634978.html?x=0

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/menus/consumer/data/idt.shtm

Local Non-Profit Uses Security Systems in their Fight Against Domestic Violence

LENEXA, KAN, June 9, 2011 - Victims of Domestic Violence in the Kansas City metro area have the option of receiving the services of the Domestic Violence Protection Services Agency (DVPSA), a non-profit organization that offers additional protection services to these victims and their families.

With services that range from physical protection to education and increasing awareness and more recently, home security systems, the DVPSA works with local shelters across the metro to continually provide assistance to those who want to transition to a life free of abuse.

Wade Thomas, the founder of the agency who has a background in protective services, said that he started the program back in 2009 because he saw clear gaps in the domestic violence system. He felt he could help people who had separated from their abusers but whose lives were still in danger.

“Many people receive help in leaving an abusive relationship but then discover that their abusers continue to be a threat. Our primary initiative assigns off-duty police officers to victims in order to provide a physical body of protection for people who are being threatened after separating from their abusers,” Thomas said.

When he designed the business plan back in 2008, Thomas knew that in working with donations and fund-raising events the organization’s ability to provide 24-hour protection would be limited depending on the amount of support they received from the community. Additionally, he realized that unless other layers of security were added they couldn’t properly protect victims around the clock at an affordable rate. In May, he approached Atronic Alarms, Inc., a locally owned and operated security company in Lenexa, Kansas, and talked with them about additional services.

“When Wade asked for our help we didn’t even hesitate,” said Todd Harrison, operations manager of Atronic Alarms, Inc. “The vision of this organization is exceptional and we can assist them by providing the consulting, design and installation of quality security systems for these victims.”

According to Harrison, with special protocol setup a monitored security system can dispatch the police immediately if there is an alarm.

Atronic Alarms recently finished a security installation in a metro-area home where the women’s abuser had threatened her life and the lives of her family. Unfortunately, as in most cases, the restraining order she had set up will not guarantee their safety.

“Can you imagine living your life in a constant state of fear, not ever knowing when your abuser is going to show up at your house . . . your work? That is what these women live with on a daily basis and it is far more prevalent than the general population is aware of,” Thomas said. “With Atronic’s help we are now able to offer a monitored security system to these victims and their families who might not otherwise be able to afford it.”

DVPSA receives it’s funding through donations and their annual 5K run/walk held in August in downtown Kansas City, The Rivalry Run: Kansas vs. Missouri.

“The Rivalry Run is our biggest fundraiser,” Thomas said. “It is a fun way to raise awareness and help prevent domestic violence. We are thankful for our many sponsors and participants who support this event. We hope to see you August 20th.”

Summer Protocol: Update Your "Call List" to Eliminate False Alarm Dispatches

If you have children who are returning home from college, a new service person or builder starting work, or are planning a summer vacation it is critical that you contact Atronic Alarms and update your information at the central monitoring station.

There are two types of people who should be included in your call list: Users and Notifiers.

Your call list is the reference sheet we use to contact you or verify a user's password and access level. If your information is not current false dispatches may occur.

A user is a person who will be entering your property and arming/disarming your security system, like a maid, a cleaning service, pet sitter a relative or your college student home for the summer. This person should have both a keypad code and a password. If an alarm is accidently set off and if the user cannot provide the correct password to the central monitoring station, the police will be dispatched and false alarm fees will incur.

A notifier, on the other hand, is a person who the central monitoring station will contact in case of an alarm or emergency who can make decisions. This person is normally the owner of the property. Notifier information must be updated if phone numbers change or when vacations or long trips are taken so we know your itinerary and how to reach you, or someone else, if there is a problem.

For example, we received a water device alert from a residence when the family was out of town. Because we knew who to contact we could quickly assess the situation and assist in solving the problem before much water damage occurred.