Don’t Become Lax for Criminals Come from Many Directions

By Jessica Walker

The main reason why I accepted the position as columnist for the Safer Dates Blog was to help showcase why Safer Dates exists and to be a reliable resource that empowers the online community to defend against becoming a victim of crime.  Becoming cognizant of various safety tools is more important now than ever before due to the recent recession boasting an increase in various types of theft on and off-line.  Which is why I choose to interview Tad Camp (Safer Dates professional Online Safety & Security Expert) for my second article, “Don’t Become Lax for Criminals Come from Many Directions”.  Scroll down to read it now.

Tad has an extensive background as a highly trained former Law Enforcement Officer and Detective.  Before relocating to Florida, Tad previously served as Acting Chief of Police in Ohio.  While serving the citizens of Pinellas County Florida, he was elected to the American Police Hall of Fame.

Tad entered the private sector in 2005, after an on-duty injury caused him to no longer physically perform his duties.  Instead of retiring, this juggernaut started Tad Camp Investigations, Inc. which has provided services for celebrities, foreign dignitaries, worldwide religious organizations, and various corporations.  His wealth of knowledge in security investigations earned him the reputation as one of the best known and respected individuals in his field.

Tad has also channeled this expertise into an entrepreneurial endeavor by inventing the True Tracker Pro GPS personal security device.  The device has an SOS button that sends alerts via email or phone to three friends or family members.  The alerts are continuously transmitted every 15 seconds to ten minutes (depending on the service plan) and tells them your exact location.  To learn more about the True Tracker please visit  www.truetrackerpro.com.

Also, don’t miss the second Safer Dates safety video.Watch as I reenact a real life scenario submitted by a member that was recently a victim of a potential home intruder.  With advice from Tad Camp, I’ll walk you through the steps that you can take to help secure your home.

Until next month, here’s to keeping you Safer in the City!

- Jessica

Next month get dating advice from my interview with Yvonne Rice, a former Dating Agency Director, online dating expert and Author of Love Sex Lies and the Internet Mouse “Trap”.

Jessica: Tell us about your background; what did you do before you went into business for yourself?
Tad: I was a Law Enforcement Officer/Detective. I worked in patrol. I served as a supervisor. I was a Field Training Officer. I worked undercover in Vice and served as Acting Chief of Police for a department in Ohio.

Jessica: What kind of overt and covert investigations did you experience during your years as an Officer/Detective?
Tad: Undercover (covert operations) I worked Vice Crimes. Gambling, prostitution, etc.
Overt, I investigated everything from traffic accidents to death investigations.

Jessica: Have you ever worked a high profile case that would have been in the national news?
Tad: Yes. Strangely enough, out of all the cases that I’ve worked, many that I felt warranted national attention, the one case that actually received national attention was an animal cruelty case. I was stunned to find out that this case made national news. The department I was working for received calls from major media outlets across the country.

Jessica: What made you want to get into law enforcement?
Tad: I don’t know that I really had a choice. It was something that I knew I was meant to do from the time I was a toddler. At three years old I rode around on my toy motorcycle with my badge pinned to my chest, plastic gun and handcuffs and arrested my relatives. I never imagined myself doing anything else.

Now that our readers have a better understanding of your credentials, let’s discuss how our members can safely utilize SaferDates.com.

Jessica: What information should NOT be posted on a Safer Dates member profile?
Tad: There is a ton of information that should not be posted on someone’s personal profile. You never want to give up information that could be used to steal your identity. Never list your home address or your children’s names.

Jessica: Other then requesting that someone become Level I or II Verified or screening a potential date through our InvestiDATE tool, what else should our members do to better protect themselves?
Tad: Members should arrange to meet other members in a public place and not divulge too much personal information until they get to know one another. I would not recommend letting someone meet you at your home for the first time. And when going on their first date it may be a good idea to drive separately and not go to any place unfamiliar or out of the way. Always let friends or family know where you are going to be, who you are with and what time you expect to return. Always keep an eye on your drink to ensure nothing is slipped into it. If you feel uncomfortable around the person you are with, leave. Your first instinct is normally the correct one.

Let’s switch gears and talk about Online-Security and how our readers can protect themselves against identity theft.

Jessica: Where do identity thieves strike the most?
Tad: The internet provides identity thieves with a wealth of information. For example, if you do a random search on MySpace, let’s say for a female living in a certain geographical area, within a certain age and income bracket, you will get multiple pages in return. I’ll bet before you go through three or four profiles you’ll find someone who lists enough personal information to steal their identity. You’ll find pictures of their children along with their names and ages, pictures of their house showing their address, pictures of their cars showing license plates, pictures of the family dog, employment information, you name it.

Jessica: What is the safest way to make a purchase on-line?
Tad: Purchasing anything online can be risky. When I purchase online I make sure I am doing business with an American company. I use only PayPal and I normally contact the company by telephone before placing an order.

Jessica: What advice can you offer to those readers that have profiles on MySpace, Face Book, LinkedIn, et cetera?
Tad: I would suggest they take a long look at their profiles and look at it as if you were a criminal looking to steal an identity, burglarize a home, abduct a child, etc. And always keep your profile set to private.

Jessica: What are your thoughts on spyware and could you recommend one?
Tad: Spyware has its place. If it’s used as a tool for parents of young children to ensure they are not visiting sites that could be dangerous to them or having inappropriate conversations with other people online. It’s sometimes used to catch a cheating spouse. However, it’s also used for companies to spy on their employees. It can be used to steal other’s identities and many other criminal activities. I would not recommend a spyware product or anyone that could be downloaded onto someone else’s computer. Instead I would recommend a piece of hardware called a keylogger. This can be used on a single computer at a time and should only be installed on a computer that you own.

Jessica: What are your thoughts on paying bills on-line?
Tad: Online, if it is a secure site and is handled through your bank then I don’t see a problem with it.

Jessica: What are five things that a reader can do right after reading this article that will make them less of a target for identity theft?
Tad:
1. Update their profile information on the sites we previously mentioned.
2. Purchase and install spyware detection software on their personal computers.
3. Shred all personal information before placing it into the garbage.
4. Practice safe online purchasing techniques.
5. Be aware on conversations with persons online who are asking questions of a personal nature or attempting to solicit information that could allow the theft of an identity.

Due to the recession, burglaries seem to be on the rise. Let’s discuss how our readers can better secure their homes from intruders.

Jessica: What are some easy, inexpensive recommendations for keeping your home safe from an intruder?
Tad: A lot of decent security systems and equipment can be purchased from reputable companies online at a discount. Some simple security gadgets can be purchased from places like Radio Shack. I always recommend that you use something with an audible alarm. Preferably something that would cause your neighbors to look outside. You can do simple things with your landscaping around your home, such as placing large thorny plants beneath your windows. Upgrade the locks on your doors and always keep them locked even when you are home. Remove any plants that obstruct vision around the entrance to your home. Install motion activated lights on the exterior of your home. If you are leaving your home for vacation, have the post office hold your mail and request your newspaper service be stopped until you return. Contact your local law enforcement agency and request they perform a vacation check while you are away.

Jessica: What are your thoughts on residential security systems and can you recommend a particular company?
Tad: I can’t recommend a particular company. The biggest problem I’ve seen with large residential security companies is the slower response time by law enforcement. The companies, before reporting your alarm to law enforcement, typically attempt to contact the home owner before contacting law enforcement. This wastes valuable time if your home is being burglarized. Also, because of the frequency of false alarms due to weather conditions, etc., law enforcement agencies tend not to treat a residential alarm as an emergency.

Jessica: What time of day do home invasions typically occur?
Tad: First you need to understand that a home invasion is different than a burglary. A home invasion is more violent. It normally consists of two or more persons forcing entry into your home while you are present. Persons within the home are typically abused physically and restrained in some manner. Often times the persons invading the home will attempt to extract some sort of information from the victim such as safe combinations, location of goods or money, etc. The victims are often battered and in some cases killed.
A burglary on the other hand, is a simple theft occurring in an occupied structure. It is typically not violent. A burglar generally is not seen by the victim and most often the victim is not home when it occurs.
So in answer to the question, home invasions can occur at any time, night or day, and burglaries generally occur between the hours of 10:00pm and 3:00am. However, there are a significant number of daytime burglaries. I think we will see both burglaries and home invasions increase in the future.

Jessica: What makes a house an ideal target for an intruder and what does an intruder search for in a home?
Tad: An easy target house is one that offers the criminal easy access. This can include open windows, unsecured doors, concealment from neighboring homes or the street, little or no exterior lighting, lack of security systems, etc. I’d say at the top of the list of items searched for or stolen, outside of the standard money and jewelry, include firearms, medications, and electronics.

Jessica: What types of weapons do you recommend our readers have in their homes?
Tad: There is a variety of less than lethal weapons available to the general public. This includes stun guns, pepper spray and the like. Some states prohibit carrying these items on your person while away from home or in a concealed manner. I would recommend you check with your local and state laws.

Jessica: What types of weapons do you recommend for a vehicle?
Tad: I like pepper spray as a defensive item. However, I would not recommend deploying it inside your vehicle. Stun guns are always nice but I highly recommend you be trained in the use of such an item. If you live in a state that allows concealed carry of firearms. I recommend you take a firearms safety class, become proficient with your weapon, get the permit and carry it with you. Again, make sure you follow all local and state laws.

Jessica: What one thing do you hope readers walk away with after reading this article?
Tad: I would hope that your readers stay aware of the many directions that criminals can come from. People tend to become lax and think, “That could never happen to me” or “that kind of thing doesn’t happen in my town or my neighborhood.” The truth is, it can happen, it does happen and if you’re not careful, you can become a victim.