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01/20/2012 Alert Grandparent Scam Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator, information from resident's child
Neighborhood Watch recently received a report of another victim of the Grandparent Scam.
 
The scam preys on seniors and plays on their emotions and fears to create a sense of urgency and emergency to save their loved ones. The scammer calls and pretends to be one of their grandchildren.   They make leading statements to elicit a name, then adopt the name.  The scammer states he has been jailed in a foreign country as a result of an innocent auto accident and will not be released until the auto damage has been paid.  The scammer cries and is in fear for his life and begs for help.  He has just a short time to explain the situation and tells the grandparent where to Western Union wire transfer the money, usually just under $3,000.  He cries and pleads not to tell his parents.  Then the call is ended.  

The victim was scared and due to the urgency of the situation rushed to the bank, withdrew the money and wire transferred the money as directed.  The scammer called again the next morning to confirm receipt of the money and asked for more money.  This time it was to pay for medical treatments he received in the hospital due to the accident.  This time there was discussion about whether or not this could be a scam and for some reason the emotion of fear overruled the logic and a second transfer was made without alerting family.  It wasn't until the third transfer was requested that the banker told them he thinks it is a scam and told them to tell the scammer to call at the bank.  No further calls were received from this scammer after that. 

   

These Scam artists are very convincing, and in some cases, may have some of your personal family information. 

We suggest that if you are contacted by person(s) who claim to be related "asking for money", ask them questions that will prove or disprove their validity. When in doubt get a call back number, hangup, and contact someone you trust to evaluate the circumstances of the call.  Never, never give out your personal information to strangers.

 

Make a report to the Lincoln Police Dept.
Emergency call 911
Non-emergency 645-4040

Barry Johnson
Neighborhood Watch Police Liaison


12/29/2011 Alert TELEPHONE AREA CODE SCAM Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator, information from Barry Johnson
NW ALERT:
DO NOT CALL AREA CODES 809, 284, 649, 876. Information from AT&T follows.
This long distance phone scam causes consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills. Consumers usually receive a message telling them to call a phone number with an 809, 284, 649, or 876 area code in order to collect a prize, find out information about a sick relative, etc. The caller assumes the number is a typical three-digit U.S. area code; however, the caller is actually connected to a phone number outside the United States, often in Canada or the Caribbean, and charged international call rates. Unfortunately, consumers don't find out that they have been charged higher international call rates until they receive their bill.

AT&T recommends the following tips to help avoid the 809 area code scam :

  • Return calls to familiar numbers only. As a general rule, return calls from numbers that contain familiar or recognizable area codes. You may call your directory assistance or long distance operator to check the area code location.
  • Carefully read your telephone bill. Make sure that you only receive charges from your provider of choice. Ensure you thoroughly understand charges listed on your phone bill, have chosen to do business with all of the listed providers billing for those charges and have authorized additional fees invoiced. If your local service provider has changed, you will receive a final bill from the former provider and a notice of service disconnection.

If you believe that you have been scammed:

  • Contact the carrier with whom the charge originated, whose name and toll-free telephone number should be printed on the same bill page as the charge in question. Often, the problem can be resolved with a single phone call.
  • If the carrier with whom the charge originated does not agree to resolve the problem, contact AT&T. AT&T will work with you and the carrier to help remove fraudulent charges from the phone bill.

Additional information:


12/29/2011 For Your Information copper thieves follow up Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator, information from Chris O'Keef, Maintenance Dept
We issued an FYI Alert November 19th that copper thieves were in our neighborhood stealing wiring from the street lights. Several people asked what the legitimate service trucks look like. The companies are Sylvania and Century Lighting. Their trucks are marked with the company name. Unless there is a rare emergency, they only work during the daytime.
12/29/2011 Alert Another Arrest Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator, information from Barry Johnson
This information was emailed 11/27/11 but either it was posted here and disappeared or I never posted it. Please accept my apologies.

Barry Johnson, our Liaison to the Lincoln Police Dept, has reported a total of  4 people arrested.   Three (3) of these are definitely responsible for the Lincoln Hills burglaries. The last arrest was made by the Rocklin Police Dept.  

Anyone who has been a recent  victim  of a residential burglary in which identifiable items of jewelry were stolen is asked to call Sgt. Forrest Richardson at the Rocklin Police Department, (916) 625-5437 or (916) 625-5400. Refer to  case No. 11-325-13.


This is a relief but we can't relax, especially now that it is the holiday season and many people are away on vacation.   Please watch out for your neighbors and let your mailbox captain know if you will be out of town.

WE ALL MUST STAY ALERT AND REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS PERSONS, VEHICLES OR ACTIVITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.   

For emergencies call 911 and
for nonemergency situations call 645-4040.

Neighborhood Watch is neighbors watching out for neighbors.

12/08/2011 Alert Fraudulent Credit Card charges Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator
Residents in V16 recently reported that their Wells Fargo credit card had fraudulent charges on it. They were able to get the charge reversed by the vendor.  According to Wells Fargo, a possible source of the activity was their ATM card which is linked to their credit card. They have also used PayPal online. The Wells Fargo Fraud department advised them to get a new ATM to be used only for online activity and have a low balance with a maximum amount to be charged per day. They have received several similar complaints and indicated that thieves often charge a small amount to test whether the card is active and then make a major purchase.

 It is a good idea to go online frequently and check your credit card activity for incorrect charges, especially during the Holiday Season.



12/08/2011 Alert 2 Incidents at Orchard Creeek Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator

SCLHCA E-Bulletin

 

To All Residents:

Last evening we had two unfortunate incidents at Orchard Creek Lodge.  There was an attempted purse snatching and vehicle break in.  Luckily the purse was returned and nothing was taken from the vehicle.  Thanks to residents and staff that assisted.  Reports indicate that the Lincoln Police and our security responded promptly.

Staff wants to remind all of our residents to be prudent with their belongings when you are out and about, especially this time of year.  After the incidents last night, an informal survey of the parking lot revealed a number of purses and other personal items of value clearly visible in cars.  We encourage you to do your best to conceal any important items in your car that you cannot take with you.  The Association is making adjustments to its patrol schedule for the balance of the holiday season; however, it is important that everyone use appropriate care and diligence.

  

 

 Sun City Lincoln Hills Community Association  Orchard Creek Lane, Lincoln, CA 95648, USA 


12/07/2011 Alert Village 31C Mail Station Breakin Pauline Watson, Backup for Mary Cranston, Alerts Coordinator

MAIL STATION BREAKIN ON CORNER OF PRAIRIE VIEW COURT AND COLDWATER LANE (Coldwater Lane is off of Spring Valley Parkway opposite Parkside Drive)


The outgoing mail slot from Mail Station #5 located on the corner of Coldwater Lane and Prairie View Court was broken into sometime between Friday, December 3 and Monday, December 5 . This section holds the lock that the carrier uses to open the mailboxes for delivery as well as the outgoing mail container. The mail station has been repaired.


As a precaution, do not put outgoing mail in ANY mail station overnight, especially on a weekend.

12/04/2011 Alert Another car break-in Mary Cranston, Alerts Program Coordinator, info from Carole Leone
NW Alert -- another car break-in
Pickle Ball Courts 4.00 pm

The victim had left her purse on the floor in the back seat, covered with a towel.  The loss was complete -- purse, credit cards, checkbook, money.

If you have to leave valuables in the car, put them in the trunk before you leave home (or your last stop) so that no one sees you put them in the trunk. In the mall parking lots people sometimes watch for shoppers to put packages in the car & return for more shopping.


12/04/2011 Alert Email Scam to download virus Mary Cranston, Alerts Program Coordinator, info from Elaine Small
HOLIDAY SEASON REMINDER RE EMAIL SCAMS THAT DOWNLOAD A VIRUS TO STEAL PERSONAL INFORMATION

These come in several forms, claiming you have a package sent by USPS, UPS, FEDEX, DHL. You are instructed to open the link, print it out & take it to vendor. When you click the link, the virus is downloaded. Please see the link below for the alert from the USPS.

https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/radDocs/consumer/SpamAlert.pdf



11/20/2011 For Your Information General Info re insurance coverage on auto break-ins Mary Cranston, Alerts Program Coordinator

GENERAL information re: auto break-ins

If a crook steals something – such as a computer or a cellphone – from your car, your  car insurance  does not cover the  theft   . Rather, personal belongings taken from your car are covered by your 

  homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.  

   

Damage     done to a car during a break-in falls under 

optional “comprehensive” 

  coverage that can be added to your  car insurance   policy.

Both homeowner’s  and auto insurance are subject to the  deductible   you selected when you purchased the policy.


So be careful when parking your car whether at home or while shopping. 


  • • Close your windows and lock your doors when your car is parked.
  • • Do not leave valuables in plain view in your car; lock them in your trunk.
  • • Park your car where it will be frequently and easily seen.
  • • When possible, park in well-lit areas.
  • In other words, make your vehicle less attractive to the burglar looking for an opportunity.

11/19/2011 For Your Information Copper Thieves Mary Cranston, Alerts Program Coordinator, information from Elaine Small & Chris O'Keef
Copper Thieves

NW Board of Director Elaine Small alerted Chris O’Keef, our Director of Facilities and Maintenance, that a street light on Sun Valley Loop was out. Mr. O’Keef explained that copper thieves are roaming the area  stealing copper wiring for the street lights by removing the easily accessed service panel.  There are 2,015 street lights in Lincoln Hills.


11/19/2011 Alert Auto Burglaries Mary Cranston, Alerts Program Coordinator, information from Barry Johnson, LPD Liaison
4 auto burglaries in November near the Rossi Lane entrance from 12 Bridges

There have been four auto burglaries reported this month (November).  One, previously reported  11/08/11 , on the  2600 block of Eagles Peak , and three additional reports as follows:  1600 block of Avian Hill Pl. between 11/02/11 and 11/07/11, 2200 block of Sutter View Ln.  between  11/11/11  and 11/12/11 and   2800 block of Coopers Hawk Loop  on the same evening. In each of these cases the vehicles were parked in the driveways of the residences. 

 

These are thefts of opportunity!!  We can limit these opportunities by parking our cars in the garage, and always locking the vehicle when parked outside.  Also, never leave anything of value visible in the vehicle. These suggestions also apply when you are shopping, especially during the holiday season. 

 

Barry Johnson (Neighborhood Watch Police Liaison)   


11/11/2011 For Your Information REMINDER - KEEP CELL PHONES CHARGED FOR EMERGENCY USE Mary Cranston, Alerts Program Coordinator, information from Joanne Moore, resident on Blue Heron Loop
RECENT PHONE OUTAGE BRINGS UP A REMINDER THAT LANDLINES CAN FAIL TOO - NOT JUST CELL PHONES

Phone service was out recently on Blue Heron Loop (V24A) from 4PM to 2.30AM.  Many of us have medical conditions that can easily turn into an emergency situation, often during the night.

We need to keep our cell phones charged so that they are available to call for emergency help when the landlines are out of service.  
11/08/2011 Alert Auto Burglary V35A, 2600 block of Eagles Peak Lane Nov 8, 2011 Mary Cranston, Alerts Program Coordinator, information from Barry Johnson, LPD Liaison
Auto burglary V35A, 2600 block of Eagles Peak Lane 
Between Longspur Loop and Rossi Lane entrance 

There was an auto burglary in the 2600 block of Eagles Peak Lane during the early morning hours on Tuesday, 11/08/11, between 12midnight and 8:00AM.   The vehicle was parked in the driveway. The  entry was gained by breaking out the passenger side rear window.  Loss was money (coin), GPS, phone charger, CDs, and owner's manual.  None of these items were in plain view in the vehicle.   There are no known suspects at this time.
A police report was made (online).  If anyone has any information contact the Lincoln Police at 645-4040.
 
Barry Johnson
Neighborhood Watch Police Liaison