Full Notification

The Fox Chapel Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

Although the holidays are a festive time to spend with family and friends, it is also a time of year that police see an increase in criminal activity including thefts from vehicles, burglaries and scams. Here are some tips to better protect you and your property:

Home

• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.

Vehicle

Thieves target vehicles parked outside so if at all possible please park your vehicles inside. If it is necessary to park outside please park in a well lite area, lock your vehicles and don’t leave valuables in plain view.

Scams

Most scams have evolved into the cyber world, using spam emails or fake websites to steal everything from credit card information to complete identities. However there are still plenty of old-school scammers that use telephones, both landline and mobile. Some of the top scams include:

• Donation/Charity Scams – A caller claiming to represent a law enforcement agency is the most common. But phony cancer and firefighter charities are right up there.
• Tip: Never donate to any charity that calls on the phone. Instead, choose a well-known national charity or support a good cause in your local community.

• Gift Card Scams – Victims are told they've won a free gift card, but have to pay a small fee of some type in order to receive it. Scammers also offer to sell victims a gift card, with the promise they will get two additional gift cards free. Of course, they don't receive any gift cards.

• Tip: You can go to almost any supermarket or discount store and select from a wide range of gift cards. Why would you buy one from some guy who calls you up? Remember, no legitimate business is going to offer a couple of free gift cards, just because you bought one. That's a quick way to go out of business.

• Holiday Cruise Scams – Who wouldn't like to hear they've won a free cruise? The problem is, it's not true. Victims who accept the winter giveaway will be told they have to pay an upfront “port fee.”
• Tip: Something that is offered free, but requires an upfront payment of some sort, is nearly always a scam.

• Emergency Scams – Be cautious if you receive a call from a family member or friend claiming to be in accident, arrested or hospitalized. Also scammers will pretend to be an official person, such a police officer and pressure you to provide money or gift card numbers in exchange to help your friend or relative.
• Tip: Never send money or provide gift card numbers unless you confirm with another family member that your loved one needs help. If you’re unable to contact a family member call your local police department for assistance.
• Tip: Scammers will insist that you don’t tell anyone about the phone call
Please feel free to contact the Fox Chapel Borough Police Department if you have any questions or concerns.