CALVERT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Sheriff Mike Evans　

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – July 6, 2010 – Based on recent citizen reports
regarding phone solicitations from questionable charities, the Calvert County Department of
Community Resources offers the following resources and tips to help avoid charity fraud.
Citizens receiving calls from new or unrecognized charitable groups can verify the
status of an organization by visiting the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State Web site at
www.sos.state.md.us/charity/searchcharity.aspx. The site offers a searchable database listing
charities registered in the state of Maryland. The site also includes a link allowing residents to
view a copy of the organization's IRS Form 990, a description of the organization's charitable
programs and other information about the administration and finances of the organization.

Residents receiving phone solicitations from unfamiliar organizations should ask the following questions:

 Is the charity registered with the Secretary of State?

 What is the full name, address and phone number of the charity?

 Do you work for the charity or are you a paid fundraiser?

 For what purpose will my contribution be used? Verify claims that the charity gives funds or goods to local agencies.

 Is my contribution tax deductible?

 What percentage of its total income does the charity spend on its charitable purpose? Beware of organizations that have large overhead, management or administrative costs.

 Refusal of the organization to send written material or financial information;

 Use of high-pressure tactics to secure a donation;

 Offers to send a courier to collect your contribution;

 Receipt of an invoice or statement indicating payment due for a contribution you never pledged, and/or;

 A name or logo that closely resembles another charity with a similar charitable purpose.

services, visit online at www.co.cal.md.us.

Calvert County is Maryland’s smallest county in land area with 213 square miles. It is home to approximately 90,000 people and has one of the highest standards of living in Maryland. There are more than 5,000 businesses in the County and a labor force of at least 1.8 million resides within a one-hour drive. Major industries include defense contracting, information technology, tourism, utilities, light manufacturing and administrative services

This holiday season, don't let the spirit of giving lull you into giving burglars, muggers, and pickpockets a better chance to do their dirty work. Crooks love the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it's an opportune time for crime. Here are some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season:

  If You Are Out for the Evening         

> Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone's home.
> Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave, even if it's just for  a few minutes.
> Don't display gifts where they can be seen from outside.

  If You Are Traveling

> Get an automatic timer for your lights.
> Ask a neighbor to watch your home, shovel snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.
> Don't forget to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped. If it piles up, it's a sure sign you're gone.

  If You Are Shopping

> Stay alert and be aware of what's going on around you. 
> Park in a well-lighted space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
> Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever
   possible.

Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.

Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.

Protect Your Vehicle

Loading up on all those gifts is a sign of progress in the holiday shopping. But if those packages are left out in the open after they're in the car, your car has become a likely target for thieves. Remember the old cliché "Out of sight, out of mind?" The same idea applies to items in your car.

Always lock your vehicle and store all items out of sight. Breaking into an empty car isn't worth a thief's time. However, anything left in plain view – from your holiday gifts to spare change, sunglasses, CDs, cell phones or briefcases – may tempt a thief.

Help prevent your vehicle from being stolen by always locking your car and using anti-theft devices. And although it's cold, never leave your vehicle running while you run inside your home or a store – even if for only a minute or two.

After you’ve opened the gifts burglars know that many households have new, and often times expensive, items in their homes following the December holidays – especially items such as new computers and peripherals, stereo components, televisions, cameras and other electronic equipment. In too many cases, residents make it easy for burglars to figure out which homes to target by putting boxes that identify their new gifts in plain view with their other garbage. Avoid becoming an easy target for post-holiday burglars by not leaving boxes for new electronics and other items in the alley or other garbage pick-up locations for several days at a time. Instead, break down any boxes you are throwing out, put them in garbage bags and place them inside a trash can. (In many cases, especially with computer equipment, you might consider keeping the boxes for safe storage, shipping or moving in the future.) Think about keeping broken-down boxes inside – in a garage, for example – until the evening before your regular garbage pick-up. Some burglars actually look inside garbage cans for evidence of holiday gifts. And, of course, if you see someone suspicious, call the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office’s non-emergency number (410)535-2800. If you see a burglary in progress, call 9-1-1.　

1/23/10

Below is an excerpt from an article in Reader's Digest this month. 
Please pass this information along to the people in your neighborhood

13 Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You

(1) "Of course I look familiar" - I was here just here last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters or delivering your new refrigerator. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, (2) "I unlatched the back window" to make my return a little easier. (3) "Love those flowers." That tells me you have taste, and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have. Yes I really do look for (4) "newspapers piled up" on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it. (5) "If it snows while your out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house." Virgin snow drifts are a dead give away. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install (6) "the control panel" where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put (7) "motion detectors" up there too. It’s raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this:  (8) "I don't take a day off" because of bad weather. I always knock first. If you answer, (9) "I'll ask for directions" somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.) Do you really think I won't look in (10) "your sock drawer?" I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet. Here's a helpful hint: (11) "I almost never go into kids' rooms." You're right: I won't have enough time to (12) "break into that safe" where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates (13) "the flickering glow" of a real television.

Please know that these are just things to think about to keep your home and your valuables safe. You can order a device called the "FakeTV" for $49.99. This gives the illusion that you have left a TV on which is a big deterrent. The website is www.faketv.com. The Community Action Team will come out and conduct a security survey of your home free of charge. To have a survey conducted you can e-mail your request to catteam@co.cal.md.us

9/3/09

 
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in the community and help make Neeld Estate a wonderful place to live"

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Last Update: 08/23/2010