CONDO ARCHIVES

Crime Prevention Tips from Toronto Police

December 2014

Theft is a crime of opportunity you can help control.

When on Vacation …

  • Don’t advertise that your home is empty.
  • Checking in on social media while on vacation is an invitation to thieves.
  • Facebook postings such as “Having a great time in Florida!” are an invitation to burglars.
  • Don’t allow mail or newspapers to accumulate in a mailbox or doorway.

When at Home …

  • Turn off geotagging on electronic devices so thieves can’t see where you are or what you purchased.
  • Turn on security settings for electronic devices. Set privacy settings on social media at a high level to ensure only close friends and family can see personal updates.

Protect your Vehicle …

  • Always roll up your vehicle’s windows and lock the doors Store the key in a secure area.
  • Don’t leave valuables in plain sight.

When Buying or Selling on Kajiji & CraigsList …

  • When selling items, do not invite individuals to your home. Use a condo lobby, meeting room or other area with internal cameras.

Prevent Identity Theft …

  • Don’t reveal personal identifying information before knowing how it will be used and if it will be shared.
  • Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if bills don’t arrive on time.
  • Put passwords on credit card, bank and phone accounts.
  • Minimize identification information and cards you carry.
  • Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you’re dealing with.
  • Don’t carry your SIN card; leave it in a secure place.