In response to several recent burglaries, attempted burglaries and phone scams throughout our town, the Howell Township Police Department has released the following information intended to enhance your safety and security.
The Howell Township Police Department is actively investigating several reports of burglaries that have occurred in the Ramtown section of town.
Between Aug 26 and Sept 6, the Police Department has responded to several residences on Pine Needle St, Lilac Pl, Orchard Ct and Ramtown-Greenville Road for reports of break-ins. In most cases, the residents were not home during the time frame of the break-ins.
How To Protect Yourself:
• Double check that all doors and windows are locked before leaving the house.
• Use automatic timers on lights when away. Consider motion-activated lights, even on the street outside your home.
• Set any alarm systems when leaving the house, even during daytime hours.
• Be alert. Immediately report any unusual activity to the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4111. Unusual activity would include people in your or your neighbors’ back yards, individuals ringing doorbells or knocking on doors and asking for someone who doesn’t live there, individuals carrying burglary proceeds, etc.
• Avoid storing valuables in easy to predict locations such as kitchen counters, bedrooms, dressers, etc.
• Record make, model, and serial numbers of all valuable electronics, and photograph all valuable jewelry. This makes it easier for police to identify stolen items.
Phone Scams:
Every year, thousands of people lose money to telephone scams-from a few dollars to their life savings. Scammers will say anything to cheat people out of money. Some seem very friendly-calling you by your first name, making small talk, and asking about your family. They may claim to work for a company you trust, or they may send mail or place ads to convince you to call them.
If you get a call from someone you don’t know who is trying to sell you something you hadn’t planned to buy, say "No thanks." And, if they pressure you about giving up personal information-like your credit card or Social Security number-it’s likely a scam. Hang up and report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Some Additional Guidelines
• Resist pressure to make a decision immediately.
• Keep your credit card, checking account, or Social Security numbers to yourself. Don't tell them to callers you don't know-even if they ask you to “confirm” this information. That's a trick.
• Don’t pay for something just because you’ll get a “free gift.”
• Get all information in writing before you agree to buy.
• Check out a charity before you give. Ask how much of your donation actually goes to the charity. Ask the caller to send you written information so you can make an informed decision without being pressured, rushed, or guilted into it.
• If the offer is an investment, check with your state securities regulator to see if the offer-and the offeror-are properly registered.
• Don’t send cash by messenger, overnight mail, or money transfer. If you use cash or a money transfer-rather than a credit card-you may lose your right to dispute fraudulent charges. The money will be gone.
• Don’t agree to any offer for which you have to pay a “registration” or “shipping” fee to get a prize or a gift.
• Research offers with your consumer protection agency or state Attorney General’s office before you agree to send money.
• Beware of offers to “help” you recover money you have already lost. Callers that say they are law enforcement officers who will help you get your money back “for a fee” are scammers.
• Report any caller who is rude or abusive, even if you already sent them money. They'll want more. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit ftc.gov/complaint.
Join the National Do Not Call List
Register your home and mobile phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. This won’t stop all unsolicited calls, but it will stop most.
If your number is on the registry and you still get calls, they’re probably from scammers ignoring the law. Hang up, and report them at www.donotcall.gov.