EP Women - Safety Alerts

SAFETY ALERTS!

Parking Lot Problems
Imagine:
You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside.

Then you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift into REVERSE.

Habit!
You look into the rear-view window to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper, some sort of advertisement stuck to your rear window.

So, you shift t into PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of your vehicle to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view...

When you reach the back of your car, that is when the car-jackers jump out of no where ... jump into your car and take off -- your engine is running, your purse is in the car, and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.

BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME

Through a Rapist's Eyes (No Joke)
A group of rapists and date rapists in prison were interviewed on what they look for in a potential victim and here are some interesting facts:

The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid or other hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.
The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women who's clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around to cut clothing.
They also look for women on their cell phone, searching through their purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard and can be easily overpowered.
The time of day men are most likely to attack and rape a woman is in the early morning between 5 and 8:30 a.m.
The number one place women are abducted from/attacked at is grocery store parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages. Number three is public restrooms.
The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and quickly move her to a second location where they don't have to worry about getting caught.
Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence but rape with a weapon is 15-20 years.
If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't worth it because it will be time-consuming.
These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth it.
Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind you on a street or in a garage or with you in an elevator or stairwell, look them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it, or make general small talk, I can't believe it is so cold out here, we're in for a bad winter. Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a lineup, you lose appeal as a target.
If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in front of you and yell Stop or Stay back! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate of it and carries it with him wherever he goes,) yelling I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it out will be a deterrent.
If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and armpit or in the upper inner thigh -- HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you can stand it; it hurts.
After the initial hit, always go for the groin. I know from a particularly unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is&n
When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.
Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel a little silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

PLEASE READ THEN FORWARD THIS TO EVERY WOMAN YOU KNOW, IT'S SIMPLE STUFF BUT IT COULD SAVE HER LIFE.

2-Way Mirrors - "No Space, Leave the Place"
This is something that's good to know.

Do you know how to determine if a mirror is a 2-way or not? This is not to scare you, but to make you aware. A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on. When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror? (i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them).

There have many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms. It's very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at? Just conduct this simple test:

Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it's a GENUINE mirror. However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then IT'S A 2-WAY MIRROR! "No Space, Leave the Place".

So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "Fingernail Test".
It doesn't cost you anything. It is simple to do, and might save you from "getting visually raped". Remember: "No Space, Leave the Place".

Ladies:
Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.

Men:
Share this with your wives, daughters, daughter-in-laws, mothers, etc.

Phone Scam
Picture the scene:-

You are sitting at home and there is a knock at the door. On answering it you are confronted by a respectable looking woman in a suit, who is slightly distressed. She explains that her car has broken down further down the road and she needs to contact her husband to come to her aid.

Is it at all possible to use your phone to call him?

You allow her to use the phone but being the suspicious type you stand with her as she makes the call. She dials the number and asks to be put through to Mr Smith / Brown / Stevens (Whatever). She holds the line for about thirty seconds. She continues, "In that case can you ask him to leave the meeting for a minute I need to speak to him quite urgently."

She apologies again and explains they are getting him out of a meeting.

A couple of minutes goes by and she starts to speak to her husband.

She explains the situation to him, tells him what has happened to the car, is annoyed because she now can't get to her meeting, and asks what she should do now. She listens for a few seconds and then says, "Well as soon as the meeting finishes can you come to Cardiff Road / Leicester Road /Surrey Street (Whatever), where the car has broken down.

Another few seconds go by, "OK, I'll see you in about twenty minutes then."

She put the phone down, and thanks you ever so much for your kind assistance, even offering you a pound for your trouble, but of course you decline, it's no trouble. She leaves and everything is fine.

Or is it? The day or week before knocking on your door she set up her own premium rate line with a telephone company at the cost of about £150 and she has dictated that calls to that number should be charged at £50 per minute. She has dialled that number.

The conversation she has had with her "husband" is entirely fictitious, there is a pre-recorded voice message on the other end to give you the impression she is talking to someone. She has been on the phone for about five minutes, that call just cost you £250, the majority of which goes into her pocket, and the first you know about it is when you get your bill a month later.

To rub a bit of salt into the wound, she hasn't even committed a criminal offence. You've given her permission to use your phone.

There have been 5 occasions in Luton where this has been reported in the last couple of weeks.

Would anyone reading this please pass it on to friends and colleagues etc. otherwise it could cost someone a lot of money.

ATM Scam
The latest ATM scam involves thieves putting a thin, clear, rigid plastic 'sleeve' into the ATM card slot. When you insert your card, the machine can't read the strip, so it keeps asking you to re-enter your PIN number. Meanwhile, someone behind you watches as you tap in your number. Eventually you give up, thinking the machine has swallowed your card and you walk away. The thieves then remove the plastic sleeve complete with card, and empty your account. To avoid this, run your finger along the card slot before you put your card in. The sleeve has a couple of tiny prongs that the thieves need to get the sleeve out of the slot, and you'll be able to feel them.

Beware of Strangers Bearing Gifts!
Two males have been approaching women in shopping center or mall parking lots. They ask their intended victims what kind of perfume they are wearing. Then they ask if you would like to sample some fabulous new scent they are willing to sell at a very reasonable rate. This is not perfume-it is ether! These men will then take your wallet and any other valuables when you pass out.

That's Not a Cell Phone!
Cell Phone Gun
Things are not always as they seem, here you can see a gun disguised as a cell phone. Download the video (541k).

Pager, Cell Phone Alert!
The Detroit, Michigan ASIS chapter has issued a warning that, as most of us use some form of electronic communication, i.e., pagers, cell phones, voice mail, etc. There is an area code (809) attached to a phone number and maybe some form of important message that might come up on your pager, cell, etc. This area code connects to somewhere in the Virgin Islands and will get you onto someone, or a recording, that will try to keep you on the line as long as possible. The charge, per minute is $2450.00 (TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS). Because this operation is not in the US, it is not regulated by the US communications commission, so they are not required to tell you the rate per minute, nor tell you that if you hang up, before a certain length of time, that they can't charge you.

If they keep you on the phone for ten minutes, that's $24,500.00 that you are legally obligated to pay. Your own phone company and long distance carrier might feel sorry for you, but they are going to tell you that they are just acting as the billing agent. Can they collect? Well, if you think about it, not too many lawyers would bother with an out of country $200.00-$300.00 bill but amounts like $15,000.00-$20,000.00 is difficult to pass up. The ASIS article indicates that these bills are legitimate and collectable. BE CAREFUL WHICH MESSAGES YOU RETURN and if you return a call that seems a little fishy, hang up fast, because there is a brief time limit that is not charged.

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies - Survey Results
The Price of Fear - Seventy-eight percent of those surveyed said the expenses associated with being a victim of a crime such as stalking, car jacking, child abduction or home invasion could seriously affect their finances. Respondents estimated that the cost of responding to an incident of stalking, car jacking, child abduction or home invasion would be on average $38,000, with nine percent estimating it would cost in the six figures.

Stalking is a Growing Concern - More than one-third of those surveyed have been stalked or know a family member or a friend who has been stalked. Twenty-four percent of female respondents have been stalked versus 6% of males. Sixty-one percent of the stalking incidents involving respondents or people they knew were perpetrated by an ex-spouse/ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend. Twenty-five percent of the incidents involved a stranger. Males (16%) were more likely than females (4%) to be stalked by a friend. Forty-five percent of female respondents have received unwanted advances over the phone or the Internet versus 37% of males. Fifty-two percent of female respondents fear that they or a family member could be stalked versus 40% of males. "The unfortunate reality is that stalking is a growing concern for both men and women," said Spicer.

Car Jacking Fears Prompt Many Women to Drive With Windows Up - Fifty-eight percent of respondents fear being car jacked (54% male versus 60% female). Seventy-four percent of females always drive with the windows up and doors locked to prevent car jacking (versus 57% of males). Other preventative measures include avoiding traveling to certain neighborhoods (61%), and parking close to elevators/entrances (45%). Only 14% of participants do not take any preventive measures against car jacking.

Victims Respond - Female stalking victims (19%) are twice as likely to have filed a restraining order against their stalker as males (nine percent). Twenty-one percent of respondents needed to change their address, telephone number or e-mail address to avoid being stalked. Ten percent of females were forced to relocate either temporarily or permanently in order to escape a stalker or due to a home invasion.

Child Abduction Fears Loom Large, Chubb Survey Shows Warren, New Jersey, August 30, 2001 - Nearly two-thirds of Americans are not confident that their children are always safe when living away from home at school, camp or another program, concludes a nationwide survey sponsored by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. The survey of 311 people, which was conducted this month by Impulse Research of Los Angeles, found that more than 70% of female respondents worry that their child or the child of a relative might be abducted versus 53% of male respondents.

Danger Zones - More than 90% of respondents think that child abductions most likely occur in malls and shopping centers, while walking to and from school, at the playground and or while on vacation. Eighty-four percent of males and 74% of females ranked class field trips as another top place for abduction. "Child safety is not only a paramount parental fear outside the home but inside as well," said Peter Spicer, assistant vice president of Chubb & Son and the new product manager of Chubb Personal Insurance. "In safeguarding one's home from an invasion, the survey surprisingly found that 30% of respondents only lock their doors at night." Nine percent of male respondents and 3% of female respondents said they rarely or never lock their doors.

Top Security Measures - The most prevalent security precautions taken to prevent child abductions are teaching the child not to talk to strangers (81%); ensuring that a child is always with an adult (79%); and preventing the child from going to certain areas in town (58%). Forty percent of participants provide children with a cell phone or require check-in calls. "Parents are taking action to protect their children," said Spicer. More than a quarter of respondents took steps to improve their household security (i.e., change locks and/or install improved security bars, motion sensing lights and/or centrally monitored home security system) due to an actual incident or threat against the family.

The member insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies form a multi-billion dollar organization providing property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers worldwide.