Residential Areas

1. Hire qualified / experienced security guards only

2. Check the antecedents / credentials of the security guard and domestic servants before hiring them. Insist on references from their previous employers. Furnish their full particulars to your police station in the format suggested by them

3. Always employ different security guard for day and night duties

4. Secretaries of Societies are advised to brief all the security men / security guard / lift men about various aspects of security. Some of these are: To make an enquiry if a taxi or auto-rickshaw is seen parked inside the compound or outside the building for a long time.
To inform the police in case they find any vehicle parked inside the building (if ownership is not known) for a long time.

5. Secretaries of societies are advised to brief all residents on the following:

• Whenever they employ a new servant, the local police station should be informed. His or her photographs, fingerprints and other details should be obtained and submitted to local police station.
• They should be advised to install a door with iron bars inside the flat, superior quality night latches and special eye lens on the main door. Ideally, interaction with strangers and vendors should be through the grilled door. High wattage light source with pilfer proof cover outside the main door should be installed.
• They should not keep huge amounts of cash, valuable ornaments etc., in the house.
• They should avoid discussing money transactions and other important family matters in the presence of servants/ outsiders.
• They should not humiliate servants on petty matters. Nor should they penalize them for small damages.

6. It is important to inform the police about any suspicious happening or unclaimed object found in suspicious circumstances. Extend full cooperation to the police.

7. A special register should be maintained in every society and kept in the custody of the security guard / watchman or in the society's office. Whenever Police officers visit the area, they should get an entry in such registers.

 

Vehicle Theft

Every year, nearly 5,000 vehicles, which amount to nearly Rs.16 crore, are stolen in Karnataka out of these, only about 1,600 are traced, often in very bad conditions, with many components missing. These vehicles are stolen only because thieves are provided with the opportunity to steal them. Very often, cars are left improperly secured and unattended. It is only with the installation of anti - theft devices that a thief's attempts can be frustrated.

Parking in a secure parking facility (garage, petrol pump, etc.) at night also safe-guards against theft. If such parking facilities are not available, parking in a well-lit area is the next best alternative.

It is advisable to get the number of your car etched on your windscreens and window glasses. It helps the authorities to trace your car if stolen.

Simple do's and don'ts :-

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO...

• Always park your two wheeler / Car in a secure place.

• Use securing devices like steering lock, clutch lock, brake lock, etc.

• Double-check all doors, including the boot
• If possible, install loud alarm systems in your car, so that thieves can be discouraged even if they manage to break into your car
• Try and use detachable music systems and take them with you whenever you park the car for a long time, so that there is no temptation for thieves to make a quick steal when they see expensive items in parked cars
• Paint your car number on the front and rear end of the body, apart from the number plates. Ideally, have it etched on the windscreens and window glasses too. This prevents them from being misused by criminals using fake number plates

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO...

• Never leave the vehicle door unlocked, nor the windows partially open. Make sure that the quarter glasses are properly secured.
• Do not leave valuables inside the car, even if it is locked, as this will attract thieves.
• Do not overdo extra fittings, as these tempt prospective thieves.
• Never leave the key dangling in the ignition

IN CASE YOUR CAR/TWO WHEELER IS STOLEN...

Report the theft to the nearest police station

Inform your insurance company

 

Banking Precautions

1.  Never introduce an unknown person for the purpose of opening an account in your Bank

2.  Never encash cheques / drafts of an unknown person through your account

3.  Do not keep your account in-operative for a long time

4.  To avoid theft in postal transit or courier services and subsequent cheating, keep a track on the cheques / drafts / pay orders sent through post and courier services

5.  As far as possible, bank transactions should be handled personally

6.  Take care of your cheque books. Do not keep signed cheques in the drawer or any place where outsiders have an easy access

7.  All bank transactions should be counter checked to ensure that deposited cheques have been realized

8.  Monthly statements of your bank account should be invariably checked

9.  At the time of withdrawal of cash, the account holder must physically check the cash. Never hand over the cash to a third person for counting

TO AVOID BOUNCING OF CHEQUES

1.  Insist for D.D. or Pay Orders if you are dealing with an unknown party

2.  Postdated cheques should be avoided

3.  If a cheque bounces, you should give a notice to the person within 15 days of such intimation. If you do not receive a reply, file a complaint in the court under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1981, where effective remedies are available to the public. All cases of bounced cheques may not be offences of cheating under the Indian Penal Code

Money Doubling / Chain Schemes

WHAT THEY SAY

• Double your money in two months or less
• Post dated cheques as a guarantee for the same
• Claim they do it by investing in some wonder projects or plantations
• Huge sums of money by being a part of the gift chain i.e. you gift a certain amount of money to two people, then find two people who will enter the chain by gifting you the sum. They in turn will get two more subscribers, and so on
• As the scheme is run by a registered company, it is absolutely safe

REALITY

• All schemes offering high returns of double money within two months or such short spans or offering high interest over and above the interest prescribed by the RBI have no legal sanction, nor they are reliable.
• Postdated cheques is not a guaranteed payment device, as they could bounce when you finally present them.
• There are no projects, especially agriculture based, which can give returns in less than a year. In fact, tree plantations take at least 10 years to mature. A mature teak tree needs atleast 25 years to be commerically viable.

• Gift schemes and chains are an offence under the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act of 1978.
• Even registered companies are not allowed to promote and run any such schemes.

IF FIRING OCCURS WHILE YOU ARE AT WORK OR WALKING ON A STREET...

• Lie down onto the ground immediately.
• Do not show any unwanted curiosity. The criminal may feel threatened and shoot at you.
• When possible, move to a safer place, slowly, without drawing attention to yourself. Take cover behind solid objects like a car or a wall.
• If you can see the criminals from your hiding place, try to note and memorize their distinguishing features.
• If you are out of sight of the criminals, call up 100 and inform the Police.
• If you are within earshot, try to remember their conversation.
• Do not disturb the scene of the crime.

IN CASE POLICEMEN ARE CHASING A CRIMINAL...

• Give way to the police immediately.
• If possible, note down the number of the escaping vehicle and the identity of the occupants.
• Remember the entry and exit routes of the criminals.