Good morning neighbors.  Here are two emails that I received over the weekend that may be of importance to you.

Glenn

Email 1:

Today we had a few visitors that may be of interest. About 3:30 I was picking up our foster kids and when I got back home my wife told me that a man saying he was with the FBI had come to the door inquiring about our neighbor and something about a Sandia security clearance. He did not show proper ID and and when she asked him who he was asking about again he said that he was a retired FBI agent and that he had the wrong address. He was looking for 7501. 

Just before sunset and young man came to by saying he was the neighbors grandson and he was doing a school project. Probably a magazine salesman doing the area. Have you heard from anyone else about these two? Watch out folks. There are strangers walking around in the daytime.

 

*** Unless things have changed lately, only the Secrete Service does government security checks not the FBI.  This is a concerning issue.  I checked with the homeowners at 7501 and no one visited them regarding this issue.  I informed APD this morning.

Email 2:

One could easily fall for this - beware of people bearing gifts


There is a new and clever credit card scam. Please circulate this. Someone
It happened to says it works like this:

Wednesday a week ago, I had a phone call from someone who said that he
Was from some outfit called: "Express Couriers" asking if I was going
To be home because there was a package for me, and the caller said
That the delivery would arrive at my home in roughly an hour. And sure
Enough, about an hour later, a uniformed delivery man turned up with a
Beautiful basket of flowers and wine. I was very surprised since it did not
Involve any special occasion or holiday, and I certainly didn't expect
Anything like it. Intrigued about who would send me such a gift, I
Inquired as to who the sender is. The deliveryman's reply was, he was
Only delivering the gift package, but allegedly a card was being sent
Separately; (the card has never arrived!). There was also a
Consignment note with the gift.

He then went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol,
There was a $3.50 "delivery charge" as proof that he had actually
Delivered the package to an adult, and not just left it on the
Doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by anyone.

This sounded logical and I offered to pay him cash. He then said that
The company required the payment to be by credit or debit card only so
That everything is properly accounted for.

My husband, who by this time was standing beside me, pulled his
Wallet out of his pocket with the credit/debit card, and 'John', the
"delivery man", asked my husband to swipe the card on the small mobile
Card machine which had a small screen and keypad where Frank was also
Asked to enter the card's PIN and security number. A receipt was
Printed out and given to us.

To our horrible surprise, between Thursday and the following Monday,
$4,000 had been charged/withdrawn from our credit/debit account at
Various ATM machines.

It appeared that somehow the "mobile credit card machine" which the
Deliveryman carried now had all the info necessary to create a "dummy"
Card with all our card details after my husband swiped our card and
Entered the requested PIN and security number.

Upon finding out about the illegal transactions on our card, we
Immediately notified the bank which issued us the card, and our
Credit/debit account was closed.

We also personally went to the Police, where it was confirmed that it
Is definitely a scam because several households had been similarly
Hit.

WARNING: Be wary of accepting any "surprise gift or package", which
You neither expected nor personally ordered, especially if it involves
Any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift or package.
Also, never accept anything if you do not personally know or there is
No proper identification of who the sender is.

Above all, the only time you should give out any personal credit/debit
Card information is when you yourself initiated the purchase or
Transaction!

Pass this on, it may just prevent someone else from being swindled

Dear Sandia Heights Resident:

please be aware and pass on this information to your friends/neighbors/family. 

 

ADT Alarm Company Scam

There is a sophisticated group of individuals operating door to door in the ABQ area, presenting themselves as working for ADT Alarm Company. They tell residents that they will change the batteries in the alarm systems within their homes. These individuals even have "company identification badges" hanging around their necks or pinned to their clothing. Do not let these individuals into your home. This is a prelude to home invasion. Victims have sustained injuries, been robbed and their homes ransacked.

The Key Ring SCAM (per APD Crime Prevention)

Be careful at gas stations & parking lots where /criminals may be giving free key rings with a device chip. There is a syndicate of criminals presenting themselves as sales promoters who are giving away free key rings at gas stations and parking lots. The key ring has a tracking device chip which allows the criminals to track and follow you. Please, please don't accept them. They select their seemingly well-to-do potential victims and if you accept, you might become a victim of their tricks. The key holders are very beautiful and hard to resist accepting; but remember, you may end up paying more than the cost of a key holder, including the risk to your life.

Please advise your family members, email contacts, and friends as well.

Sheriff Department Emergency: 911

Sheriff Department Non-emergency: 798-7000

Sandia Heights Security Mobile: 263-4654

Sandia Heights Security Office: 856-6347

Important News Alert!

On Wednesday morning around 3:00 am, on the 7300 block of Vista del Arroyo, two men were attempting to steal the wheels and tires off a neighbor's parked truck in the driveway.  They were noticed by a guest at the house across the street, thanks to a street light.  The guest was able to stop the theft by flashing the porch lights and getting the attention of the thugs.  These thugs were in a purple or dark colored Ford truck, with writing or something distinguishable in the rear window.  No license plate numbers were taken.  This is the third or fourth incident of this type in our neighborhood in the last six months.  In addition, this is the second time that this home has had items stolen.  The first time their passenger vehicle was broken into and a lap top computer was stolen.  The thugs tried to steal this vehicle but failed.  Sadly, this family just recently moved into our neighborhood.

We were lucky that someone heard and stopped this theft.  Many of our vehicles are parked in driveways without lighting.  With the right kind of outdoor lighting, or just the porch lights on, getting license plate numbers would be easier.  APD tells us that lighting is critical to preventing thefts.

Also, thugs are stealing mail again.  The central mailbox at the 7500 block of Vista del Arroyo was broken into the same night.

Just east of our association area, another home was burglarized this week.

We are back on the target list for this worthless bums, stay attentive.

News of the Neighborhood!

Two more vehicles were broken into, one in the driveway and one parked on the street.  Many items were taken from both vehicles.  Do not leave anything of value in a car parked outside of the garage.  It will be a target for these thugs.  One of the vehicles broken into is at a home that was visited by the individuals begging for money last week.  It may just be a coincidence, but..... they could have been casing houses as well as begging.

Vehicles were damaged on Arroyo del Oso when someone late at night drove into parked cars on the street, then driving off before anyone could catch them.

One resident's daughter was visiting and when they were preparing to leave while loading their car, a man in a vehicle (older small suv, cream on light grey with Nevada plates) stopped and got out his vehicle while the daughter went into the house to get another load.  He walked up the driveway, and stole the items in the car including a lap top computer.  This took place around 10 am on Saturday, as the daughter was making numerous trips to the car from the house loading the vehicle.  She actually came out and saw the individual with the lap top in hand.  These are bad people with no fear doing these things at any time of day or night.  Stay safe, look at your surroundings when loading or unloading your vehicles.  Obviously, this crook was watching or looking for this type of opportunity.

Lately on my street, I have noticed a number of vehicles driving slow and looking at houses.  I do not recognize these people/cars as regulars or neighbors.  To me, it seems like more unknown visitors to the neighborhood than in years' past. 

On Trash pick-up day, if you work or not at home, have a neighbor move your empty trash can onto your property after pick up.  A empty canister in the street after pick-up is an indicator that no one is at home.  Making a home a target for these worthless thugs.

The holidays are a time when thieves and con artists are frequently on the prowl. Here are some tips  to help keep your home, your car, your possessions, and your family safe.


Keeping Your Home Safe

• We all want our homes to reflect the joy of the season, but avoid displaying gifts where they can be seen from a window or doorway.
• Arrange to have packages delivered to a neighbor if you're not home to receive them.
• Packages left on porches or doorsteps are "easy picking" for thieves. It also draws unwanted attention to your home.
• Consider simple outside decorations. Elaborate or large lawn pieces are often stolen right out of the lawn.
• Be sure not to obscure the view from your windows. You need a clear view of your property.
• Always lock your home's doors and windows, even if you're only gone for a few minutes.
• Compact or dispose of packaging discreetly. Often criminals will spot something you've discarded and can target you for their next burglary or theft.
• When leaving town, have a trusted friend or neighbor take care of your home. Never cancel general deliveries such as mail, newspapers, and other services when leaving town or going on vacation.

Hello Neighbors

This blog is for Arroyo del Oso South home residence. This blog will have information on up-to-date crime issues that have been reported to us.