RVA Personal Safety Services

08/31/2024

Join us for vital seminars on personal safety! RSVP today!
Happy Labor Day Weekend!

05/19/2024

RVA Personal Safety Services is proud to announce that we will be holding another Home Firearm Safety Course on June 15th, from 9:30am-1:30pm. This class will qualify you for the Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit. Bring 3 paying adults and you're Free! Bring the whole family! Learn the 3 rules for safe gun handling, firearm parts, how to unload certain action types, and the safe storage of fi****ms and ammunition in the home and other valuable information. No gun required, no shooting, and no test! Scan the QR code for more information and/or to register.

01/25/2024

Cryptocurrency Scams:
As cryptocurrencies continue to buzz, people may fear missing out on investment opportunities. The scams can take different forms but often involve fake prizes, contests, giveaways or early investment opportunities. The scammers may impersonate celebrities or popular cryptocurrency websites to lure victims into sending them money, sharing login information or "investing" in a project. Crypto exchange accounts have also been the target of OTP bots because you might not be able to get your crypto back if the scammer drains your account.

Stay Aware!

01/01/2024

May the coming year bring you success, laughter, and the fulfillment of all your dreams!

12/04/2023

Digital Pickpocketing:

Another scam we're seeing on the rise recently is Digital Pickpocketing. RFID wallets are specially designed to protect your chip enabled (ex: Apple Pay) credit card from digital pickpocketing. These wallets contain a special lining that blocks any radio frequency signals. This keeps your credit card information secure and prevents unauthorized access to it. RFID wallets come in many sizes, styles, and colors, so you can find one that fits your lifestyle. Additionally, some RFID wallets also come with additional features like the ability to store multiple cards or other items such as cash or coins.(Thanks for Tom Childrey, The Credit Card Guy, for passing this tip along.)

11/22/2023

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

"We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives." John F. Kennedy

10/31/2023

Happy Halloween! Don't let this Bot get you!

One-Time Password (OTP) Bots:

An alternative to SIM swapping, some scammers are using so-called OTP bots to trick people into sharing the authentication codes that are sent to them via text or email, or that they have to look up in an authentication app or device.

The bots may initiate a robocall or send you a text imitating a legitimate company. For example, the robocall may look and sound like it's coming from a bank. The voice asks you to authorize a charge and tells you to input the code you're texted if it's not the one you made.

In reality, the bot is attempting to log in to your account, which triggers the system to send you the code. If you share the code, the scammer can then log in to your account!

Stay Alert and Stay Safe!

10/17/2023

Phone Calls From Numbers Like Yours:

Free software exists that lets a caller falsify the caller ID number that appears on a target’s phone. So criminals might use a number that looks similar to yours or your bank’s number or that of a government agency such as the IRS, Medicare, or police department, to get you to answer. Let all suspicious or unexpected calls go to voicemail. Note that federal agencies will never call and ask for your Medicare or Social Security number or other identifiers.

Stay Alert, Stay Safe!

10/03/2023

Halloween Safety Tips - Continued:

6) Increase your child's visibility - Halloween costumes often feature dark colors, making kids harder to see at night. Choose a lighter-colored costume if possible, and pass out glow sticks or use reflective tape to ensure kids are visible to motorists.

7) Encourage kids to stay together - Even if you will be accompanying your children, remind them to stick with your group at all times. For older kids who will be trick-or-treating without your supervision, the buddy system is essential. Make sure their phones are charged in case they become separated from their friends.

8) Have kids stick to familiar, well-lit areas - If you won't be accompanying your older kids on Halloween night, discuss their route in advance and remind them to stay in your neighborhood. Reiterate that they should never enter a stranger's house or accept a ride from someone they don't know.

9) Check all treats - While stories of Halloween candy tampering are mostly urban legends, it never hurts to be safe. Inspect your child's candy before they indulge and make sure to remove any treats that aren't age-appropriate-such as gum or jawbreakers your toddler could choke on.

10) Be mindful of allergies - Emergency room visits due to peanut and tree nut allergies surge on Halloween. If your child has an allergy that keeps them from eating many kinds of candy, consider stocking up on allergy-friendly treats and have your child swap out their haul at the end of the night.

Stay Alert
Stay Safe

10/02/2023

It's that time of year again! Halloween 2023 - Here's some safety tips for the younger kids out there. Halloween is a highlight of the year for kids - but this delightfully spooky holiday also comes with an increased risk of injury. Protect your young trick-or-treaters by following these essential tips for a safe and fun Halloween!

1) Practice costume safety - Make sure all costumes, wigs, and accessories are fire-resistant, as your kids could encounter anything from jack-o-lantern candle flames to a neighbor's bonfire while trick or treating. An ill-fitting or uncomfortable costume can also make or break your child's Halloween. Try before you buy, and ensure that the costume doesn't pose a tripping hazard.

2) Choose makeup wisely - Many kids have sensitive skin. Choose nontoxic cosmetic products and test makeup on a small area first to see if any irritation occurs. At the end of the night, follow the product's instructions to fully remove all makeup.

3) Rethink the mask - Masks can obscure kids' vision, making it difficult for them to see traffic or tripping hazards,. Instead, plan a mask-free costume - the options are endless!

4) Prepare for the scare - Especially for young children. Halloween sights and sounds can be intense. It may help to have a discussion in advance about the difference between reality and "make believe." Reassure kids that it's OK to feel nervous. If they aren't ready for the haunted house this year, maybe they can try ti next year.

5) Give kids a refresher on traffic safety - In the excitement of the holiday, even older kids may forget the traffic-safety rules they follow every day. Sadly, the consequences can be deadly-children have a greater chance of being fatally injured by a car on Halloween than on any other day. So, it's extra important to remind kids how to cross the street safely.
(to be continued)

09/29/2023

https://conta.cc/3LID5qK
October is Church Safety & Security Month

Providing principles of personal safety and crime prevention It's October,(almost!) time to start planning for Church Safety and Security Month!   We never think a crime can happen to us, until it doe

09/22/2023

Grandparent/Emergency Scams - Prevention Tips:
* The police or legal entities will never request that money be sent through the mail or by gift cards.
* Don't give out personal information to the caller
* Confirm with other relatives the whereabouts of the family member or friend in question before even considering sending money.
* Never send money through money wire services to persons you don't know personally. Verify the person's identity before you take any steps to help. The money can be picked up anywhere in the world once it is given a transaction number.