Some dangers children and teenagers face on the Internet include exposure to inappropriate material, sexual solicitation, bullying, and even identity theft. Internet social networking websites that are popular with children and teenagers are also a common source for sexual predators to use for targeting young victims.

Parents

• Educate your children on Internet safety as you do with real-world safety. Talk to your children about the dangers, and establish rules that should include:
  • A time limit on the daily use of the Internet.
  • Websites that your children are allowed to use.
  • Never respond to harassing or bullying messages you receive.
  • Never participate in harassing or bullying messages.
  • It can be hazardous to meet in person someone you've met on the Internet; they may not be who they claim to be. If you must go, promise to bring a parent with you.
• Keep the computer in a common area, not a child's bedroom.
• Stay involved and familiarize yourself with the sites your children would visit, such as social networking websites.
• Make sure your children don't share personal information online. Personal information includes name, address, schools, and sports teams.
• Emphasize with your children never to write anything on the Internet that you wouldn't put on the front page of a newspaper. Once you've placed something online, it could stay there forever. Your online profile reflects who you are and can be viewed by anyone, including coaches, employers, and college admissions offices.
• Communicate with your children. Assure them that if they make a mistake, get harassed, or sexually solicited, they can always come to you. Children are more vulnerable when they feel alone.

Stay current on Internet safety-related issues, and remain diligent in reminding children how to stay safe online.

Internet Safety Resources

• www.netsmartz.org
• www.cybertipline.org

Locking doors and windows is a simple and effective first step to preventing home burglaries. Criminals are opportunists and look for easy targets. Open garage doors provide an ideal opportunity for criminals by giving them a clear view of valuables and easy access into your home.

Recommendations

• Lock doors and ground floor windows when away from home or retiring for the evening.
• Close and lock all garage doors (especially after dark).
• Equip all exterior doors with good-quality deadbolt locks (single cylinder) and high-security strike plates with three-inch screws.
• Sliding glass and patio doors are a common point of entry in a burglary. View the diagram showing how to prevent forced entry.
• When away, create the appearance that your home is occupied using timers on interior lights.
• Use motion sensors on outside lights, especially in secluded areas.
• Keep valuables in an unlikely place. Bedroom dressers and closets are typically the first place a burglar will look.
• Document valuables by recording serial numbers and taking photos of unique items such as jewelry.
• Get to know your neighbors. Establish that you can rely on each other to remain watchful of the neighborhood.
• Before leaving on a trip:
  • Have your newspaper and mail stopped or picked up daily.
  • Keep travel plans private from social networking websites.
  • Ask trusted neighbors to watch your home.
  • Have your lawn mowed regularly, and keep the driveway/sidewalk shoveled.

Identity theft has become a significant concern, and the City of Chanhassen encourages citizens to remain alert to activity linked to this crime. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information to commit a crime. The most common identity theft cases involve robbery or fraud of credit cards or checks/bank accounts. More complex issues include thieves using victims' personal information to open new credit card accounts or loans.

Protecting your personal information is not always within your control. However, the more you know how to protect your identity, the more difficult it becomes for an identity thief to target your personal information.

• Beware of "phishing" scams. Scam artists "phish" victims by pretending to be banks, stores, or government agencies such as the IRS or law enforcement. They do this over the phone, in emails and texts, and in the U.S. mail. Don't give out your personal information. Refrain from responding to a request to verify your account or password. Legitimate companies do not request this kind of information in this way.
• Never email your financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting financial information like your credit card, checking account, or Social Security Number.
• Keep a list of all your credit card and bank accounts in a secure place so you can quickly contact the issuers about missing or stolen cards.
• Never carry your Social Security Number (SSN) in your wallet; always store it in a secure place. Give your SSN only when necessary.
• Never leave a purse, wallet, or checkbook unattended, especially in a vehicle.
• Limit the number of credit cards you carry. Close out any accounts that you do not use.
• When ordering checks, pick them up at the bank instead of having them mailed to you.
• Do not print your driver's license or phone number on your checks.
• Shred personal documents you discard, including unsolicited mail such as pre-approved loans and credit cards.
• Review your credit history regularly. You can obtain a free credit report once a year:
  • Log onto the www.annualcreditreport.com; or
  • Call 1-877-322-8228; or
  • Write to Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Minnesota Identity Theft Freeze Law

This law gives Minnesota residents more control over credit records maintained by the Credit Bureaus. For a $5 fee, a citizen can place a freeze on their credit report. This freeze will help to prevent identity thieves from obtaining new credit under the consumer's name. A fee of $5 is charged to release the freeze.

Identity Theft Victim - Personal Recovery Plan Assistance

• Federal Trade Commission

Crimes commonly reported throughout the metro include thefts from unattended vehicles, fitness centers, and shopping malls.

Popular Stolen Valuables

• Purses
• Wallets
• Laptop computers
• Other Electronics
• Packages

A criminal will often steal a purse or wallet and, within minutes, make purchases with the credit cards before the victim discovers the loss.

Reduce Your Risk

Vehicles

• Always lock your vehicle.
• Remove all valuables, even when parked in the garage.
• If you have no choice and must leave valuables in your car, place items in the trunk or away from plain view before arriving at your destination.

Fitness Centers

• Leave valuables such as jewelry, unnecessary credit cards/checkbooks, or other personal information at home.
• Bring only what you need into the fitness center, but never leave a purse or wallet in your vehicle.
• Always use lockers equipped with locks, or bring a lock with you.

Out and About

• Never leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart, even for a few seconds.
• Never hang your bag on the backside of a chair while at a bar or restaurant.
• Carry a wallet or money clip in your front pocket.