Beware. Roaming scammers.

In the past couple of weeks there have been individuals walking door to door using different stories to get unsuspecting Burlingamer's to cough up their hard earned money in the name of charity. 

In my neighborhood,( Burlingables) the story told by the young man at my door was that his Mother, he gave a name and address, suggested that he ask me if I would donate to his cause. In another similar case across town,(Ray Park) a friend was asked to donate to a different charity by a different individual using the same tactic. She gave him cash to "go away." An older woman around the corner from my house actually wrote him a check.

These crimes of opportunity often go unreported.

As a public service, here is a list of suggestions to keep burglars and scammers at bay.

THIRTEEN THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your
carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom--and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.


8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

Comments

[james]

You sound like a ______ (Editor's note, please watch your language on this site or go somewhere else). I was just thinking going door to door to do gutter cleaning as it is good seasonal work . Key word Work! But now you want people to think that i am just a criminal, looking to rob you because im looing for work in work attire thanks prick

[Bruce Dickinson]

Jimmy boy, why are you so defensive? Russ Cohen's tips have tremendous relevance given the rash of robberies in Burlingame employing those exact techniques he described. Sorry, but the bad apples spoiled the whole lot and now we must exercise abundance of caution when dealing with solicitors.

Nothing wrong with offering gutter cleaning service, in fact Bruce Dickinson's copper gutters could use a good cleaning in about a month once most of the leaves have fallen. Just get a solicitation permit from the City of Burlingame, maybe post a few flyers in the areas you want to work in, and then try to conduct business in a non-suspicious fashion. Russ' advice could prevent a few robberies and when peoples' property is protected from those trying to mis-appropriate it, how is this bad?!? Lots of mis-directed anger out there guys, let's all take a deep breath and think before you lash. Who are you really helping?!?

[[email protected]]

An excellent and time appropriate place to begin would be consideration of the Non Licensed, Non insured, non Dept of Health permits, allowed to operate in Burlingame selling food from "open air mobile vehicles."
As well as selling non taxable food.
9 to one say being served by undocumented, illegal aliens.
Folks, let us just start with the basics for operating a business, any type of business in the City of Burlingame.
Candy Store, Medical Office, Dentist, Coffee Shop.
This would be a great way of educating "everyone" who has at least one more once of "soul" to take a look at what we are collectively allowing our government to blind us to "some really f'd up way of life.