Laptop Alert and Identity Theft

Reply To:	Alto al Crimen <info@altoalcrimen.org>

Boquete is generally a very safe and low-crime community. However, recently due to the continued presence of "Ozzie" in our community, laptop thefts have become an epidemic. It appears that Ozzie is recruiting local help in a ring to steal laptop computers, and equally importantly, the identity information that they generally contain. Two examples from the last week:

- A new resident in a rental house had a stranger appear at his door and ask for water because his radiator was overheating. The resident invited the stranger into the house and went to the kitchen to fill the bottle that was presented. When he returned, seconds later, the stranger and the resident's laptop were gone. 

 

NEWCOMERS need to be aware to NEVER NEVER NEVER allow a stranger who appears at your door (or a worker in the vicinity) into your house. Panamanians are very respectful of other people's property and will never ask to be invited in unless they are known to the resident. Asking for water is the oldest trick in the book for criminals to gain entrance to ignorant gringo's houses, either to steal immediately, or to scope them out for later theft. 

 

- More valuable than your laptop computer is the identity information it contains. For one unfortunate couple, who went off to David with their laptop in plain sight and found it missing on their return, the laptop loss was only the beginning. After discovering that their Social Security checks were no longer arriving in their bank, they spent weeks and thousands of dollars going to the US to sign papers, change accounts and get their identity back. Desktop computers are less of a target, but Ozzie's method is to remove the hard drive and memory chips and chuck the box in the bushes. The hard drive with all your personal identity information on it. Be aware that once stolen, the thief will gain access to all of your online accounts, web sites etc. and banking information that you may have. If they are able to get the number of a debit card, they could clean out your bank account before you even realize that something is happening. 

So until this parasite can be (once again) removed from our community, we all need to take special precautions with our valuable personal information. Either get a security cable for your laptop or get in the habit of hiding it when you are not using it, especially at night or when you are not at home. Also, you can take precautions to protect your entire property with perimeter alarms, security lights, video cameras and such as we have discussed before and at the Alto al Crimen workshops.  

A more complete discussion of this situation is available on the Crime Stoppers group of Boquete.ning: http://boquete.ning.com/group/crimestoppers/forum/topics/laptop-alert-and-identity

 

Fundacion Alto al Crimen is a non-profit Panama foundation established by a group of expatriates and Panamanians to reduce the crime rate in the District of Boquete through direct action and close cooperation with the local police establishment. In addition, AAC has established the Boquete Hot Line (6477-6662), a 24/7 emergency service for medical, roadside assistance and translation services. AAC is funded entirely by the generous contributions of the citizens of Boquete. For more information or to make a donation, contact info@altoalcrimen.org.

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