For so many of us, restaurant dining is very common. Whether on lunch break, out with your family or friends, following a sporting event, or just as an opportunity to spend time with your kids, it is estimated that by the end of 2010, nearly half of the total dollars spent on food by Americans will be spent in a restaurant. We are spending an estimated $580 billion in restaurants, and very frequently we are offering up a credit card to pay the bill. We sign the receipt, and we are on our way.

But this week, we were all once again reminded of how such a simple transaction can result in ruin for unsuspecting customers. Authorities recently discovered employees at a popular family restaurant chain in Washington, DC were running a scam involving the credit cards of the clientele through a process called “skimming.”

We’ve talked about credit card fraud before on the AMW Safety Center, and skimming isn’t new. And as is often the case with fraud, scammers often use classic practices in an updated context to separate you from your hard-earned cash. According to the FTC, skimming involves a computer mechanism attached to a either a specialized card reader or a legitimate card reader such as those at gas pumps or ATMs. This device captures the information encoded in the magnetic strip of your bank card, after which allowing the thieves to create an exact duplicate.

Regardless of whether the scams are new or old, the fact remains that for the 9 million annual victims of identity theft, the outcome can be significant and long-lasting. The most important weapon you have against having your identity stolen is awareness. Learn about the different techniques thieves use to steal personal information, and learn about how to protect yours. Additionally, it’s crucial to know what to do if you think your identity has been stolen so you can act fast and prevent widespread damage.

Here are some more helpful tips to protect your identity:

• Monitor your bank or credit card statements monthly and scan for suspicious charges.
• Check your credit report regularly to be sure there aren’t any charges or accounts opened that aren’t yours.
• If your identity has been stolen, some steps you should take include contacting your creditors, disputing the charges, and filing a police report.
• For suspicious activity on your legitimate accounts, you can typically dispute the charges. For fraudulent accounts, filing an identity theft report can help you gain access to additional protections.

Check out the FTC’s Fighting Back Against Identity Theft microsite for more tips on both prevention and tips for how to counter identity theft if you find yourself the victim of fraud.

Every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted. Rape is one of the most violent crimes and could affect every family in America. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted, its important to know you are not alone. There are millions of people who have experienced a similar trauma.

The Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) is the country’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Their telephone and online hotlines are available 24 hours a day to offer you help. Many victims who call the hotline start off blaming themselves, but RAINN reminds us that if you are sexually assaulted, it is not your fault, and it is never too late to get help. Continue reading Sexual Assault: Volunteer to Help Victims »

When our teens go off to college, for many of them, it might be their first time they’re living on their own. And with all of the new responsibilities of school and being away from home, it’s possible that some very basic safety concerns could slip through the cracks.

We’ve profiled many cases over the years on AMW involving home invasions, including the case of the Collgetown Creeper, who targeted female students in Ithaca, N.Y., while they slept. Continue reading Stay Alert Against Intruders »

Every 10 years, the U.S. government takes a count of every resident in the country, as required by the Constitution. This March, you should be receiving by mail a form for the 2010 Census. The data collected by the census helps the government allocate billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for resources such as hospitals, schools, infrastructure and emergency services, and to help determine congressional representation.

This year, the form will arrive by mail and is relatively short, with only 10 questions. It’s possible that census takers may visit your home to with you to confirm information, but it’s important that you know the facts regarding your rights to protect yourself from any potential phishing scam. By becoming familiar with the census questionnaire and the process, you can better protect yourself from any potential fraud. Continue reading Stay On Guard Against Census Fraud »