Scams come in many different shapes — identity theft, credit repair, smishing, phone crammers, online dating — but they all have the same goal: taking advantage of you. If you are targetted by a scammer, you might be taken for cash, or worse, you could be the victim of identity theft. Someone could get control of your personal information and if you are unaware, they could continue spending money in your name, open new accounts, ruin your credit and ruin your life.

Over 9 million Americans fall victim to some form of identity theft each year, so it’s important to make sure you are taking the proper precautions to be sure you are protecting yourself.

The AMW Safety Center is full of information to help you identify all types of scams. And if you happen to find yourself the victim of a scam, we have a lot of tips for what to do to help you regain control. Continue reading Outsmart Scammers: Fighting Back Against Fraud »

Child sexual abuse is one of the most poignant forms of abuse, and it’s a crime that affects the entire family. There are several symptoms that could raise a flag signaling abuse, and recognizing these signs could help you save a child.

If you notice unexplained illnesses and injuries, or if a child begins to withdraw, become fearful or lose self confidence, these are all signs that a child could be being abused.

Check out the National Center for Victims of Crime for more tips on identifying an abused child, and for a wealth of resources available to help victims deal with the pain.

Every 2 minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. But the majority of these attacks are never reported to the police. If you or someone you know are attacked, it can be a very difficult decision to come forward and report the crime.

Regardless of whether you come forward right away or if you decide to wait, one of the most important tools you have in the search for justice is to have a rape kit taken. When a nurse or doctor takes a rape kit, they collect fibers and DNA samples–hair, saliva, or other fluids–which is sent to a lab to run tests that might help to identify an attacker.

The DNA database contains information for over 6 million convicted criminals, and allows law enforcement to share information across state lines. DNA samples contain accurate information that help to identify a criminal and that could bring you much closer to getting justice.

Check some other posts on sexual assault right here at the AMW Safety Center for more information and resources.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the National Night Out program. All over the country, over 9,500 communities are participating in events during this week that celebrate residents and police officers working together to keep our neighborhoods safe. Citizens, businesses, schools and civic groups all participate in these campaigns that serve to send a clear message to criminals.

These celebrations take the form of block parties, cook outs, candlelight vigils, sports events, and or other activities that involve people of all ages.

The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. has seen NNO help local communities in several ways:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
• NNO helps generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs.
• Bringing neighbors together by strengthening neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
• Sends a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Contact your local law enforcement today to find out about events in your community, and check out the NNO site to find out what other communities have done.