Posted by 101livescan on 6/27/13 12:50pm
Msg #474878

Murphy's Law

I have a signing today at 5pm where the borrower has no photo ID. Her wallet was stolen yesterday, no one is using her credit cards. They probably grabbed the cash and threw the wallet in a dumpster somewhere. She offered up her Costco card and her very first USPassport when she was 16...Luckily, Wells Fargo has a copy of her drivers' license, and I've been authorized to identify her with two credible witnesses who know her, neighbors.

Lots of people getting robbed and their cars vandalized for their wallets. Sign of the times...here we are in the very day she is to sign refi docs, and ID is stolen the day before. Happening more and more as people come to me for live scan fingerprinting with only a temporary drivers license, which I cannot use.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/27/13 1:12pm
Msg #474880

?Well - why on earth are people leaving their wallets in their cars? That is what thieves are hoping for, and they go there for those reasons. Are there that many stupid people in this country? Do they deserve this? No, not the theft, but yes, because of their invitations.

SMH

Reply by Linda Spanski on 6/27/13 3:34pm
Msg #474886

The vicitm deserved it

That's an interesting opinion, jba. I can see the thief telling the judge, "But Your Honor, she was stupid. She was asking for it!"

I've been lucky; I've been stupid plenty of times but no one decided it was appropriate to vicimize me.

Reply by desktopfull on 6/27/13 3:38pm
Msg #474888

Re: The vicitm deserved it

Given today's criminals, yeah the lady should have known better.

Reply by TamaraCA on 6/27/13 4:05pm
Msg #474892

Don't make excuses for bad behavior...

Criminals are dirt!! Just because they happened to walk by a car that had a wallet sitting in the front seat does not give them the okay to take someone elses property. Neither you nor I would do that so why do we excuse the behavior of someone who would?

No, the lady was NOT asking for it by doing that. She was simply going about her day and she was victimized. There is nothing stupid about it.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 6/27/13 5:41pm
Msg #474905

Agree, Tamara. Some people blame the victims no matter

the crimes the criminals visit upon them.

Reply by Buddy Young on 6/27/13 7:53pm
Msg #474921

Re: Don't make excuses for bad behavior...

Might as well hang a sign on the car. "my wallet is on the front seat, please take it"

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/27/13 8:05pm
Msg #474922

Re: Murphy's Law - policemen here give little

mini-courses on not getting robbed. Mine was broken into because there was a stinkin' PHONE CHARGER IN IT and it was visible. In the same parking lot, cars were broken into for visible spare change.

Don't leave ANYTHING of value in your car that it is visible from the outside.

We have little signs around town to remind us: PARK/TAKE/LOCK.

PARK your car in a well-lighted area.
TAKE valuables OUT of the car.
LOCK your car--always.

Makes sense.

Criminals aren't right. They are wrong.

But, they are with us. Jerks.

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 6/28/13 8:18am
Msg #474983

Post does not say victim left wallet in car. n/m

Reply by jba/fl on 6/28/13 9:34am
Msg #474992

Second paragraph says something about leaving in car.... n/m

Reply by Shoshana/AZ on 6/28/13 3:30pm
Msg #475017

Re: Second paragraph says something about leaving in car....

"Lots of people getting robbed and their cars vandalized for their wallets. Sign of the times...here we are in the very day she is to sign refi docs, and ID is stolen the day before. Happening more and more as people come to me for live scan fingerprinting with only a temporary drivers license, which I cannot use."
Later on, Cheryl says it was stolen from her at Albertson's.

Reply by Darlin_AL on 6/27/13 4:13pm
Msg #474894

Re: Murphy's Law with car locked?

I leave my purse in the car when I go into the house for the signing, and lock the car. IF the car is on a public street, I put the purse on the floor where it might not be so noticeable. I just don't like hauling my purse in with my heavy tool bag. I understand wallets are lumpy for the guys. My hubby when into the VA hospital & left his convertible in their deck (top down) and forgot that his wallet was in the door pocket! They stole his handicap placquard....either did not see it, or...? Now he always goes with the top up & doors locked.

Reply by Karla/OR on 6/27/13 4:34pm
Msg #474898

Re: Murphy's Law with car locked?

I am one who locks her doors at home during the day, and close and lock my windows at night (my husband just shakes his head!!). I consider it being safe than sorry. We do have a very viscous sounding dog when strangers approach our front door. A nice deterrent.

My SUV has alarm system and tinted windows in the back seat and rear area. I drop my purse on the backseat floor area when going to a closing (or after to FEDEX or UPS) as it can NOT be seen through the windows. I lock my vehicle doors always, EVEN if I am in a nice neighborhood. However, I am always leery about EVER leaving my purse in the vehicle (an old school kind of thing).

Believing that crime is in EVERY zip code, I try to take as minimal care with my self and my purse. I watch my surroundings before exiting and entering my vehicle, and as mentioned, drop my purse on the back seat floor.

I feel the mistakes we make can only come back to bite us as that's the time a criminal will be there to take advantage of the situation.

Call it proactive or paranoid - having been in charge of court appointed cases in a law office for a year opened my eyes!!

Any useful tips other members can provide on their daily trips to closings, bank, FEDEX or UPS?

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/27/13 4:41pm
Msg #474901

I carry a small folding wallet with only what I need

debit cards, license, health ins card and one credit card. I don't need all the rest of the stuff and I never carry cash

That small wallet fits right in the pocket of my jeans, or in my blazer pocket - I almost never carry a pocketbook. On the rare occasion I do, it's locked in the trunk of my car if I'm going inside someplace - but my wallet is in my pocket.

Yes, anyone leaving purses and wallets on seats, under seats, etc etc are asking for trouble - it's an open invitation to break into the vehicle. In fact, even "fixtures" like cell phone holders and such are open invitations to break in. Vehicles are prime targets for theft - why would anyone leave a purse or wallet in one?

JMO

Reply by jba/fl on 6/27/13 6:13pm
Msg #474910

Re: I carry a small folding wallet with only what I need

I also only carry only what I need, and I don't need a bulky purse. I have pockets in every pair of pants, dress or jacket I own, and that is where I keep my keys, phone, DL, CC and pepper spray. I use a rolling briefcase when working.

I do not want to be a victim again. It is precautions that we take, minimizing our profile of desirability however we can to reduce our exposure to the criminal element, which exists everywhere. It is wrong for criminals to do what they do, but, as the frog said to the scorpion who bit him while giving him a ride across the river, "Why did you do that?" and the scorpion replied, "It is my nature." The frog allowed himself to become a victim in this instance, much as a woman walking alone in deserted areas, or a person to leave things in their cars.

The police caution people all the time - day in and day out; it is a wise person who accepts that there is a reason for these cautionary tales.

I am perturbed that any of you think I am blaming the victim, though I really expect sourness from the one person. Let me ask this, rhetorically: what victim does not examine what went wrong and does not blame themselves for what happened? I would suggest that most play the blame game starting with themselves....the big "if I had done this" or "things would have been different if...."

Why give yourself the opportunity to be saying these things? Ted Bundy was a nice looking man - look where it got him - and his many victims. Some are just deranged or drugged up. Statistics prove that most crimes are crimes of opportunity.....don't be that opportunity.

As Cheryl said at the beginning of this thread: these are difficult times for many. People do odd things when faced with challenges they feel are unsurmountable.

Reply by pdl/cali on 6/27/13 7:49pm
Msg #474918

Re: I carry a small folding wallet with only what I need

I am one of those stupid people. 8 years ago, I left my purse on the floor of my cars back seat. I went into the gym , worked out for about an hour. Came outside to my busted window of my car. Purse gone!!! Needless to say, it was a hassle to handle all the calling and canceling. After that day.... I always keep my purse with me whever I go. I use a side purse, that wraps around my body, so my hands are free for my notary case.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 6/27/13 7:52pm
Msg #474920

Re: I carry a small folding wallet with only what I need

I too carry a very small folding "wallet", and if someone breaks into my car there's so little in there to take I'll probably be on the thugs list for years to come. I'm certainly not blaming the victim but I do wonder what folks are thinking sometimes. Another invitation that's remarkable to me: women who leave their purse in the grocery cart while they shop. I just want to shake them and ask "what are you thinking"!!! One sure way to make the bad guys stop and think is to give the appearance that you are very much aware of your surroundings, that you have everything under control and you're no "push over" even if you are.

Reply by 101livescan on 6/27/13 8:33pm
Msg #474928

While the client was paying, in cash for her groceries at Albertson's, someone lifted her wallet out of her handbag...could have been another grocery customer, could have been an employee of the store...the grocery store manager said nothing was visible on the security cameras. She is the second one I've heard of this month having their wallet stolen at Albertsons grocery store while they were checking out.

BEWARE!I just go in with my ATM card. Don't take my handbag in with me.

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/27/13 8:44pm
Msg #474939

In addition to hands free with the cell phone...I've been going purse-free and carrying just the essentials: card case, money, lip gloss and phone.

I cannot believe how many folks fumble with a cellphone and do not utilize a bluetooth earpiece so they are hands free of a phone...while just walking around.

Reply by jba/fl on 6/27/13 8:51pm
Msg #474942

I began to go purse-free when I thought about someone snatching my purse and me being pushed or falling to the ground. Things break more easily as we age - even a broken toe is a huge inconvenience, can't imagine arm, shoulder, collarbone, or hip.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/27/13 8:57pm
Msg #474944

I always use a bluetooth earpiece, too. I get plenty of razzing about the permanent growth coming out of my ear, but I like being hands free. I'm nearly always doing something else while talking on the phone - even if it's checking email, taking notes or entering an appointment into my schedule.

I'm also one of those who take my purse with me everywhere, but I'm going to be more careful in the grocery store from now on, and make sure it's zipped up!

Reply by jba/fl on 6/27/13 9:09pm
Msg #474948

Tip: once you get into the grocery store and are shopping, you don't usually need your purse until time to pay, right? Put your purse in the bottom of the cart, pile groceries around the purse and on top of it. When you get to the check-out, you unload and there's the purse - ready to pay. Grocery store theft is opportunity - thief is not going to take the time to dig through your cart in the hopes that s/he will find something.

Don't leave your purse hanging on the back of a chair in a restaurant, bar, etc. Thief will just take the whole purse as they walk by, discarding at the first possible moment what isn't wanted.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/27/13 9:21pm
Msg #474951

When my husband was in the hospital recently, I was running back and forth around Jacksonville and was told by staff to be very careful. I carried a purse because I had stuff I needed to get me through days sitting in ICU/CCU - it was a purse or a plastic bag. However, even with the purse, my keys and wallet were in my pocket. If anyone wanted to grab my purse they were getting nothing I couldn't replace - they wouldn't get my credit cards, my license OR the keys to my car.

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/27/13 10:02pm
Msg #474959

May I suggest an *obvious* book/tote bag. Would be terrible if you were mugged for what the crook *thought* they were getting (a purse with wallet), only to get nothing but a purse with some magazines, a nectarine, a bottle of water, and hand lotion. And now you got mugged essentially for nothing. Just sayin'......

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/28/13 7:09am
Msg #474980

I see what you're saying Lisa...but

time did not allow me to go out and buy a book/tote bag - I already had a purse at hand that would suffice...and why spend the money if not needed? Other than this occasion (the longest 7 days of my life) I haven't used a purse in 7 years.

And you'd be surprised how many people carry wallets and valuables in a tote bag around here. The wallet and keys and cell phone would have still been in my pockets...

JMO

Reply by Karla/OR on 6/27/13 9:54pm
Msg #474957

My mode as well! n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 6/27/13 10:22pm
Msg #474961

O'Tooles Observation: Murphy was an optimist. n/m

Reply by GOLDGIRL/CA on 6/27/13 11:48pm
Msg #474968

I'm scared to leave my house! Here's a hair-raising story:

The hair salon where I used to go put out a big sign telling customers to hold on tight to their purses cos theives would charge through the front door, grab all the purses the ladies had set on the floor by their chairs or in the chair next to them and then take off in a nearby waiting car before anybody knew what happened!

Reply by 101livescan on 6/28/13 9:43am
Msg #474994

Re: I'm scared to leave my house! Here's a hair-raising story:

That's all I need to hear! Think I'll start cutting my own hair! (right!). I actually go to a small salon near my home at 7am and out by 8:30am before the thieves rev up their vehicles. I only carry my ATM card in with me and lock the car, which is alarmed...but it can happen any where, any time.

We can no longer live freely and comfortably in our own communities. Got to be on the watch all the time.