Crime Fighters   This is a community service page with crime fighting tips for the benefit of retailers and consumers.   Learn how to detect counterfeit bills, how to prevent becoming a victim of the latest scams and identity theft, safeguard your valuables at home and in the office, be aware of missing children and fugitives.   If you know of other crime fighting web sites that may be of interest to retailers and consumers, e-mail the webmaster.

Ad Rates / Articles / Classified Ads / Editorial / Home / Links / Showtime   Our Community Service Page   Crime-fighting web sites Tens of thousands of North Americans mingle at Ontario antiques and collectibles shows, flea markets, antique stores and markets each year.   About 99.9% are law-abiding citizens participating in the ageless joy of the hunt, oblivious to any criminal intent, past or present. We dedicate our Community Service section to curbing the remainder.   Links on our Community Service page are to encourage retailers and shoppers to be more aware of the criminal element: the counterfeiters, fraud and scam artists, thieves, America's most wanted etc.   By getting involved, you could help curtail a counterfeit ring, assist in the capture of wanted criminals, put the cuffs on merchandise counterfeiters, help return an abducted child to his or her home.   Like John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted, says at the end of each episode: "You can make a difference."   Follow the links to sites that will help you, the retailer and consumer, be among those who make a difference.   A Wayback Times/Canada Post BULLETIN:: Retailers and sellers of antiques: Beware of money order overpayment scams.   Counterfeiting - Identifying bogus Canadian and U.S. bills RCMP - detecting counterfeit currency Detecting counterfeit Canadian bills is a daily challenge for retailers who don't have detection equipment in their stores, markets and show booths. The risks of being hoodwinked by counterfeiters are reduced considerably if you are familiar with the tell-tale signs.   Bank of Canada - resources for retailers The Bank of Canada's extensive official web site gives retailers access to online videos, web-based training programs and free printed materials aimed at helping you to "quickly, easily, and reliably identify genuine bank notes" and reduce the risk of being victimized.   United States Secret Service - counterfeit U.S. bills Most Canadian retailers have readily accepted American paper currency over the years and this year will not be an exception. You will be more aware of how to detect U.S. counterfeit bills after a visit to this extensive web site.   Fraud - Combatting credit card and debit card fraud Debit Card/Credit Card Fraud - A Crime Prevention Report This detailed report from the Niagara Regional Police Service provides numerous helpful tips for retailers and consumers, aimed at reducing credit and debit card fraud. With credit card fraud "criminals don't need the credit card itself, only the credit card numbers."   Break-ins - a fight-back police program for retailers Ontario Provincial Police - Operation Provident A Canada-wide, police-endorsed program for retailers vulnerable to break-ins at their stores and markets. Retailers receive a kit to engrave laptops and other valuables with sequential numbers to discourage thefts and to improve the odds of having recovered stolen valuables returned.   Tracking the criminals and the hunt for missing children America's Most Wanted - fighting crime since 1987 Host John Walsh and the producers of this successful Fox TV Saturday night crime fighting television series have often worked with Canadian authorities on U.S. and Canadian cases. Viewers on both sides of the border have helped nab more than 1,000 fugitives.   Amber Alerts - Missing children alerts, U.S. and Canada The AMBER Plan, created in 1996 following the kidnapping and murder in Texas of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, has been embraced in Ontario by police and government officials. Ontario cell hone users can now subscribe to an Amber Alert service and lottery terminals are in the program.   Return to top of page   This Is Livin' Publishing © 2008 581 8th Line West, RR1 Hastings, ON, K0L 1Y0 Phone/Fax: 705-696-1833   webmaster