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Edgewood
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TIPS & SCAMS
UPDATED 5-20-01
ECSTASY
(MDMA) is becoming very popular
with teenagers. Currently the consumer age is 12-25 years. This
drug is classified as a
Hallucinogenic Amphetamine, which is usually sold as small tablets that
come in a variety of colors.
This drug has caused several deaths across the country but more commonly causes severe brain, heart and liver damage. Several people have been hospitalized after taking ECSTASY because their brains didn’t realize they were "Hot" and didn’t kick in the natural reflexes that would normally occur in the body. Unfortunately, most of these kids literally cooked their brains by overheating and may never be able to walk and talk again.
Those who "Cook" the drug have begun adding "Fillers" to increase the weight and amount of the drug but are not concerned with the side effects they may have. It is reported that some "Cooks" have used sugar, salt, baking powder, and even TOILET CLEANSER to increase the amount of the drug by weight. These unknown additives only increase the hazard of disability or death from the use of ECSTASY.
More information can be obtained from the Department Of Justice web site at:
MONEY SCAMS are continuing throughout the City of Edgewood, Pierce County, and in fact across the country, relating to people who claim the letter receiver has won a sizeable amount of money but needs a cash payment of taxes prior to releasing the funds.
NEVER provide your bank account number or credit card number to anyone who you do not know for a fact is legitimate business representative.
IDENTITY THEFT is of major importance to us all. With the increased abilities of the internet, we also have witnesses an increase in those wishing to exploit it for personal gain.
The best way to prevent Identity theft is to keep your credit card, bank, and loan accounts private. Shred any unwanted credit card applications as well as old bills. You may also want to speak with your local postal carrier regarding the installation of a locking mail box. Mail theft often leads to identity theft!
If you are the victim of identity theft, report it to the police, then contact the three major credit bureaus and have a "Fraud Alert" placed on your account. Contact your bank and credit card companies as well to inform them of your problem as early as possible.
For more information on identity theft click on: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
VEHICLE PROWLS are on the rise. The majority of these have involved items being left in plain view. To protect yourself and your property please secure valuables in the vehicle trunk, out of sight or better yet, take them into your house or workplace with you. A thin sheet of glass is only a small obstacle for those who want to steal.
LANDSCAPERS begin crawling out of the woodwork this time of year. If you need landscaping or lawn care, please ask for and check references as well as business licenses of those offering to do the work.
REMEMBER, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably IS!
Additionally, companies don’t usually, "Just happen to have extra cement/ blacktop" or other supplies to sell at dirt cheap prices. Again, if it sounds too good to be true….