The Village Watch
"The Official Website of the Old Hickory Village Neighborhood Watch"
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only and does not constitute legal advice!
Recent News

Phishing Scams (click here for pdf)
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2010 Census Cautions

Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be
cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of
the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households
across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in
the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including
name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is - how do you tell the difference
between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a
Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their
badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know
into your home.

** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give
your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they
need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such
as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will
employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However,
they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census
Bureau.

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New Crime Stoppers Website
Chief Ronal Serpas and the Board of Directors of Nashville Crime Stoppers today
announced two new ways for citizens to anonymously report information
concerning wanted persons and criminal activity.

Effective immediately, persons can reach Crime Stoppers by texting the word
CASH along with their message to CRIMES (274637).  An automated system will
immediately reply to the sender with a unique Tip ID, which can be used to report
additional information or inquire about a reward, which, in the discretion of the
Crime Stoppers Board, can total up to $1,000.

“I am very excited about this new capability because it makes the police department
and Crime Stoppers more accessible to a younger generation of citizens who have
made cell phone texting part of their daily routines,” Chief Serpas said.  “Texting is
fast, immediate, and an easy way to provide the police department with vital
information on a criminal case or even about a gun in a school.”

Persons with crime or criminal suspect information can now also report it
anonymously through Nashville Crime Stoppers’ new Internet site,
www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com.  The web site is maintained by the Crime
Stoppers Board and is not hosted by the Metropolitan Government.  Anonymity of
a tipster is guaranteed through the texting and Internet reporting methods, just as it
has been for the past 26 years through the special 74-CRIME telephone line.  
Callers are still welcome to dial 74-CRIME, which is answered 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.  Spanish speaking operators are also available.

“The Crime Stoppers Board strongly believes that our new texting and Internet
services will make Nashville even safer by empowering the police department with
critical information on the identities of dangerous felons and serious crimes,” said
Mike Overcast, Nashville Crime Stoppers President and Director of Security
Operations for SunTrust Bank.  

“Crime Stoppers has been an important asset to our community for more than a
quarter century,” Overcast said.  “Tips to our phone line have resulted in the
clearance of 7,656 cases and the payout of $481,025 in reward money.  This
program works and will now be even more effective.”