no credit card offer

2008 February Newsletter Negaunee Police Department Chief Jay Frusti What’s Inside Credit Card Fraud Prevention How to prevent becoming a victim Handgun Information How to obtain a Permit to Purchase Helpful Contact Numbers #’s for City Offices & Departments Reminders from the Chief Credit Cards & Account #’s Things to remember to prevent from becoming a victim of fraud Always be careful to protect your credit card and deposit account numbers. This is especially true if a seller, such as account a telemarketer, contacts you. A telemarketer may suggest that you can expedite your purchase if you provide your you checking account number. This will allow the seller access to the funds in your account. There is no legitimate reason for a seller to require you to provide information about your deposit account. information If the seller tries to access your account electronically via a preauthorized electronic fund transfer, federal law requires your signature or other authentication on a written document authorizing the transfer. Typically, electronic document transfers are used for repetitive payments such as monthly insurance premiums or mortgage payments. insurance Contrary to popular belief, though, your signature may not be necessary in order for a person to draw money out of necessary your account. If you provide your account information, the previously mentioned seller could prepare a "demand previously draft" (sometimes called a sight draft) against your account. These drafts closely resemble checks and are These processed through the check clearing system, which handles millions of items daily. A demand draft will not bear millions your signature, but it will contain your name or account number, a statement that you authorized the draft, and probably will bear a statement that no signature is required. The seller can deposit the demand draft into its account The and the seller's bank, in turn, will present it to your bank for payment. Consumers have reported that their accounts have been accessed by unauthorized demand drafts or for larger by amounts than they authorized. Once you provide your account information to another person, you cannot control information how that person uses the information. An unscrupulous person could take all the money from your account. Even a could well-intentioned person could make an error that could leave you short of funds until the mistake can be corrected. wellshort So remember: A legitimate offer will not require you to accept it immediately. An offer that's only good until you hang up the phone immediately. likely is a scam, so resist high-pressure sales tactics that require you to choose right now. Take the time, before you highTake order goods and services by telephone, to find out as much as you can about the seller. you If a seller won't answer your questions or evades your questions, hang up. questions, Beware of offers that sound too good to be true—especially if they require you to provide your deposit account true— information. Using your credit card to purchase goods or services by telephone will limit your liability to $50 in the event the seller telephone attempts to defraud you. Don't give your checking account—or any other deposit account—information over the telephone to anyone account— account— you do not know. If you do give your deposit account number to a seller, the only way you can stop payment is to promptly contact your bank to request that it not pay the demand draft. Your bank will likely charge you a fee for stopping the payment. If you become the victim of a person who presents a fraudulent demand draft, notify your financial institution demand immediately. You may be asked to file a report with the police, similar to what you would do if you were reporting a forged check. Always check your deposit account statement to make sure that there are no unauthorized payments shown. there Report any unauthorized payments to your bank promptly. Gun Permits to Purchase Handguns only – does not apply to long guns The following information is for residents of the City of Negaunee only. Residents in the township must contact the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department for a permit to purchase. Whether you are obtaining your handgun from a licensed firearms dealer or an individual owner, if you wish to purchase a handgun and do not hold a concealed permit you will need to do the following: Come to the Negaunee Police Department with your picture identification (Michigan Driver’s License or ID Card bearing your current physical address). Complete a 15-question True/False test Submit to a Criminal History check Results of the criminal history check are received the following business day. Permits to purchase will not be issued until has been received and reviewed by the Chief of Police for any disqualifying arrests/convictions. The permit and procedure for completing the sale will be explained at the time you receive it. Helpful Contact Numbers City of Negaunee Police Department 475-4154 Chief Frusti: Extension 20 Sgt Ketola: Extension 22 Offc Salbert: Extension 19 Offc Wright: Extension 40 Offc Grasso: Extension 46 Offc Downs: Extension 47 Offc Aldrich: Extension 43 General Dept Messaging: Extension 10 City Manager 475-7400 Ext 11 City Clerk 475-7400 Ext 15 Treasurer/Utilities 475-7400 Ext 16 Library 475-7400 Ext 18 Dept of Public Works 475-9991 Reminders from the Chief The Overnight Parking Ban runs through April 30th and the ordinance is in effect whether it is snowing or not. Do not park on city streets, alleys, parking lots, etc between the hours of 1am and 6am or your vehicle will be ticketed. Call for free property checks if you are going on vacation Get your dog licensed – all 2007 licenses are now expired Be courteous when pushing/blowing snow and don’t push snow across roads Report things when they happen – don’t wait until the next day or later Use your head when driving on icy winter roads. Slow down and stay safe! The Negaunee Police Department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If our door is locked when you stop by, use the telephone in the yellow call box just inside our side entrance to request an officer meet with you at the station.