Beware of Disaster Fraud and Scammers

Anytime a disaster happens, you can be sure that instances of fraud and scams will increase.  Below are some tips from the folks at FEMA to help you protect yourself as you recovery from Sandy!

• There is never a fee to apply for FEMA disaster assistance or to receive it. 
• There is no fee for FEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration property damage inspections. 
• The only ways to register for FEMA help are to call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Or visit m.fema.gov from a smartphone or Web-enabled device.
• Government workers will never ask for a fee or payment. They wear a photo ID. Watch out for middle men who promise you will receive money, especially if they ask for an up-front payment.
• Get three written estimates for repair work. Then check credentials and contact your local Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce to learn about any complaints against the contractor or business.
• Before work begins, make sure you get a written contract detailing all the work to be performed, the costs, a projected completion date, and how to negotiate changes and settle disputes. 
• Make sure the contract clearly states who will obtain the necessary permits. Consider having a lawyer review the contract if substantial costs are involved. Keep a copy of the signed contract. 
• If the contractor provides any guarantees, they should be written into the contract clearly, stating what is guaranteed, who is responsible for the guarantee and how long the guarantee is valid. 
• Pay only by check or a credit card. A reasonable down payment may be required to buy materials for some projects, but don't pay anything without a signed contract. 

Cumberland County DPS is here to help you as you recovery from any damage that resulted from Sandy.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. 

County Departments Close

October 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Cumberland County Commissioners’ Office

                        717.2470.6150

Cumberland County Closes Offices

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has announced that the Cumberland County Departments will be closing at noon and will remain closed tomorrow.  Commissioners will meet at 2:00 pm today as scheduled for a brief meeting, after which the Courthouse will be officially closed.

Cumberland County is experiencing flooding and high winds associated with “Sandy.”  Stay tuned to media reports for continued weather and flooding updates as well as other emergency information.  Cumberland County Department of Public Safety will also be posting updates via Facebook (www.facebook.com/cumberlandcountydps) and Twitter (ccpa_net_dps911).

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Cumberland County Commissioners Declare Disaster Emergency

October 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                        717.218.2804

Cumberland County Declares Disaster Emergency As “Sandy” Moves Through Pennsylvania

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners has signed a Disaster Emergency Declaration for Cumberland County.  This declaration is pursuant to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code.  

This declaration authorizes the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety to take all appropriate actions needed to effectively mitigate and respond to the current disaster situation.  This declaration also allows Cumberland County officials to purchase needed supplies, employ temporary workers and enter into contracts and agreements with vendors without the “time- consuming procedures and formalities normally prescribed by law.” 

Cumberland County is experiencing flooding and high winds associated with “Sandy.”  Stay tuned to media reports for continued weather and flooding updates as well as other emergency information.  Cumberland County Department of Public Safety will also be posting updates via Facebook (www.facebook.com/cumberlandcountydps) and Twitter (ccpa_net_dps911).

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Preparing for Sandy

October 26, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                        717.729.7019

Cumberland County Emergency Management Officials Urge Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Sandy

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– The Cumberland County Department of Public Safety (DPS) is urging residents to take time this weekend to prepare for Hurricane Sandy.  While forecasters are still uncertain of Sandy’s path or impact, the potential exists for Cumberland County to see large amounts of rain and high winds. 

If this storm tracks into Central Pennsylvania, widespread utility outages are possible.  Area utility companies are already busy preparing for potential outages and have auxiliary crews on standby ready to respond.  Residents should take the time before the storm to prepare for these outages by stocking their disaster supply kits with items including but not limited to flashlights, water, non-perishable foods, prescription medications, blankets and spare batteries. 

The threat of flooding exists with this storm, so residents are also urged to avoid traveling through flooded areas and have an evacuation plan in place if they live in a flood prone area.  DPS staff is preparing for this event and will be providing important updates and safety tips to residents.  For more information visit www.ccpa.net, www.twitter.com/ccpa_net_dps911, or www.facebook.com/CumberlandCountyDPS.

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Cyber Predators

This week, as part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, our staff had the opportunity to sit down with Senior Supervisory Special Agent (SSSA) Craig LeCadre from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and talk about Cyber Crime.  SSSA LeCadre has 24 years of law enforcement experience, starting out with the Harrisburg Police Department, and then transitioning to the Office of the Attorney General.  SSSA LeCadre’s primary focus is education and outreach and we are so very thankful to him for the great information he provided us!  He gave us some great data on cyber predators and we wanted to share it with you!    

What we learned about cyber predators…

-          Cyber/internet predators are an issue we face across Pennsylvania.  Currently the Office of the Attorney General has 8 agents and 2 attorneys that investigate individuals who target children online for victimization.  In 2005 alone their office arrested 313 offenders and to date have a 100% conviction rate!

-          The laws governing internet activities cannot keep pace with changing technology, making the fight against cybercrime and cyber predators challenging.

-          Cyber predators find their young victims in chat-rooms, social networking sites, live audio/visual sites like Skype and through online gaming. 

-          Cyber predators will work to find out personal information through seemingly harmless conversations, imitates emotional status in hopes of befriending child and fabricates mutual interests.

-          These predators use the internet to seek out their victims because it allows them to be anonymous and assume fake identities (such as other children).  It gives them easy access to personal information that children may have posted on sites and offers geographic locations through “geo tagging” markers on pictures and posts. 

-          Most cyber predators are male, often married with children, professionals and in good standing in the community, usually involved in activities that provide access to children, possess above average intelligence, and highly motive to get access to their victims (will travel far).

-          Children targeted by cyber predators are typically, BUT NOT ALWAYS those who spend a large amount of time online, has more technical skills that parents, has few friends and poor interpersonal skills, may not spend much “quality” time with parents, posts pictures, videos or private info online, and lack parameters regarding internet use.  

How to protect our children from cyber predators…

-          Use internet filters to block inappropriate or adult websites

-          Limit texting/camera features on kids cell phones

-          Use internet tracking software to see where your kids are surfing

-          Place computer in a visible location in your home, that allows you to frequently view what your child is doing

-          Monitor and periodically check your child’s social networking page for inappropriate photos or info

-          Maintain an open dialogue with your children so that they would feel comfortable enough to share something important with you

-          Establish parameters for responsible use of technology

-          Educate kids on cyber predators and the dangers that exist

SSSA LeCadre shared some other great information with us that we hope to share with you over the next week, so stay tuned!

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 1, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Megan Silverstrim, Cumberland County

                            717.218.2900

Cumberland County Proclaims Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cumberland County, Pennsylvania– Cumberland County Board of Commissioner proclaimed October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month in the county during an evening meeting in Lower Allen Township.  This month will be dedicated to highlighting the importance of cybersecurity at home and the workplace. 

Cumberland County Information Management and Technology Office and Department of Public Safety will spend October focusing on educating county employees, residents and businesses on the importance of cybresecurity through a variety of programs.  Each week will focus on a different theme that will address a assortment of topics including  general cybersecurity, cyber-crime, workforce cyber education and much more! 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an initiative developed and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).   For more information on this DHS program visit www.dhs.gov.  For more information on Cumberland County’s cybersecurity efforts visit www.ccpa.net.

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PROCLAMATION

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 2012

WHEREAS, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of cyber safety and to encourage all Americans to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their information;

WHEREAS, every American has a stake in securing our networks and personal information against a multitude of potential threats and cyber incidents, such as unauthorized changes to hardware and software, social engineering, phishing, or unauthorized access to data that may result in extensive damage to cyber infrastructure, disruption in services, major security breaches, and may cause other adverse impacts upon the general population of Cumberland County;

WHEREAS, The Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign (www.stopthinkconnect.com) is a national effort coordinated by a coalition of private companies, non-profits and government organizations to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online;

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Cumberland County along with the Information Management and Technology Office, the Department of Public Safety and other Federal, State, County, and local officials participate in and support month-long Cybersecurity Awareness designed to raise awareness and the need to take protective actions to secure  information, networks and cyber infrastructure;

WHEREAS, in recognition of the need to adequately secure, call upon the people of Cumberland County to recognize the importance of securing and observe this month by participating in cybersecurity awareness events, activities, and programs at home and in the workplace;

NOW THEREFORE, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim October 2012 as CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.