Home Chief's Message Staff Directory Employment Services Safety Photo Gallery Community Resources AnnouncementsBig Red Barrel ProjectGreen Oak Township Police Department Badge
  • Internet Safety
  • Kids Safety
  • Firearms Safety
  • Traffic Safety

Internet Safety

The number of Identity Theft and Internet related crimes continues to grow each year. There are several precautions you can take to protect yourself and your identity. If you know or believe that you have been a victim of Identity Theft or an Internet crime the information below will assist you intaking the appropriate action in filing a police report.

Basic Tips for Safe Computer & Internet Use:

Do business only with companies and websites that you know and trust. Avoid doing business with a company located in another country unless you have prior positive dealings or are able to verify a good business history. Investigating disputes or attempting criminal prosecution is very difficult when crossing state or country borders.

Always know the terms and conditions of any services or product offer. The Federal Telephone and Mail Order Rule requires delivery of promised goods within 30 days. NEVER provide credit card numbers, bank accounts numbers, or your social security number unless your are certain that you trust the company. A criminal only needs partial information in most cases to steal your identity and possibly cause serious financial problems for you.

Using a credit card whenever possible is a good way to protect yourself from fraud. It will is much easier to dispute a charge when paid by a credit card and most credit card companies offer a greater deal of personal protection than if you pay by check or money order. Most legitimate companies will accept credit cards as well as provide a receipt of the transaction.

Additional Internet Safety Tips

  • Secure Encryption Technology will provide a safer means of paying online. Look for an "s" at the end of "http://", such as "https://...."
  • Be careful about who you are talking to online. Many times an online user is not who they represent themselves to be! If you receive an email containing an attachment, image or other type of file from an email address or person you are not familiar with, DO NOT open the file. Report unsolicited email (also called "spamming") to your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
  • Never share account IDs and Passwords.
  • When creating screen names, do not use personal information like as birthdays, interests, hometown or school.
  • Never give any personal information about yourself or someone else through email or chat websites.
  • Don't share photos of yourself, your family, or your home with people you meet online.
  • If you receive threatening, harassing or intimidating emails or messages online, don't respond. If the activity continues consider reporting it to us.
  • Nothing you write on the Web is completely private. Be careful what you write and to whom.
  • Never make plans to meet someone you have met online in person.

If you are the victim of Identity Theft or an Internet Crime:

Identity Theft and Internet crimes by nature are very complex investigations. Often these investigations take months and are investigated by multiple agencies. As part of our commitment to the community we will do everything within our power to bring criminal prosecution to these "invisible criminals."

If you are a resident of Green Oak Township you may call 9-1-1 to file a complaint with a police officer. The investigation officer may also ask you to to file your complaint online with the F.B.I.'s National White Collar Crime Center's Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) and the Michigan Department of Attorney General's High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU).

If you believe you are a victim of an internet crime, email fraud or email stalking, or a victim of Identity Theft we encourage you to file a formal complaint by calling 911 and speaking with an officer.

Important Telephone Numbers:

Police Dispatch

Emergency - 911

Non-Emergency - 517.546.9111

Green Oak Police Department

810.231.9626

810.231.9627 (fax)

Green Oak Fire Department

810.231.3663

810.231.4488 (fax)

Green Oak Township Offices

810.231.1333

810.231.5080

53rd District Court

Criminal - 517.548.1000 ext. 7642

Traffic - 517.548.1000 ext. 7646

44th Circuit Court

517.546.8079

Livingston County Animal Control

517.546.2154

MDOT

517.373.2090

Livingston County Road Comission

517.546.4250

Copyright 2016 | All Rights Reserved | www.greenoakpolice.com

Facebook