Help and advice after a robbery please

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   wildernessposted 9 years ago

   My son and family were burgled last night, with the thief taking their smartphones (from the bedside table as they slept!), both wallets and a PS3.  One SS card was in one of the wallets.  They have:
   
   Closed all bank accounts (except two, in banks not open today)
   Canceled all credit and debit cards
   Changed passwords on Amazon, Netflix, email and facebook
   Notified employers
   Left phone service active; one phone has an app that will immediately reset to factory when turned on and notified the carrier to track both of them if the phones are turned on.
   Notified credit bureaus and locked their credit.
   Obtained identity theft protection for the one not already carrying it.
   They expect to have a home security system installed within ASAP.
   
   Any suggestions as to what else they might do to protect themselves?  Police was notified and visited, getting fingerprints (which will be compared to local files in a month).
   
   Any additional thoughts would be highly appreciated.  Needless to say they are an emotional wreck - knowing a thief stood over them while asleep is not a comforting thought - and we've all wracked our brains dry.

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   1. 84

      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      My heart goes out to your son and all of the family. That is a traumatic event. I am sure feelings of vulnerability are prevalent. So, a priority may be assuring the children of their safety, heart to heart discussions with them, and as you are doing strong support. Depending on the children's age maybe each night do a walk assuring things are secure together as a family. That may help with discovering their feelings too and then they can be addressed.
      
      I don't know what to suggest regarding preemptive measurements other than what has been done. I would research 'good' identity theft sites for their recommendations. A consideration would be to walk the perimeter seeking additional methods for securing entry ways. Here we have track windows and sliding doors. So, we use stout large diameter dowels in the tracks.

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      1. 76

         wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I like taking the kids for a walk-around.  Two younger ones (5 and 7) seemed more excited, but 12 year old girl (one was gone for the night) does understand and was disturbed by the implications.  A good thought - thanks.
         
         We used the same kind of dowel when we had sliding doors.  They haven't (and that was the access point) - I'll mention that to them.

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2. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 9 years ago

   Sorry to hear they were robbed.  That's not a fun feeling.
   
   You might ask if any of the neighbors have cameras to see if anyone caught anything on film.  Many years ago the HubPages office would get robbed from time to time and once we caught them on camera:)

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   1. 76

      wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Already done Paul. Thank you though.

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         Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Yikes, wilderness.
         I guess they don't have a big 'ol bad dog barking his head off. I have two little bad 'ol dogs. Thank goodness for them.

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         1. 76

            wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Nope.  Just 4 kids asleep upstairs.

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            1. 78

               colorfuloneposted 9 years agoin reply to this

               I am so glad the kids and parents were not harmed, wilderness.  Truly do hope that the robbers will be caught. That is horrifying.

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               1. 76

                  wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  I'm not going to hold my breath.  The cops were nice, understanding and took fingerprints.  Which may be looked at in about a month and only in the county database.  A simply robbery, maybe $1,000 worth stolen, doesn't rate very high on the radar.

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                  1. 78

                     colorfuloneposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                     I once came home using the back door (a rental house) and found the front door open and screen door unlocked.  That alone threw me into a state of high agitation.  I know who rented the house before me but couldn't prove a thing.  Fact is the locks were not changed by the owners after that renter. I always lock the doors when I leave home.  Someone had a key.  Lesson learned.

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3. 75

   DzyMsLizzyposted 9 years ago

   Oh, man, that is way scary!  I'm so sorry that happened to them.
   
   It sounds as if pretty much all that could be done has been done...except one thing:  Were any keys taken?  You might need to change locks on house and cars..

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   1. 76

      wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Don't think so, but I'll bring it up.  Both parents have a key ring with car keys and still do.  Still, they must have spare house keys somewhere and I don't know if they've checked for that.  Thanks, Dzy!

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4. 61

   popcornographyposted 9 years ago

   This is scary! And I understand what your family must be going through because my laptops were stolen last year - just five feet away from me. The thought of loss is overshadowed by the thought of a stranger being in the room. Hope the robbers get caught.

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5. 60

   God shetposted 9 years ago

   Don't want to pull one's leg after it has got injured. Sorry to hear that (you and) your family encountered such an unfortunate event. But sometimes it brings a certain peace that the perpetrator(s) of an evil act - that is done in this world - sooner or later - pays for it.
   
   the mode of payment is multifarious
   
   
   
   ..that said, I don't have the evidence that proves that it's true.

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   1. 76

      wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks God shet.  And yes, I find that there generally is a price to pay for committing such acts.  Karma, turn about - call it what you will but there is a price to be paid.
      
      What's really sad about it is that even when possessions are replaced it won't end.  Mom and Dad got almost no sleep last night, and the kids refused to sleep in their rooms, huddling together in a play room instead.  Some of what was stolen was monetarily worthless and will be trashed but carried considerable emotional value and is irreplaceable.  A security system is being installed, meaning monthly payments forever. 
      
      It doesn't end clean, not for the victims.  I met them this morning in a nearby town with $100 so they could get duplicate driver licenses (all bank accounts are closed and they depend on plastic for everything).  They'll take a day off work to straighten things out now but there will be hours more.  I worry about when the kids stay at our house again - will they have trouble sleeping?  It'll take a long time for it all to wear off.

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         brakel2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I am so sorry Wilderness, What a scary feeling, and memories linger on. We have been robbed, and you feel so violated. They say it is often someone you know which happened in our case. We found our stolen stuff in a flea market, so you might have them check that out. The cop told us to do that, and the thief turned out to be our son's friend. Cops often give good tips.  Our best to that family and prayers are on the way. Our best to you also, as it affects everyone.

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         God shetposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         One good thing is that you are not exaggerating things. Often people, who are too religiously involved, get carried away after such an event. You stand in a striking contrast - and there is a certain tone of positivity about it.
         
         I need to mention this because it has a practical value: if one can see the 'damage that has been done' - cleary - it would be easier for them to try to remedy that, and take precautions so that it never happens again. Having negative feelings and being sentimental doesn't necessarily help.
         
         
         We have had many discussions in the past. Battles even! But I must say that the way I perceived 'atheism' - was not adequate. There are particular reasons that some people feel attracted to it. And atheism (in the sense that it's something fluid, like other forms of human spirituality) has its own 'right' to stand in such a complex world as this ours.

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