
Personal Safety
The Rexburg Police Department and the Madison Fire Department are dedicated to our community's safety. When it comes to personal safety, there are a few things you can keep in mind in today's climate to ensure you are protected.
Cyber/Internet Security
Cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system. Cyberattacks can lead to the loss of money or the theft of personal, financial, and/or medical information. These attacks can damage your reputation and safety. Cybersecurity involves preventing, detecting, and responding to cyberattacks that can have wide-ranging effects on individuals, organizations, the community, and the nation.
Cybersecurity: Prepare yourself in the event of a Cyberattack
Common Fraud Claims & Scams | Phishing & Smishing
The Rexburg Police Department and other local agencies are constantly being made aware of false claims and scams effecting our local residents. Often these claims come in the form of a text message, email, or social media contact. Please be aware, THE CITY OF REXBURG AND ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES [INCLUDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT] WILL NEVER CONTACT YOU WITH A THREAT OF ARREST OR OTHER PENAL ACTION as a result of an action on your part, such as failing to appear for jury duty or not paying a bill on time. If you receive such a threat, notify the Rexburg Police Department immediately and NEVER click the link or send payment from someone you have not confirmed the identity of.
Common scams may look like:
"Package Can't be Delivered" scam. This scam typically comes in the form of a text telling you that you have a package meant for you that couldn't be delivered to your address and will ask you to click a link to enter your correct address. DON'T CLICK that link! If you do, you're likely exposing yourself to identity and monetary theft. Delete the text message and report it as junk if you are able. If you are concerned about a package you happen to be waiting for at the time, contact the delivery agency or the business of sales origin.
"Account Subscription" scam: This will typically come in the form of an email or text message indicating that your subscription was automatically renewed and includes a link asking you to verify your account to make any changes. Often, this will be for a common name subscription (such as Netflix or YouTube) that you don't have. If a link is included, DON'T CLICK that link! Report it as spam and delete any messages about auto-renewals claiming to be from a company where you don’t have a subscription.
"Phantom Hacker" scam: These scammers will contact you stating "you have been hacked" to try to gain access to your computer system so they can, themselves, steal your information. Sometimes they pose as local law enforcement or other official agencies to gain your trust. Government entities and legitimate businesses will NEVER send unsolicited messages to ask for access to your computer. DON'T CLICK that link! Report the email as spam an unsubscribe from future contact, OR delete the text message and report it as junk. If you receive a phone call of this type of scam, report the phone number to the police department.
Learn more about these scams from the U.S. Department of Justice
Some ways you can protect yourself:
Before opening an email or clicking a link within a message of any sort, be sure to check for discrepancies in the email address.
Larger corporations like Apple or Google will never have an off-name domain in the email (after the @ symbol)
They will always look like example@apple.com OR example@rexburg.org OR example@idaho.gov
When in doubt, throw it out.
If you are concerned about the source of the information, contact the official source directly, not through any information provided in the message.
Resources:
Credit & Identity Theft
"Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal or financial information without your permission. It can damage your credit status and cost you time and money." - USA.gov
How Identity Theft Happens:
Someone uses a scanner or reader on your unprotected charge cards to gather your information.
Someone gathers information from your personal document(s) that they have gained access to.
Skimmers can be installed on fuel pumps, ATMs, and cash registers to steal information from you.
Personal information can be hacked when you use an open/public Wi-Fi network.
Information can be gathered from your social media accounts including posts, photos, online quizzes, comments to public posts and more.
Some ways you can protect yourself:
Shred any documents that have personal information like bills, old credit cards, old plane tickets, etc.
Collect your mail every day - do not leave mail sitting in your mailbox for an extended time.
If you are going out of town for a while, place a hold on your mail through the post office.
Only use Wi-Fi on trusted and secure networks; the ones with passwords are the best.
Ensure that your wallet or card-carrying case is RFID-protected.
INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY:
Read privacy policies before agreeing to them.
Ensure that your phone number and email are not public on your social media and other personal accounts.
Set your profiles to private access, so they can only be seen by those in your contacts and/or friends list.
Never post photos or messages that allow strangers to identify your exact home address, including house numbers and or street names.
Avoid answering questions on social media from unknown pages. Even simple survey answers can be misconstrued and altered in the future.
Always be wary and skeptical of strangers online.
Be careful accepting "friend requests" from strangers.
Delete your browsing history once a month or more.
Use a current and actively maintained Anti-Virus software.
Monitor your children and elderly's activity and make them aware of potential hazards.
Be advised that many cases of trafficking are first initiated online.
Resources:
Attacks in Public Spaces
Take steps to prepare and protect yourself and help others in the event of a mass attack.
Types of Mass Attacks
Individuals using firearms to cause mass casualties (active shooter).
Individuals using a vehicle to cause mass casualties.
Individuals using homemade bombs to cause mass casualties.
Other methods used in mass attacks may include knives, fires, drones, or other weapons.
Surviving a Mass Attack:
Rape, Aggression, and Defense Safety
The Rexburg Police Department offers a course to women interested in maintaining their personal safety against attacks called R.A.D.: Rape Aggression Defense System. "The Cornerstone of R.A.D. Systems,...has its foundations in education and awareness. The course includes lecture, discussion, and self-defense techniques suitable for women of all ages and abilities. Classes range from a minimum of nine to twelve hours plus in length, depending on the Instructor."
Visit the Rexburg Police Department R.A.D. page to learn more and sign up.
Mental Health Crisis Emergencies
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
Visit the SAMSA page to Find Help
The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988 in the event of a mental health crisis for immediate help.
National Help Lines and Resources:
National HIV and AIDS Hotline: (800) 448-0440
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: (800) 422-4453
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
National Grad Crisis Line: (877) 472-3457
National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-4673
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988 or Chat online
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Options for Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
For TTY Users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988 or Chat online
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: (800) 662-4357
Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then PRESS 1, or Text 838255, or Chat online