This Month is Child Abuse Awareness Month.  White County and the White County Sheriffs Department are committed to fighting Child Abuse diligently.  White County had over 600 case of reported Child Abuse in 2006.  The community needs to understand what is important about that number:

 

•       The White County Sheriffs Department, Sparta Police Department, and The Department of Children services investigated these cases, multiple officers and DCS staff spent time and effort on each.

•       We must remember the bravery of those who reported and were victimized, and the relief when a case was unfounded and a child had went unharmed

•       How much abuse wasn’t reported!

 

The forms of abuse in White County committed against children are physical abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse.  The Department gets assistance from many places, Schools, concerned citizens, and family, we hope continually that brave souls will continue to help in the fight, prosecution, and incarceration of child abusers in White County.  We hope the community will continue to support this effort and Pray for the Children of White County.  If you have any information on Child Abuse please cal the DCS Hot Line  1-877-237-0004 or please call the White County Sheriffs Department 931-836-2700 your name will be protected. 

 

Here in White County, Law Enforcement has seen an increase in Id Theft and Fraud, Internet Scams, Mail Fraud and Forged Checks.  A lot of these scams target the elderly and lower income individuals whom can not bear the burden of financial missteps or they are unaware of current trends in financial crimes.  These criminal’s take advantage of people who need or can be fooled into believing a financial windfall is coming their way.

 

So what can a person do to protect themselves against these sorts of crimes? 

•       Protect your personal information. Do not give it out on the phone, internet or through unprotected channels.

•       Report, save and collect all info when approached by suspected scams. Hang onto all e-mails, letters, names and phone numbers.  If you happen to receive a check or money order, check with your bank or local Law Enforcement it’s probably fraudulent. Remember report it to Law Enforcement. 

•       If it’s too good to be true, it is.  Remember if you did not enter a sweepstake you can’t win one.  Another clue is if you win money, why should you send them your money to get it.  Be suspicious of any International Sweepstakes or offers.

 

Ebay, Local Sales on the internet has become a lucrative and popular way to sell your belongings.  It is also a breeding ground for scam artists.  Beware of buyers whom send more money then the asking price for the item for sale and ask for the overage to be sent to them.  The check is probably a forged one, and here is the important point, if you pass a forged instrument you could be held civilly and legally responsible.  Most if not all the banks in our area will tell you if the check is fraudulent. Also, be cautious of buyers from outside of the U.S.

 

The FBI has set up a reporting system on their website; if you have internet availability please go to www.fbi.gov and look at the left hand side of the site and click on Report Internet Crime, and fill out the complaint, our local agents have urged Law Enforcement to direct victims to this site.   

 

Please remember the White County Sheriffs Department and their Investigation staff is here to answer and help with all its citizens’ problems and questions.  Thank you in advance for your continued support

 

Detective Chris Isom W.C.S.D.

 

*Write down and save all serial numbers for your property.

*Etch or write your name, initials or other identifier on items without serial      numbers.

*Photograph or video tape all belongings. This will also help with insurance

  claims.