The Village of Pinehurst has been voted the safest community in North Carolina several times and this is due to the proactive nature of our department and our residents.

It does not matter what environment or community you live in, criminals are impervious to social and economic boundaries.

Car Break-Ins

• Remove all valuables from your car. Don’t leave valuables visible.
• Close the windows and lock your doors every time you get out.
• Park in well-lighted areas and don’t park near shrubs or fences that could provide concealment for criminals.
• Keep your driveway and yard lit up all night. It’s harder for criminals to hide in the light.
• Don’t keep spare keys inside the car.
• Lock your shopping packages in the trunk.
• Use heavy duty locks for truck toolboxes and secure the toolbox to the bed of the truck.
• Be observant. Notify the police if you see anyone acting in a suspicious manner such as loitering around cars or looking into cars.
• Always trust your instincts and gut feelings – if you sense something is odd, it probably is. Call and get the next available officer sent to your area.

Home Safety

• Close and lock all doors even when leaving for a short period of time. This includes garages and connecting doors.
• Use automatic timers to cut lights on and off if you are gone for an extended time.
• Illuminate the yard, especially doorways and the rear of the house.
• Trim trees and shrubs around the house. These provide concealment for burglars.
• Install good locks on doors and windows and USE THEM. Don’t hide keys in mailboxes and planters or under doormats. Instead, leave an extra set of keys with a trusted neighbor or friend.
• Use deadbolt locks that require a key from either side (double cylinder).
• Be sure your street address number is large, in clear view and well-lit so police and other emergency personnel can find your home quickly.
• Keep ladders, tools, and lawn furniture locked up. Burglars commonly use these to gain entry to houses.
• Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains break easily and don’t keep out intruders.
• The mere perception of alarms and dogs are the #1 and #2 deterrents to burglars.
• Use alarm systems if financially able. Simple window alarms can be purchased at most home improvement stores for less than $20.
• Write down your serial numbers and keep up with them.
• Inscribe your driver’s license or NC ID number on all your belongings.
• Implement and be an active member of a neighborhood watch program.
• If you arrive home and something looks questionable (ex. a slit screen, broken window, open door etc.) DON’T GO IN. Call the police from a neighbor’s house or other phone.
• Ask for photo ID from service or delivery people before letting them in. If you are the least bit worried, call the company to verify.
• Have neighbors or family pick up mail if you are going to be gone for a few days.
• The installation of surveillance cameras and/or Ring doorbell cameras aids our investigations. Additionally, having them online so access can be granted to law enforcement assist us in solving and preventing crimes. If you have an alarm, please post a sign in your yard or place a sticker on your windows in a visible place.

Business Safety Tips

• Update emergency contact information with your alarm company and the 911 Communications Center.
• Post police and emergency telephone numbers in a conspicuous location so they will be readily available during an emergency.
• Make sure exterior doors are locked when you or your employees leave at night.
• Open cash register drawers and remove monies from the business overnight. Leave empty cash drawers visible.
• Report any suspicious activity or persons to the police immediately. Do not wait.
• Get the best description possible of the suspect(s) or any vehicle involved. Timely reporting of this information is critical.
• Consider investing in a quality surveillance system with recording capability. This may also benefit your business regarding insurance.

Fraud/Scams

The Golden Rules for Fraud/Scam protection

• Slow it down: Scammers create a sense of urgency to make you act before you think.  Common threats are outstanding warrants, outstanding fines, unpaid tolls, vehicle repossessions, driver’s license/vehicle registration suspension, job termination& utility cutoffs just to name a few.
• Spot check: Do your own research to double-check the details you're being told.  Don’t be afraid to hang  up and call the number you personally have on file for the person/business or one that is found on an official website.  DO NOT trust the number or email address as those can be spoofed!
• Stop! Don't send: If someone you don’t know (or a suspicious "friend") asks for a specific payment method like a gift card or wire transfer, it’s a scam.  Also, government entities and businesses do not take gift cards as forms of payment. Also, never give out PIN or registration numbers from a gift card or verification code sent to you phone to someone you don’t know.
• No Contact: If the email or person on the phone tells you not to contact the police, anyone else or they want to stay on the phone with  you to tell  you what to say to people, hang up it’s a scam.

Common "Asking for Money" Scenarios

Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to trick you into sending funds. Watch out for these common scripts:

• The Government Impersonator: Claims to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or local police threatening you with arrest, deportation, or a lawsuit if you don't pay a "fine" immediately.
• The Family Emergency: A caller pretends to be a relative (or their lawyer/doctor) in immediate trouble or they claim they have been arrested or injured and need money for bail or medical bills.
• The Tech Support Pop-Up: A message appears on your computer saying it is infected with a virus.  You are told to call a number and pay for "repairs" or "security software."
• The Romance Scam: An online love interest you’ve never met in person suddenly has a crisis.  They ask for money for a plane ticket, a medical emergency, or a business "opportunity."
• The Overpayment Trap: Someone sends you a check for more than they owe you. They ask you to deposit it and "refund" the extra money via wire transfer or gift card. (The original check will eventually bounce).

Red Flags: How They Ask You to Pay

Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never ask for payment via these methods:

• Gift Cards: Asking you to buy cards and give the numbers over the phone or in a picture through text/email.
• Wire Transfers: Using services like Western Union or MoneyGram.
• Cryptocurrency: Demanding payment through a Bitcoin ATM.
• Payment Apps: Insisting on Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp for "official" business.

You can visit the United States Secret Service for more information.