Our house was broken into yesterday. I'd like to prevent this from happening again. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 17, 2009 - 40 answers

My lovely bike was stolen from a pretty large apartment complex this weekend, most likely by a neighbor who shares our small courtyard. Other than moving out promptly, is there anything I can do to assuage my anger about this? [more inside]
posted by halogen on Sep 10, 2008 - 16 answers

is volvo liable for my car alarm not going off during a break in? [more inside]
posted by violetk on Aug 21, 2008 - 14 answers

Ex-criminal thinking of committing new crimes. [more inside]
posted by TooSlick on Aug 19, 2008 - 27 answers

How do I guard myself against purse snatchers? I've lived in the suburbs all my life, and am used to strolling down the sidewalk in oblivion, my purse strung loosely over my shoulder. Now, it looks like I will be moving to either the DC area or San Francisco for my job. For those of you that live in a big city, what tips and tricks do you use to protect your belongings? Are some styles of purses less attractive to thieves than others? Should I use a messenger bag instead? When it's raining/snowing, how do you handle the challenge of protecting yourself from both the elements and purse snatchers?
posted by invisible ink on Jul 30, 2008 - 35 answers

Should we press charges against a neighborhood kid? [more inside]
posted by Biblio on Jul 3, 2008 - 66 answers

What's the best and safest way to travel through some rather sketchy parts of Africa with a sizable chunk of cash? [more inside]
posted by gottabefunky on Jul 9, 2007 - 14 answers

please give me, all your Slang, Colloquial, Street terms for theft, shop lifting, pickpocking, general crime, the taking of property/ ownership, conartisty [more inside]
posted by complience on Jun 6, 2007 - 60 answers

How do I protect my central air conditioner unit from theft? [more inside]
posted by beelerspace on Jul 22, 2006 - 13 answers

How can thieves profit from stolen masterpieces by using them as "collateral" for drug trafficking? How might they use the stolen works for money laundering? [more inside]
posted by taz on May 5, 2006 - 7 answers

Does anyone who have a bikeforums.net membership? I have a favor to ask. [more inside]
posted by atom128 on Nov 21, 2005 - 4 answers

Okay--I checked my checking account balance last night via my bank's automated phone line. The system told me that my balance was several hundred dollars overdrawn, and when I checked the most recently posted transactions, the amounts ($50 -75) did not immediately ring a bell. [more inside]
posted by theperfectcrime on Jun 10, 2005 - 24 answers

I park on the street in an urbanish neighborhood. My car has gotten broken into twice now in a month. The little sh!ts got nothing either time, but I get to replace the window again. When I get out, I remove all interesting items and lock the doors. I reported it both times but the police aren't terribly encouraging that things will change on my street.

Other than moving to a house with a garage, what else should I be doing?
posted by pomegranate on Feb 6, 2005 - 30 answers

I played the rock-hard quiz computer at a London pub, and lost. The machine informed me that I'd won £2, so I pressed collect. £4 came out. I continued collecting, without the onscreen figure of £2 diminishing. As a penniless student, I emptied the machine and departed in a trance-like state, with £66 (US$118). The barman congratulated me, saying I was the first person he'd ever seen win anything on it. Lovely chap.

Have I committed a crime?
(US Lawyers: since I'm a foreigner, I imagine it's OK to give your opinion here. But then, IANAL.) [more inside]
posted by Pretty_Generic on May 7, 2004 - 29 answers

How do I protect my car from thieves? I headed out to work this morning and was confronted by this. (that would be all four tires and wheels - $750 worth) I have a Clifford alarm system, I always park in highly visible areas, I stay out of "bad areas", there is a police academy 100 yards from where this picture was taken. What do I do to make this never happen again? [more inside] [more inside]
posted by y6y6y6 on Feb 19, 2004 - 29 answers