Casa de Esperanza            
House of Hope  
                                                                                  
 
                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
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Safety & Technology

Does your cell phone have GPS for tracking your location?  Do you get messages like...
                                      


Or threats like - "I am coming to get the kids. You better be there!"
Safety Tips for Cell Phones
  • Removing the battery while your phone is off may prevent your abuser from locating you.
  • The "pay as you go" phones provide a good option.  It is not required you use your name and pay using cash.  This will create a safer cell phone.
  • You may also want to block outgoing caller ID on the phone. Instructions in the cell phone manual, or a cell phone service provider, should be able to help with this. By blocking the outgoing caller ID, the survivor’s number will not show up on another's caller ID when you use your cell phone to place a call.
    General Phone Safety

    • Reverse number lookup is kind of like using a phone book, only instead of using someone’s name to find a number, a person uses someone’s number to find out personal information about them. 
    • Fax number headers and footers are also a way of finding an individual's general location.
    • Traditional phone lines are still the most secure means of communication.  They are more difficult to tap and cannot be intercepted in the same way as cell phones.
    • Phones with cords are better than cordless phones.
        _________________________________________
        Casa de Esperanza has staff who speak Spanish, Punjabi, Hmong, Hindi, and German as well as an advocate skilled in Sign Language.  All languages may not be available 24-hours a day. 
        ____________________________________________________
        Casa de Esperanza
        Crisis Line:  (530) 674-2040
        Business:  (530) 674-5400
        Colusa:  1-888-874-2040
           Fax:  (530) 674-3035  
                  Email:  cdeinfo@casadeesperanzasite.com

        Email
        • Email is not a safe way to communicate with others about private matters.
        • Do not open attachments from individuals you do know.
        • You can create a new email account from a different computer.  This will make it more difficult to track.
        • Create an account not tied to your identity.  DO NOT use accounts with your real name, i.e. - jandoe@hotmail.com
        • Delete received and sent emails often.
        • Change passwords and PIN  numbers often.

          GENERAL SAFETY TIPS
          • If you are being harassed or stalked, keep a log/journal.
          • If you receive threatening or harassing emails, phone messages, notes left on around your home, keep them as evidence.  Write down the exact time, place, and date.
          • If you do not know the caller, let your answering machine get it or let them leave a message on your cell phone.
          • Traditional phone lines are still the most secure means of communication.  They are more difficult to tap and cannot be intercepted in the same way as cell phones.
             
                 
          If you are in danger, please, change to a computer that is safer.

          Computer Safety
          • Computers save information about what you look at on the internet.  You cannot totally get rid of this information
          • You can try getting rid of the information by going to the "Tools" tab and follow your computers directions.  There should be an option to 'Delete Browsing History'.  Some of the newer computers have an options under the "Tools" tab for 'Clear Private Browsing'.
          • Wireless networks are not always private.
          • Computer programs let people track what you are doing.
          • Do not use common words or numbers for passwords. It is best to use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
          • Use a safer computer such as at the local library, or other public places such as Internet Cafés.

          Additional safety tips will be published periodically on the Tips and Ideas Page.  Check back regularly.
          Content copyright . CasadeEsperanza. All rights reserved.
          P. O. Box 56 Yuba City, CA 95992