PSA

“a good reminder to make sure you are walking with a purpose and are fully attentive.”

By Prince Of Petworth

night walker
Photo by PoPville flickr user Nikoo’s Photos

“Dear PoPville,

Last night around 10p I took my dog out for his evening walk and called my boyfriend (since he is currently out of town). As I turned the corner onto U street from 14th, a man, seemingly not impaired in any manner, approached me and grabbed me around the waist. I immediately screamed, shoved him off and ran to my apartment building.

Although shaken up and a bit scared, I am totally fine but I wanted to share this incident given the importance of staying alert, aware and off of your phone while walking at night. Being on the phone is not a reason to excuse this behavior, however it was a good reminder to make sure you are walking with a purpose and are fully attentive.”

“Cars (especially with out of state license plates) are getting their tires slashed on K St, NE”

By Prince Of Petworth

tire slash

“Dear PoPville,

Cars with out of state license plates are getting their tires slashed on K St. NE–

Both my roommate (who has a Louisiana tag) and myself (Mississippi tag) got our passenger side tires slashed last night [Saturday]. When she took her car over to the tire shop on Florida Ave (Mac’s) he told her that at least 10 other folks who live on K street had been in to get their tires fixed this morning, all out of state. Police said it was everyone (including DC tags) but all the DC tags were fine on my block and I only saw out of state tags at the tire store. Just FYI. “

“Caught in Matrix of “Fraud” Software Upgrade at the DC Tax Department.”

By Prince Of Petworth

dc tax
Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

I thought I would give everyone a heads up on an experience I just had.

I was thinking yesterday that I hadn’t received my DC tax return yet, so I went to MyTaxDC.com to check the status. It stated that my refund had been processed on February 24th. So, I called the office. An hour after being on hold they told me a very humorous story.

I moved in Sept 2016, so this address change was flagged by some new fraud software the tax department implemented. This flag cancels the direct deposit and cuts a paper check to send to the address they have in their “system”. The funny thing is, their fraud software does not update the new address in their “system” so the paper check is mailed to the OLD address. (more…)

“Caller ID indicates calls are from DC Courts, but they are not”

By Prince Of Petworth

scam alert
Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

From DC Courts:

“The DC Courts want to warn members of the public not to be taken-in by a telephone scam in which they get a voicemail asking them to call a 1-844 telephone number about money they owe on an outstanding court matter, and to push 5 to make payment and resolve the matter. What differentiates these calls from other scams is that the caller ID system has been manipulated and shows a DC Court-issued telephone number on the caller ID display. Please be advised that the District of Columbia Courts never solicit payments via telephone. All official court correspondence is processed through the U.S. Postal Service. The public is advised not to respond to these telephone calls.“

“be wary of having delivery guys show up to your house when you haven’t ordered any delivery… the delivery guy will get robbed.”

By Prince Of Petworth

delivery
Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

For the second time in less than a week a delivery man was robbed on my porch by an armed man.

What the suspect is doing is calling for delivery from local restaurants (Olga & Manny, NY Pizza) and giving them the address of [unit block of] W Street NW (last Sunday robbery) and [unit block of] W Street NW (tonight’s robbery), when the delivery person shows up for the delivery, no one answers the number that called for the delivery. So the delivery person leaves the car and proceeds to knock on the door of the address. At that time the suspect comes from the corner of North Capital and W street and robs the delivery person at gunpoint.

Myself and my neighbor never called for delivery…. the suspect is giving an address and then robbing people when they arrive.

The police said this is the 5th time it has happened (more…)

They Forget The Most Important One – Stand on the Right and Walk on the Left

By Prince Of Petworth

metro advice
Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

Ed. Note: Please also remember to advise any visitors you are hosting that proper metro riding etiquette requires the passenger to stand on the right or walk on the left side of escalators.

From WMATA:

“As tens of thousands of visitors arrive for the 58th Presidential Inauguration, Metro has some important safety and travel tips for those planning to use the rail system. (more…)

“Within 2 hours of each transaction, we each received fraud alerts from our banks”

By Prince Of Petworth

giant
3rd and H St, NE

“Dear PoPville,

Heads up-my friend and I each used our credit cards today to buy groceries at the H Street Giant. Within 2 hours of each transaction, we each received fraud alerts from our banks. My friend’s card was only fraudulently charged about $10, but someone made about $1600 worth of purchases on mine. Most charges were at the same Giant and all were made very shortly after our original purchases. Thankfully, our banks reversed these charges. I called the Giant to alert them of the situation, was told the manager wasn’t on site, and never received a call back. I’m sure it’s not a huge issue since banks are so vigilant these days, but I wanted to make you aware, just in case. FYI-both of the stolen cards were originally paid with a chip, not a swipe. Everyone who shopped at Giant today [this weekend] check your online banking!”

Don’t be this Guy Vol. 33

By Prince Of Petworth

metro-guy
Photo by James Calder

You’re better than that. James notes: “So frustrating to see this knowing that any attempt to engage is likely to unproductive”

Ed. Note: Also a good opportunity to remind folks that no, you should not, absolutely not clip your nails while on metro either.

Damn it – I accidentally reset the poll at 4pm when I was trying to fix a typo – sorry about that! If you’d like to vote again please do!


“I’ve now paid $300 here! Don’t turn right on red!”

By Prince Of Petworth

fla-ny

“Dear PoPville,

Just an FYI for everyone. There is a red light camera at New York Ave and Florida Ave. It occasionally takes a photo if you turn right on red. Right turn on red at that light is legal, but contesting the ticket does nothing. I’ve now paid $300 here! Don’t turn right on red!”

View More Stories