The EMC Security monitoring center received a personal emergency medical alarm from a customer residing in Winterville, Georgia. The operator was able to provide help without assistance from EMTs. The customer thought she was about to have a seizure and pressed the button on her medical alert pendant. She requested that the operator contact her husband to come home and check on her, rather than contact he paramedics. Though the customer did not want to speak, the operator was concerned that she might seize while waiting. The operator insisted on staying on the line and continued to communicate with her while another operator contacted her husband. Her husband was only 5 minutes away. Once he arrived, the husband said there is no need to send the paramedics, that his wife has been having seizures almost every week and he would check in on her. The operator called the customer’s husband back after 15 minutes to check in on her. He said she is doing well and everything was fine. This is the great advantage of a professional, well trained alarm response center for these life threatening issues that require special handling. For more information on the EMC Medical Alert personal emergency response system, please contact 770-963-0305 to speak with an EMC Medical Alert Specialist.
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EMC Medical Alert Operators Provide Help Without Paramedics
Friday, May 17th, 2013Top Ways to Avoid Digital Dangers During Summer Travel
Friday, May 10th, 2013
For me and for my family, we’re packing a lot more technology than ever before. We have our smartphones and tablets, music players and laptops, camera memory cards and portable Wi-Fi routers. Yeesh! And I hate to pack them in suitcases where they might not make it to our destination at the same time as us, so my carry-on bag is quite heavy! But, it’s a burden well worth bearing as technology can make life on the road much more enjoyable for everyone — it’s proven to be useful so many times.
For example, we’ve snagged reservations to museum exhibits via online systems that would have been tricky without translation programs and high-speed connections. We use online check-in and electronic boarding passes on our phones to simplify airline travel. And our children can be completely occupied and entertained on long flights with videos, films and books they download to their devices.
It also gave us the ability to set up our own Wi-Fi network helped my family avoid using public Wi-Fi hotspots, a notoriously low-security way to get online when you travel – one of the many digital dangers people unwittingly face when they travel.
Here are several other digital dangers to look out for and some tips to stay safe for maximum travel fun:
- Be wary of email or social networking scams offering free airline tickets and hotel discounts, phishing emails around frequent flyer mileage, or offers for discounted excursions. Also, look for “trust seals” like the Norton Secured seal verifying the site’s security before making your purchases.
- Consider a portable router to create your own Wi-Fi hotspot for your family’s devices. Many popular models allow up to five devices on one secured connection. You’ll need a local SIM data card, usually available from an airport kiosk.
- Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi, whether in an airport or local café. According to the 2012 Norton Cybercrime report, over two-thirds of online adults use free or unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Hackers can spy on your connection, capturing your login details and any credit card info you type in. So when you are using public Wi-Fi, keep your information safe by using personal protection like Norton Hotspot Privacy – which keeps your signal safe and anonymous. Or, wait until you’re on a private network before conducting any potentially sensitive activities online.
- Maximize your smart phone’s charge by turning off services you don’t need like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and data roaming. Disable or remove apps you won’t be using that might be pinging the server unnecessarily, causing you to pay for data costs and running your battery down.
- As you travel, don’t leave anything behind. I’ve found iPads in airline seat pockets. Use bright colored device covers, attach ribbons or other attention getting items. Make sure all devices are labeled with your name and secured with a password. Install security software like Norton 360 Multi-Device before you hit the road, so if your device is lost or stolen, you can remotely locate and temporarily lock it to prevent anyone from accessing it.
- Checking in via your smartphone? Take a screen capture of the boarding pass to avoid having to reload it when you’re in the queue. I’ve had trouble getting a good phone connection in the airport and having it saved as an image is a lifesaver! And multiple family members on the same flight means you’ll swipe from image to image easily!
- Using social media when you travel can be a great way to share your family’s adventure. But remember, checking in or posting photos can alert someone with bad intentions that your house is vacant. Make sure you set your house alarm, hire a house sitter or delay those posts until you are safely back at home.
- For those on college Summer Break, review your social media privacy settings. Don’t let anyone post to your account or tag you without your consent in all those cra-a-a-azy photos and videos.
Wishing my readers a safe and relaxing Summer!
Security Tips- Using Electronic Devices and Staying Safe
Tuesday, April 30th, 2013EMC Security would like to remind customers to be mindful of how useful electronic tools can be used to put your safety at risk. New and emerging technologies and devices can make our lives easier at times, but can also put our lives and safety at risk. Perpetrators can and will use these devices to their advantage. These scenarios and tips below gives us something to think about with all our new electronic technology.
1. Registration and Insurance Cards
Some people left their car in the long-term parking at San Jose while away, and someone broke into the car. Using the information on the car’s registration in the glove compartment, they drove the car to the people’s home in Pebble Beach and robbed it. So I guess if we are going to leave the car in long-term parking, we should NOT leave the registration/insurance cards in it, nor your remote garage door opener.
2. GPS Units.
Someone had their car broken into while they were at a football game. Their car was parked on the green which was adjacent to the football stadium and specially allotted to football fans. Things stolen from the car included a garage door remote control, some money and a GPS unit which had been prominently mounted on the dashboard. When the victims got home, they found that their house had been ransacked and just about everything worth anything had been stolen. The thieves had used the GPS to guide them to the house. They then used the garage remote control to open the garage door and gain entry to the house. The thieves knew the owners were at the football game, they knew what time the game was scheduled to finish and so they knew how much time they had to clean out the house. It would appear that they had brought a truck to empty the house of its contents.
Something to consider if you have a GPS – don’t put your home address in it… Put a nearby address (like a store or gas station) so you can still find your way home if you need to, but no one else would know where you live if your GPS were stolen. If you must enter your home address in it, label it something else in the unit such as Grocery Store or Library.
3. Cell Phones
Many have probably never thought of this. . . .
This lady has now changed her habit of how she lists her names on her cell phone after her handbag was stolen. Her handbag, which contained her cell phone, credit card, wallet, etc., was stolen. 20 minutes later when she called her hubby, from a pay phone telling him what had happened, hubby says ‘I received your text asking about our Pin number and I’ve replied a little while ago.’ When they rushed down to the bank, the bank staff told them all the money was already withdrawn. The thief had actually used the stolen cell phone to text ‘hubby’ in the contact list and got hold of the pin number. Within 20 minutes he had withdrawn all the money from their bank account.
Moral of the lesson:
a. Do not disclose the relationship between you and the people in your contact list. Avoid using names like Home, Honey, Hubby, Sweetheart, Dad, Mom, etc….
b. And very importantly, when sensitive info is being asked through texts, CONFIRM by calling the person back.
c. Also, when you’re being texted by friends or family to meet them somewhere , be sure to call back to confirm that the message came from them. If you don’t reach them, be very careful about going places to meet ‘family and friends’ who text you. It is so easy to assume it is them, but taking a simple extra step to confirm can mean the difference between life and death.
Please always be mindful of how some electronic devices and be used to put your security and safety at risk. The more you know about your safety, the more you can do to protect yourself and your family!
Burglary Thwarted! EMC Security Alarm Scares Intruder Away!
Friday, April 26th, 2013The EMC Security monitoring center received an alarm signal from the home of a customer residing Gainesville. The alarm signal came from an entry door at 10:51am. The monitoring center operator immediately attempted to contact the customer. When unable to reach the customer, the operator dispatched the police to the home. A few minutes after dispatching police, the customer called to confirm that there was indeed a break-in at the home. The customer was relieved that nothing was taken and that he thinks the alarm scared the intruder away, preventing loss. Other than the broken door window, there was no other damage and nothing taken from the home. He also mentioned that he sometimes forgets to arm his system when leaving the home. He also mentioned that had he not turned his system on, he surely would have lost all of his valuable belongings, including his peace of mind.
The customer was so thankful to have had the EMC Security system and monitoring for his home. Even more importantly, he was glad that he armed the system before leaving the home. Please remember to use your alarm every time you leave your home. Burglars only need a few minutes to break into your home and steal your valuables. EMC Security’s exclusive Secure Path technology allows you to arm your system from your smart phone or computer in the event that you forget to arm your system before leaving your house. Secure Path technology allows you to access your system from any web-enabled device. Please contact an EMC Security representative at 770-963-0305 to learn more. Stay safe, stay connected, and stay in control with EMC Security.
EMC Security Saves Injured Customer!
Monday, April 15th, 2013The EMC Security monitoring center received an alarm from the home of an EMC Medical Alert customer in Snellville, Georgia at 9:10am on Sunday, April 14, 2013. The customer was home alone when she fell on the hard tile floor in her bathroom. She fell on her hip and left hand leaving her in terrible pain and unable to get back up on her own strength. She immediately pressed the button on her EMC Medical Alert two-way communication pendant that she constantly wears. The was then connected to the monitoring center operator. Speaking directly through the pendant, the customer explained to the operator that she fell and was injured. The operator immediately dispatched emergency medical services to the customers home. EMC Security’s quick response led to the ambulance arriving at the home within 8 minutes after the customer initially pressed the button on her two-way medical alert pendant. While remaining on the phone with the customer the entire time, the customer was able to tell the operator to notify EMS that they could access the home through her unlocked back door. The operator also contacted the customer’s daughter who was then able to rush to her mother’s home.
This is a very fortunate situation in which the customer had the EMC Medical Alert pendant and was able to call for immediate help. We shudder to think at what might have occurred had she not had the two-way EMC Medical Alarm pendant as she lay on the floor in pain and unable to get herself back up. Without the fast response of EMC Security, she may have lay on the floor, alone and in pain for ours, or until someone found her days later. Please do not let this happen to you or a loved one. If you know someone who would benefit from having the EMC Medical Alert pendant, please contact EMC Security at 770-963-0305 to speak with a Medical Alert product specialist immediately. Give you and your loved one peace of mind knowing that help is at the press of a button.
Garage Security Tips from EMC Security
Thursday, April 11th, 2013
Garages present special challenges for security. Here are some tips for keeping your garage secure.
- If you frost or cover your garage windows, burglars won’t be able to tell if your car is gone.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked even when your car is not in the garage.
- Install a peephole in the door separating the house from the garage. If you hear suspicious sounds, you can check without opening the door.
- Are you worried about someone entering your house through your attached garage? If the garage door lifts on a track, a C-clamp can provide extra security since the door cannot be opened if you tighten the C-clamp on the track next to the roller.
- You can also contact an EMC Security representative at 770-963-0305 to discuss installation options for appropriate alarm equipment to monitor your garage.
EMC Medical Alert Pendant Saves Customer and her Husband!
Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013The EMC Security monitoring center received a medical alert pendant alarm on 4/02/2013 from an elderly customer in Rabun Gap, Georgia. Her husband had fallen in the bathroom at 12:30p and became wedged in between the toilet and the bathroom, unable to get up. She thought she had also injured her hip as she tried to help him up. The customer pressed the button on her medical alert pendant and was able to communicate with the monitoring center by directly speaking through the pendant with the monitoring center operator. The operator remained on the line with her while a second operator dispatched the paramedics. The ambulance arrived at the house in minutes. The customer was able to unlock the door for the paramedics when they arrived. Her husband was not injured, but could not get up on his own. Thankfully, neither the customer, nor her husband were injured. They both simply needed help getting up and regaining their strength. She was so thankful for having the EMC Medical Alert pendant.
Many medical alert users find that they do not always need an ambulance sent to their home after falling. Many times, they are not injured, but merely need help getting back up or collecting themselves from a slight fall. The EMC Medical Alert pendant is there to help those in need whether in need of simple physical assistance or severely injured. If you or someone you know might benefit from having an EMC Medical Alert two-way voice pendant, please call 770-963-0305 to speak with a medical alert product representative about the EMC Medical Alert system.
EMC Security Customers- Security Company Scammers are in your area!
Monday, March 25th, 2013Recently, several customers of EMC Security have contacted us to report a salesman going door-to-door in their neighborhood claiming to represent EMC Security. The most recent customer reported that the salesman represented himself as EMC Security personnel and was there to offer an upgrade to her system. This person also claimed that Vivint Security was working with EMC Security on upgrading customers’ security systems. This is not true in any way. These claims are classic scammer tactics made by other security companies who are misleading and swindling customers into unknowingly signing a contract for their services. These individuals are usually well dressed and claim that they are offering to upgrade their security system on behalf of their current security company. They then offer to perform the “upgrade” for free. They will ask the homeowner to sign an authorization to complete the installation, but what the homeowner is actually signing is a 60 month (5 year) non-cancellable contract for monitoring at $45 or more per month. The customer will then be locked into paying the high monthly payment for the entire length of the contract with no recourse, or face severe penalty fees to get out of the contract and risk being sued by the alarm company that scammed them.
EMC Security will NEVER send anyone to a customer’s home without their prior knowledge. Please contact EMC Security if you are approached by these scammers and call 911. Here are some additional tips on what to do if you are approached by one of these scammers.
1. Always think safety first. If you’re home alone and don’t recognize the person, don’t open the door. If they are a legitimate company, they will leave a brochure or business card.
2. Be aware that because you have a security sign or other type of sign in your yard, you could be a target for this type of unethical selling practices.
3. Always, always check with your own security company, or other company, first. You can also ask the sales representative to wait outside while you do. If they are telling the truth, why would they mind waiting? EMC Security will never send anyone to a customers home without their prior knowledge.
4. Scare tactics may not work on everyone but they can on our senior citizens and others who have no one to turn to for advice. If you believe this type of business practice is happening in your neighborhood, please call the police and let them know. At least there will be a record on file.
5. Finally, if there will be any offers or changes to your service you will be contacted by EMC Security. You won’t hear this information from someone who knocks at your door, and especially someone who tries to scare you.
EMC Security stops burglary in progress, Suspect Apprehended!
Friday, March 15th, 2013The EMC Security monitoring center received an alarm on March 15th at 3:06pm from the home of a customer residing in Kennesaw, Georgia. The initial alarm came from the back door. Motion was also detected in the foyer of the home, followed by an alarm at the basement door as well as the basement motion detector. The monitoring center operator immediately notified the customer at 3:08pm and dispatched the police to the home.
Shortly after the dispatching call, a Paulding County operator confirmed a break-in and that there was one person in custody. The customer called to confirm that a suspect had been apprehended at the scene and thanked EMC Security for their fast response to their alarm. The security system and the quick response to the alarms prevented major loss to the customer’s valuables and property. Whether it is in the afternoon or at night, burglars are always looking for their next victim. Having a security system gives your home and family the added protection needed to help keep your valuables and family safe.
Why You Should Never Sign a Contract for Alarm Services!
Tuesday, March 12th, 2013Please read this recent industry blog written on a national alarm company:
ADT sued over early termination fees by: Tess Nacelewicz, Security System News
03/06/2013
Early termination fees are pretty much standard in the security industry but now The ADT Corp. is facing a lawsuit over them, I’ve learned.
Earlier this week two law firms announced the filing of a class action lawsuit in federal court in California on behalf of ADT Home Monitoring Services customers regarding early termination fees, also termed early cancellation fees.
The law offices of Bursor & Fisher and of Jana Eisinger contend in a news release that the fees are illegal and the “lynchpin of ADT’s ‘never let them go’ strategy.”
The attorneys are urging consumers who believe they were wronged to contact them.
Here’s more from the March 4 release:
The proposed class consists of two groups of consumers: (1) all current or former consumer subscribers of ADT who have been charged an early termination fee or are subject to being charged an early termination fee (also called an Early Termination Fee or Early Cancellation Fee, collectively “ETF”, and comprising the “ETF class”); and (2) all current or former consumer subscribers of ADT whose rates were increased or are subject to increase by ADT without prior notice while in the initial contract period or during subsequent contractual extensions.
This class action is intended to redress ADT’s wrongful practice of imposing early termination fees, the lynchpin of ADT’s “never let them go” strategy. Early termination fees are unlawful penalties used simply as an anti-competitive device and do not compensate ADT for any true costs of breach. These penalties, which are unilaterally imposed by ADT – even when ADT fails to perform the services promised – also violate the consumer protection statutes of California and Illinois and similar laws nationwide.
The early termination penalty is extracted under circumstances which cannot be justified, when ADT has failed to perform the very services that form the basis of ADT’s obligation. The penalty is also extracted from customers who contracted with ADT to simply monitor a system that was previously installed, requiring no equipment to be installed and resulting in a windfall to ADT upon termination. By charging the early termination fee ADT gets paid for years of monitoring without doing any monitoring to earn those fees.
In addition, Plaintiffs seek redress for ADT’s pattern of unilaterally increasing alarm monitoring fees while consumers are under contract for lesser fees. These increases are implemented without adequate prior notice and without providing the appropriate and required disclosures necessary to ensure that customers consent to these increases in advance. ADT relies on small boilerplate text neither signed nor highlighted for customers to claim its “right” to unilaterally increase fees.
I contacted ADT and Sarah Cohn, ADT director of media relations, who responded that the company has a policy of not commenting on pending litigation. She noted however, that “termination fees are common in the industry when a company absorbs the upfront cost of the installation.” I’ve also reached out to the lawyers involved to find out why they’re targeting ADT. Stay posted!
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EMC Security has never required our customers to sign a long term contract. All EMC Security customers have the right to terminate service, without any termination fees or further obligation at any time, regardless of whether they installed a new system or monitoring an existing system. EMC Security will never lock any customer into a contract and will earn your business everyday!
EMC Security is the most trusted business and home security, alarm systems and alarm monitoring provider in Metro Atlanta serving * Atlanta , Alpharetta, Acworth, Athens, Canton, Chamblee, Cumming, Dacula, Decatur, Duluth, Dunwoody, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Marietta, Milton, Monroe, Norcross, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Snellville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Tucker, Winder, Woodstock. Georgia Home Security Systems - Atlanta Alarm Systems – Gwinnett, North Fulton, Forsyth, and Dekalb County Alarm Monitoring - Home Security Monitoring - GE Security System - Security Systems with No Phone line. EMC Security offers the best in quality residential and commercial security solutions because we understand that peace of mind is important to everyone, regardless of budget. That's why our alarm monitoring is provided for only $16.95 per month with no contract required. In addition to peace of mind, EMC Security alarm monitoring can result in lower home owner's insurance rates. At EMC Security, we not only help protect your home, we also protect your wallet! We will work hard so that you can have the best security system possible. EMC Security is jointly owned by Jackson EMC, Walton EMC, and GreyStone Power - with a history of serving Georgia residents for more than 80 years.
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