Calgary police are warning businesses to keep an eye on their laptops after a rash of thefts.
More than 2,600 laptops have been pilfered since 1999 in Calgary, with only about six per cent recovered.
Police say the devices are often resold locally, shipped overseas or moved through organized crime groups.
“Individuals and businesses that lose their laptops to theft suffer seriously,” said Const. Rod Taylor. “The loss of a laptop computer usually means the loss of confidential, copyrighted or proprietary business information, the loss of personal information such as home addresses, credit card numbers and banking information, and lost productivity.”
Corporate reputations and customer confidence can also be damaged by exposing private client information, he added.
Police say leaving laptops locked in offices overnight is no protection from theft, as many thieves will scope out businesses during the day to steal keys and key cards. Other anti-theft strategies for laptops include:
* Record your laptop model and serial numbers, and engrave the computer with identifying features to discourage theft and resale.
* Never leave your laptop unattended, and carry your laptop in a briefcase or other bag that’s not easily identifiable.
* Always keep your laptop computer out of sight when not in use.
* Purchase an alarm for your laptop, such as a distance separation alarm when traveling.
* Back up important data on another computer.
* Never buy a used laptop computer for an unreasonably low price. Anyone who knowingly buys stolen property will have the item confiscated and face criminal prosecution.
* Purchase security software for your laptop. Security software will “check in” your laptop with another computer when connected to the Internet. If the laptop is reported stolen, the computer will relay its location to police
* Before you buy a used laptop, check the serial number at the Canadian Police Information Centre, at www.nps.ca.
