No matter what the scene of the crime is – home or street – it is important to notify the police as soon as possible and to keep the scene and evidence as intact as possible. You can get the quickest help from the Police and Border Guard Board, or the Rescue Board. Victims of a crime can also receive help from Social Insurance Board's victim support specialists or rural municipality government or city government.
Ways of reporting a crime
- If someone’s life, health or property is in immediate danger, call the emergency phone number 112;
- in order to report other crimes, go to the nearest police authority or
- submit a report to the Police and Border Guard Board by e-mail.
How to behave at the scene
- Maintain the integrity of the scene as much as possible until the police arrive.
- Memorise or write down the details of potential suspects and witnesses and hand the information to the police.
- Pay attention and report your suspicions to the police.
Maintain the integrity of the scene!
- In case of a theft from your flat, do not move around the scene of the event and do not start cleaning the room or rooms immediately, as there may be traces that could lead to solving the case, however, you could unwittingly destroy this evidence if you don’t notice it. Furthermore, try to keep the surroundings of your residence intact, as there may be important traces on the ground or in the hallway.
- In case of a theft from your car, do not move around the scene of the event or start cleaning the car immediately. Try to keep the surroundings of your car intact, as there may be important traces on the ground.
- If your car, scooter, etc. has been stolen and you really need to touch something (e.g. to lift something off the ground, open a door, etc.), try to do it with a gloved hand so as not to destroy any evidence (DNA, fingerprints, etc.).
- If your wallet with bank cards or a mobile phone has been stolen, contact your bank/phone operator immediately and close your bank cards and/or deactivate your SIM card.
How to protect yourself
The first requirement and recommendation is that everyone should protect their documents and property, and be careful about disclosing their passwords and PINs even to people closest to them.
Be careful when:
- you are asked to disclose your personal information, ID-card codes, debit or credit card numbers, computer passwords, etc. Information about your identity and passwords may be used to access your data, assets and savings. Do not keep your passwords in your wallet, on a post-it note stuck to your computer or written on a bank card.
- you lose your document(s). Your documents and the data they contain may be used to dispose of your assets. It is therefore necessary to notify the issuers of lost documents immediately and to revoke them.
- you are selling buying, renting or leasing immovable or movable property (a flat, a house, a car, etc.). Smaller and seemingly low-cost companies or individuals may serve as a cover for skilled people who use front men to sell your valuable assets to a third buyer who buys them „in good faith“ and leave you without your money or property. In addition, you may fall victim to fraud when handing over money, as in place of money, you may be handed a stack of cash with banknotes at the bottom and at the top but worthless paper in between.
- you are asked to sign an authorisation document for acting on your behalf. Do not give another person too broad a power of attorney. The authorisation document should also not include the right to delegate the authorisation (in this case, a third person who you don’t know or haven’t met could start acting on your behalf). Be aware that all obligations that the other person assumes under your authorisation will become your responsibility.
- you are asked to pay in advance for the delivery or acquisition of the ordered/purchased goods. The fraudster will take your money and disappear without sending you any goods.
- you are lending money. A written contract that specifies the transfer of money is of utmost importance in collecting the debt even when you think you know the borrower well.
- you are offered a well-paid job abroad. Many such agencies serve as a cover for individuals who collect the commission and disappear, or smuggle prostitutes under the cover of babysitting or cleaning jobs. The jobs that are offered may also be illegal.
The State Portal eesti.ee does not provide legal assistance. Legal portal Hugo.legal will help you find solutions to legal issues of everyday life. European e-Justice portal provides information on justice systems.
Related articles
- Computer Security
- Representation and authorisation
- Protecting your home and neighbourhood watch
- Working in Estonia and abroad
- Compensation of damage for crime victims
- Victim support
References
- For your own safety
- Useful advices from police
- Departments of the Police and Border Guard Board
- Emergency and information lines
- European e-Justice Portal