Security Tips

The following security tips were provided to U.S. Embassy employees by the Regional Security Office and may be useful for your own personal security.

For the latest Warden Messages, please see the "Warden Messages" webpage.

Security Notice: Presence of Italian Troops in the City - August 1, 2008

The Government of Italy has recently issued a decree to start using military troops to protect sensitive targets such as Italian Government buildings, foreign Embassies, Consulates, diplomatic residences, and other sites. The troops may also be used on street patrols with the police in major Italian cities.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the American citizen community that, starting Monday, August 4th, there may be Italian soldiers at posts where you are accustomed to seeing police or Carabinieri posts. In Rome, there will probably be no change inside the Aurelian Walls, but the U.S. Embassy facilities that are located outside the Aurelian Walls may see fixed posts replaced by military troops effective Monday. The military troops which are deployed under this decree will have the same powers of arrest as the police.

The decree has a limit of six months, during which the Government of Italy will review the use of the troops to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Security Notice: ATM Skimming Warning - July 25, 2008

American citizens should be aware that there have been a couple of recent incidences of ATM skimming in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Rome. This type of crime is increasing . All citizens should be particularly careful when using ATM machines.

Skimmers may be installed on ATM machines and they are often difficult to notice. A small device goes over the normal card reading slot and reads your card’s magnetic stripe. Skimmers can also be handheld devices that a dishonest merchant can keep in his pocket and, while charging your card for a recent purchase, for example, he can run your card through a skimmer as well.

Use these tricks to avoid getting caught in a skimming scam:

Use secure ATM machines – under video surveillance or inside of a bank lobby. They are less likely to be tampered with. Thieves take more risk installing skimmers where there are security cameras.
Cover the ATM keypad as you’re entering your PIN -- just in case there is a hidden camera around.
Skimming devices will stick out a few extra inches from an ATM. If something looks suspicious, find another ATM. Don't fall for a poor fitting device (or a sticker or sign that says "Swipe Here First” or “Use This Machine Only”).
If a machine keeps your card, call the bank immediately and report it.
Don’t accept “help” from anybody hanging around the ATM machine. They may say they were having trouble also and you just need to enter your PIN again.
Keep your eyes on your card if you have any doubts. Don't let a vendor walk off with your card -- even for a few seconds.

It is recommended to use an ATM inside a bank.

Security Notice: Summer security advisory, May 23, 2008

This is a general security notice for the community issued by the Regional Security Office of the U.S. Embassy in Rome. In the past month, there have been two attacks on Americans which involved the use of knives. The latest event involved two Embassy Rome official visitors at the McDonalds in Termini train station.

In the early morning hours, two visiting personnel were assaulted outside the McDonald's in Termini train station. An unknown subject struck up a conversation with them while two others came and joined the conversation. One of the unknown individuals snatched the wallet of one of the Temporary Duty Officers (TDYers). Seeing the attempted theft, the second TDYer attempted to grab the thief’s wrist. The unknown individual then stabbed him in the arm with a knife and ran away along with the other unknown individuals. The victim received 18 stitches to his arm from the stab wound.

The second incident involved a female member of the Embassy Rome community.

A teenage member of the community was dropped off at night in the lower Cassia area, a few blocks from her home, by another parent. She was grabbed from behind by a man wielding a knife who attempted to assault her. She was able to fight him off and leave the area.

Due to these two events, the Regional Security Office of the U.S. Embassy in Rome would like to remind the community to be extra vigilant. As the weather warms up we will spend more time out and about in Rome. The following are just a few, of the many steps; you can take to help keep you safe.

While Walking:

Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, leave.
Stay in well-lit areas.
Walk confidently, with your head up, at a steady pace on the side of the street facing traffic.
Avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys.
When going to your car walk with your keys in your hand.
Don’t walk alone at night and always avoid areas where there are few people.
If you are wearing an IPOD make sure that the volume is low enough to hear everything around you. This is especially important during the hours of darkness. Never take away one of your possible ways of being warned that there is going to trouble.
Be extra careful when people stop you for directions or ask for the time. Always reply from a distance, and never get too close to the car or person.

While Driving:

Keep you car in good working order and the gas tank at least half full.
Park in well-lit areas and lock the doors, even if you’ll only be gone a short time.
When you return to your car, have the key ready and check the front and rear seats and floor before getting in.
Once in your car go. Do not sit and balance a check book, count money, or organize your belongings.
Drive with all of your doors locked.
If you have a flat tire, drive on it until you reach a safe, well-lit and well traveled area.
Exercise extra caution when using underground and enclosed parking garages. Try not to go alone.

General Security Recommendations:

Look:

Cultivate a 'sixth sense' about your neighborhood; know what is normal;
Anytime you leave your home or office, look up and down the street for any suspicious cars, vans, or utility vehicles;
Note people near your home who appear to be repairmen, utility crew teams, peddlers;
Remain alert while driving;
Know your "choke points" on your routes – those bottleneck spots you must traverse. Heighten your awareness of other vehicles, vans, motorcycles as you enter such choke points;
Determine if a pattern is developing with specific cars/motorcycles behind or near you.

Be suspicious of:

People watching for extended periods of time from street level, buildings, or cars;
Broken down vehicles - watch the person’s actions;
Work crews - do they belong there?
Individuals taking notes or photos;
People who leave the area when you do;
Cars parked in the same place for extended periods of time with occupants in the front seat;
Cars or motorcycles that suddenly pull out of parking places or side streets when you pass them;
Vehicles driving too fast or too slow, making erratic moves or abrupt stops;
Vehicles that stop or start as you do.

Be unpredictable:

Determine all routes available to and from work;
Vary your route;
Change departure times frequently (at least one- hour window);
If possible, frequently change vehicles ;
Stagger professional and social activities (don’t play tennis every Wednesday at 3).

Other helpful security recommendations:

Search the exterior and interior of your vehicle.
Look around and under the car for obvious devices, packages, bits of tape, wire, string, safety pins, clumps of dirt, footprints and other indications of tampering;
Look inside the vehicle through the windows;
Look for signs of forced entry around the doors, hood, windows and trunk ( a dirty car reveals fingerprints);
Look inside the exhaust pipe – invest in a blocking pin;
Check the gas cap for signs of tampering – look inside the neck of the gas tank;
Look around, on top of and under the tires – don’t forget the hubcaps;
Check the driver/passenger compartment; always start with the floor and under the seat, then work up;
Look for devices and wires attached to doors or wedged between the door and seat;
Check door panels for signs of tampering;
Look under seats, dashboard, floor mats and headrests;
Check the ashtrays, speakers, cigarette lighter, vanity and dome lights;
Check the sunvisor and glove compartment;
Check all electronic equipment; radio, clock, power windows.

Important Phone numbers:

Police - 113
Carabinieri - 112
Ambulance - 118
Fire - 115

Daily Security Habits and Practices:

Vary your times and routes to and from work;
Keep your doors locked and windows closed (residence and vehicle);
Check the interior and exterior of your vehicle prior to getting into your vehicle and look for things that are irregular or abnormal;
Maintain a low personal profile by not doing anything that draws attention to yourself;
Identify and report to your local police authorities vehicles or persons possibly involved in surveillance of your activities;
Be alert to what is going on around you;
Make sure your colleagues and family are aware of your daily plans and know how to reach you;
Always be aware of your surroundings and report all suspicious activity to your local police authorities;
In traffic, always attempt to leave space in which to maneuver and always leave yourself an exit. Be prepared to take evasive action at any time;
Avoid choke points in travel and be wary of diversions;
If you are being followed or harassed by another driver, try to find the nearest police station, hotel or other public facility to call the police. Never lead the person back to your home or stop and get out;
Whenever possible, do not have a set day for shopping, errands and personal needs: be unpredictable;
Never give out your personal information such as family member and household staff names, addresses and telephone numbers in an open setting;
Ensure all of your family members are briefed on security measures.

Previous Security Notices