America’s national parks are among the best places in the world to view wildlife, and bears are among the biggest draws for visitors. Thousands of visitors travel each year to parks such as Yellowstone, Glacier, Katmai, and more in the hopes of seeing a bear. But for all of their beauty, wildlife is always just that: wild. Visitors must keep in mind that parks are natural settings, and the interactions they have with wildlife are very real. In any national park setting, visitors should follow some simple rules to ensure their safety as well as that of the animals.

Here are some simple suggestions to follow on your next national park visit:

Tips to Avoid Confrontations with Bears

When hiking in bear country:

• Always make your presence known. Avoid surprising a bear. Make plenty of noise near dense vegetation or areas of limited visibility.
• Remain aware of your surroundings and look for signs of recent bear activities, tracks, or scat.
• Avoid areas where bears might feed – berry patches, streamsides, whitebark pine stands.
• Carry bear pepper spray and keep it within easy reach. Know how to use it.

When camping in bear country:

• Be sure to store your food in plastic away from your campsite. Hang the food from a tree at least 14 feet above ground and 4 feet away from the trunk.
• Avoid camping near streamsides, where bears like to frequent, or next to bushes, where visibility is limited.

If you see a bear:

• Keep your distance and allow the bear every opportunity to avoid you.
• If the bear continues to approach you, it is most likely trying to identify what you are. Remain calm. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.
• Identify yourself by talking in a normal voice.
• Try to back away slowly at a diagonal angle. If the bear follows, stop and hold your ground.
• Don’t run. Bears can reach speeds of 35 mph, and like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals.
• If the bear gets too close, wave your arms, raise your voice, and be more aggressive. Never make high-pitched squeals or attempt to sound like a bear.

What to do if the bear makes contact:

• If you are attacked by a grizzly bear, fall to the ground and play dead. Typically a bear will break off its attack once the threat is removed. Remain motionless as long as possible.
• If you are attacked by a black bear, fight back vigorously. Throw stones.

Remember:

Bear attacks are rare, and most can be avoided with the proper precautions. Always maintain a healthy respect for wildlife. Never feed animals, and be sure to keep an appropriate distance. With these tips in mind, we hope you’ll enjoy a safe and happy park experience.

ATM Safety Tips

• Try to avoid using an ATM by yourself. Either take someone with you or only use an ATM when others are around.
• If possible, avoid using an ATM after dark. If you must, choose one that is well lit and does not have tall bushes nearby.
• When you arrive at an ATM, look around. If you see anything that makes you uncomfortable or anyone who looks suspicious, do not stop. Either use an ATM at a different location or come back later. Notify police.
• Have your access card and any other documents you need ready when you approach an ATM. While you are fumbling with a wallet or purse, you are easy prey for a thief.
• If someone else is using the ATM, stay alert to your surroundings. Look up and around every few seconds while transacting your business.
• Protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not enter your PIN if anyone else can see the screen or keypad. Use your body to shield your PIN from onlookers. Don’t give your PIN out to others. This is the leading cause of theft.
• When your transaction is finished, be sure you have your card and your receipt, then leave immediately. Avoid counting or otherwise displaying large amounts of cash.
• As you leave, be aware of anything suspicious. If you think you are being followed, go to an area with a lot of people and call the police.

Bank ATMs Converted to Steal IDs of Bank Customers:
A team of organized criminals is installing equipment on legitimate bank ATMs in at least 2 regions to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this, do not use the ATM and report it immediately to the bank using the 800 number or phone on the front of the ATM. The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN is cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A “skimmer” is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.

At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries. The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

The equipment as it appears over the normal ATM bank slot.

The PIN reading camera being installed on the ATM is housed in an innocent looking leaflet enclosure.

The camera shown installed and ready to capture PINs by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN.