CRIME STOPPERS HAS AN OBLIGATION TO PROTECT YOUR
ANONYMITY.
Text keyword "TIP212
plus your message" to CRIMES (274637) on your mobile device Standard text messaging rates may apply based on the subscriber's plan with their mobile phone carrier.
When Miramichi Crime Stoppers started 23 years ago, mobile phones were a relatively new invention. Now the majority
of us have one, and rely heavily on them. According to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), cell
phone subscribers numbered 22.8 million in December 2009, with many of those using text messaging as their primary
means of communication. In fact, Canadians send over 100 million text messages per day.
N.B. Crime Stoppers can accept calls from mobile phones anonymously. Bell Mobility™ and
TELUS™ Mobility customers can dial *8477,and Rogers™
Wireless clients can dial #8477 from their cellular phone or mobile device. Other
cell phone users can contact Crime Stoppers via the toll-free hotline 1-800-222-8477. Be assured,
Crime Stoppers does not use any devices that reveal the caller's identity, and we do not subscribe to
'call display'.
You should
be aware however, that the number will appear in your ‘call register’ on your cell phone and may also appear
on your bill -both of which may indicate to someone that you contacted Crime Stoppers.
Canadian Crime Stoppers Launches Tips
via Text Message Anonymous text messaging joins the fight against crime
The Canadian Crime Stoppers Association and N.B. Crime
Stoppers, in collaboration with Anderson Software, added an exciting new tool to its arsenal in combating crime.Canadians
in most major urban centres will now have the ability to anonymously text message their tips to Crime Stoppers at
CRIMES (274637).This new program will allow cell phone users to make anonymous tips when
voice calls may not always be possible or safe.This announcement coincides with a similar launch in the
US and the UK.
How does my identity and cell phone number remain anonymous?
People provide anonymous information to Crime Stoppers to help police solve crimes. They do so knowing that
their identity will never be revealed because Crime Stoppers does not know who they are.
As Crime Stoppers programs embrace new technology, it is essential
that these strong anonymity protections remain in place. We want you to be 100% assured and feeling safe that your identity
will remain anonymous!
Today the vast majority of cell phones offer a feature called Short Message
Service (SMS)
to send and receive short text messages. New technology is now available so that text messages to Crime Stoppers can
be received and responded to anonymously.
In developing the TipSoft SMS system for Crime Stoppers, Anderson Software, a global
leader in secure and anonymous tip management software and web applications,worked
closely with a leading Canadian information security expert to build a system capable of two-way SMS communication without
revealing the mobile phone number to Crime Stoppers. To accomplish this, the system uses a double alias approach:
SMS messages from mobile phones are sent to a secure server located in Canada that is independently operated
by a leading Canadian information security company, where the mobile phone number is encrypted and assigned an alias.
The text message and alias are immediately forwarded to Anderson Software’s server in the United States.
The Canadian server retains only the minimum information required to facilitate replies. The text message itself is not retained.
Anderson Software’s server assigns a second alias and then inserts the message, along with the second
alias, into the TipSoft system where it becomes available to the appropriate Crime Stoppers program (i.e. N.B. Crime Stoppers).
The Crime Stoppers program receives only the content of the text message and the second alias
assigned by Anderson Software.
Replies from the Crime Stoppers
Program follow the same process in reverse. The reply is sent to the Anderson Software server, which substitutes
the first alias for the second alias, sends the message to the Canadian server, which decrypts the original phone number,
substitutes it for the alias, and forwards the message to the mobile telephone SMS network.
The system ensures that neither Anderson Software
nor the Crime Stoppers Program have access to the mobile phone number.
The contractual arrangement between Anderson Software and the Canadian information security company requires
that all information be held in strict confidence and that only the minimum information required to associate the encrypted
alias with the mobile phone number is retained. This company will not release mobile phone numbers to any party. This position
is supported by a Supreme Court of Canada decision that upheld the legal privilege extended to those who provide anonymous
information to Crime Stoppers Programs.
The Canadian company has provided security and privacy consulting services to governments, financial institutions,
insurance firms, and other public and private sector organizations in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States and Canada.
Anderson Software is pleased to work with this company to ensure that people contacting Crime Stoppers through their mobile
phones receive the same level of anonymity associated with more traditional communication methods.
The major Canadian regions taking part in this new initiative include:Newfoundland
and Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, Lethbridge, Northwest Ontario, Sudbury, Winnipeg,
Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Edmonton and Calgary.
What do I need to include when texting
my tip?
Text keyword "TIP212 plus your message" to CRIMES (274637)
on your cell phone or mobile device.
Each participating region has a specific tip number code, such as “TIP212” for
cell users in New Brunswick. Tipsters will be required to include this code when they text their tips to CRIMES
(274637).These codes determine routing through the system.For example:“TIP212Drugs being sold at corner of Bank and Third” would route the message to N.B. Crime Stoppers
officials. Standard text messaging rates may apply based on the subscriber's plan with their mobile phone carrier.
An opt-out can be requested at any time by sending the keyword STOP to CRIMES.
Region Tip Codes:
TIP183
– Calgary TIP250 – Edmonton TIP201 – Halton Region TIP232 – Lethbridge TIP193
– Moose Jaw TIP212 – New Brunswick TIP262 – Northwest Ontario (Kenora) TIP202
– Nova Scotia TIP190 – Newfoundland and Labrador TIP252 – Ottawa/Gatineau (National Capital Area) TIP162 – PEI TIP168 – Regina TIP210 – Saskatoon TIP267 – Sudbury TIP312 –
Toronto TIP170 – Winnipeg
“We
knew it was time to develop and provide a truly secure and anonymous means of easily communicating with tipsters via text
messages,” said Kevin Anderson, CEO of Anderson Software and long-time supporter and IT Partner of Crime Stoppers.“Our
new TipSoft v5 Online, hosted on our secure servers, provides for the seamless reception and management of information whether
coming via phone, the Web or as a text message tip.”
Crime Stoppers believes this new system will entice more
informants to come forward, especially tech-savvy youth.Text messaging is becoming an increasingly popular
means of communication.The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) reports that the number
of person-to-person text messages in Canada totalled 10.1 billion in 2007, an increase of 133% over the 2006 total of 4.3
billion messages. Canadians are now sending over 100 million text messages per day.
“On behalf of
Canada’s wireless industry, I congratulate N.B. Crime Stoppers on their implementation of this innovative text messaging
application as part of their ongoing efforts to keep New Brunswickers safe,” said Canadian Wireless Telecommunications
Association (CWTA) President and CEO, Bernard Lord. “The instant and interactive nature of text messaging is sure to
be a valuable asset for law enforcement, especially in situations where timing is critical.”
Complete instructions
about texting tips to Crime Stoppers can be found at:www.smscrimetips.com.
A crime is committed and you know who is responsible - we're interested
in receiving tips on any crime, whether featured or not.
If your tip
leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash award. You will never have to give your name, or testify in court. Text a tip anonymously: Text 'TIP212 followed by your information' to CRIMES (274637). Learn More Call N.B. Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) - Anonymity Guaranteed!
