Scoundrels and swindlers like to visit Conejo Valley. They like it for two reasons: 1. We have nice things. 2. We lack common sense. Therefore, our nice things quickly become their nice things.

All of us must get smarter about thieves, burglars and con artists.

Residents who aren't wise about crooks are giving Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village a bad reputation. It's too easy to steal things here because too many of us are easy marks. We might be intelligent, but we lack street smarts. (See stories on pages 10 and 11.)

The latest trick begins when somebody knocks on your door. If you don't have a peephole or a window that lets you identify that person, you should ask from behind your locked door, "Who's there and what do you want?"

If the stranger identifies himself as a city inspector or contractor who needs to check your home for roof leaks, termites, mold or cable reception, red flags and sirens should be going off in your head.

Representatives of cities or businesses usually make appointments and rarely engage in "cold calls." Always be cautious about opening your door to anyone you don't know, and never let them indoors.

Dishonest people are gaining access to people's homes only to distract them and steal their valuables.

There's always, too, the possibility of a home invasion armed robbery.

Some of us think we can trust strangers on the phone. One of the latest scams involves a caller who says his company can lock you into "rock bottom interest rates" on your credit cards.

People are especially vulnerable right now because they want to save money any way they can.

But when somebody asks for your credit card, checking or savings account number, those red flags and sirens should be going off again.