The Tide is Going Out ..............

Tide laundry detergent is meant to be used for household cleaning purposes, but thieves are turning it into something dirty.

Authorities are reporting a spike in thefts of Tide, and in some cities they are setting up task forces where the detergent is sold to track the number of bottles in stores.

Police believe thieves are using the soap on the black market, which retails for $10-$20, to buy drugs. On the black market, Tide is often referred to as "liquid gold" and can go for $5-$10 per bottle.

Last year, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a man is alleged to have stolen $25,000 worth of Tide over 15 months before authorities captured him. Stores such as CVS have amped up security measures to prevent theft; at some locations the detergent is kept in a locked container and an employee must retrieve it for customers.

So why is Tide the only detergent being targeted? Authorities list several reasons: Tide is instantly recognizable because of its Day-Glo orange bottle; it is one of the most expensive brands of laundry detergent; and it does not have serial numbers, so it cannot be tracked.

On social media, people are calling the theft trend "bizarre" and many are blaming it on the tough economy and rising gas prices. One person tweeted that the thefts are "a result of inflation."

A spokesperson for Procter & Gamble, the manufacturer of Tide, called the thefts "unfortunate."

Thieves have a new way to steal from you now!

A  friend sent me this email and I am passing the information on.

Wednesday, I approached my truck  from the passenger side to place my computer bag in the front passenger seat. As I reached to open the door I noticed there was a hole right under my door handle. My  first thought was, "someone has shot my truck !"
I began to  think about it and inspect it a little closer and the light"  slowly began to come on.
I phoned my friend who owns a body  shop and asked if he had any vehicles with damage to the doors that looked like a bullet hole.
"Yes, I see it all the  time. Thieves have a punch and place it right under the door handle, knock a hole through, reach in and unlock it, just as if  they have a key.
No alarms, broken glass or anything.
 I then placed a call to my insurance agent and explained it to him I was puzzled that they left my GPS and all  other belongings.
Here is where it gets scary !
"Oh no,  he said, they want the break-in to be so subtle that you don't even realize it.
They look at your GPS to see where "home"  is. Now they know what you drive, go to your home, and if  your vehicle isn't there they  assume you aren't and break in your home."
He says they will even leave a purse or wallet and only take one or two credit cards. By the time you  realize there has been a theft, they may have already had a couple days or more to use them.
I didn't realize my situation for two full days!  They even give you the courtesy of  re-locking your doors for you.
Periodically walk around your  car, daily if you are in a shopping center or other parking  area.
Report thefts immediately....your bank w/missing  check numbers, your credit card agencies, police, and  insurance companies,

There are some pros and cons on this issue, but there is some credibility in the story. I learned a long time ago, in Nevada casinos, believe ANYTHING someone tells you, nothing is impossible.