Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Shopping Centers

• Park in a well-lighted space.
• Carry pepperspray and stun guns for your protection.
• Many crimes occur in parking lots. You should be aware of what, and who, is around you from the minute you exit your vehicle. Stay off your cell phone when walking to and from your car. Your full attention needs to be on your surroundings.
• Always lock your car. Any purchases you have made, place them in a trunk where they are out of view.
• Trust your instincts. If someone is approaching you and they make you feel uncomfortable, move in a direction where there are several people and ask for assistance.
• Don’t shop alone. There is safety in numbers.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Have your keys out when you leave the store and ready to enter your vehicle.
• Do not overload yourself with packages to the point that you cannot protect yourself if someone dangerous approaches.
• While shopping, remain alert as to where your personal effects are. Purses and wallets contain everything a criminal needs to commit identity theft, auto theft and residential burglary (drivers license, home addresses, checkbooks, keys to homes, etc.). Ladies, never put your purse in a shopping cart. Criminals like to work in pairs. While one distracts your attention, the other will take off with the complete purse or reach in and take the wallet. Keep the purse over your shoulder with the purse firmly pressed close to your body. If the purse is too heavy to carry, then it’s time to think about lightening the load.

Holiday Gift Cards

While some gift cards have no expiration date, because they are reloadable cards, there are others that do have an expiration date that you need to be aware of. You need to closely check the fine print on the back of the card or your receipt for those time limits.

Also remember, purchasing a gift card from any merchant does not guarantee that business will be open when you or the recipient wishes to redeem it. Our economy is still recovering and sometimes a business finds itself in a situation where they must make a difficult choice to close.

Extra ways to safeguard against Gift Card Scams

• If you are accustomed to purchasing gift cards from a display rack that has various store cards, be aware that you may become a victim of theft. Value drainers jot down the card numbers found on the back of the cards simply by lightly prying the card from its cardboard base. The value drainer then waits a few days and calls the toll free number on the card to see how much of a balance THEY have access to on the card. Once it has been determined that the card has been activated and the amount on the card, they begin their Christmas shopping online, all at your expense.
• Be sure to purchase gift cards from reputable sources. If purchasing gift cards online, be sure to purchase them from the online versions of the store and not from auctions. Some auctions have been known to be scams.
• Whether you choose a card from a rack or have a clerk hand it to you, always examine both sides of what you're buying before paying for it, even if that means removing the item from its packaging to do so. If you see signs of tampering, or you see that the card's PIN has been exposed, don't purchase the card. Instead, hand it over to the store's management, pointing out what you saw.
• Keep your receipt as proof of purchase for as long as there is value stored on the card.
• Some card issuers offer the option of registering the gift card at the store's website. Doing so gives you the ability to periodically check your card's balance online.

If you should become a victim of any crime, the first contact you should make is to file a report either with the Police Department or Sheriff’s Department, depending on where the incident happened.

Robbery Prevention Tips

• Carry your purse close to your body, or your wallet in an inside front pocket. Consider wearing a money pouch under your clothes.
• Never leave your bags unattended or behind your back where you cannot see them.
• Avoid displaying expensive items such as laptops, cameras, jewelry, and luggage that might draw attention. Your aim should be to blend in with the crowd, Not Stand Out.
• Stay especially alert and watch your bags carefully at all times. Don’t look distracted, lost or confused.
• Trust your instincts. Cross the street to avoid groups that are loitering or hanging out.
• Plan a safe, well–traveled route, and avoid desolate or poorly lighted areas.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone.
• Do not carry large amounts of cash.
• If you feel that you are being followed, walk to the nearest safe location.
• Give up your possessions. Don’t give up your life.
• If you are attacked, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately and give them a good description of the suspect and the direction of escape. This will improve the chances of an apprehension.