The holiday season is a time for family, joy, and celebration, but it’s also a season where vigilance and security are needed. Not everyone uses the holidays to celebrate and while shopping, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) reminds shoppers that personal safety depends upon making smart decisions while shopping and celebrating.
Safety While Shopping
Shopping with a friend is an effective method for deterring theft in parking lots or dimly lit areas where thieves know that shoppers routinely exit stores with their arms filled with expensive gifts. If no one is available to accompany you, consider asking one of the employees to help transport the merchandise to the car when shopping is complete. There’s safety in numbers.
In addition, don’t take extra credit cards or large amounts of cash shopping unless necessary. Enjoying those Black Friday deals is exciting, but not if the $500 in cash you brought for that big screen television is stolen by a pickpocket while you wait in line for the store to open. Alternatively, consider getting a multiuse disposable credit card for the transaction so if the card is stolen, the thief won’t be able to compromise the account or drain its funds.
While shopping, vigilance should extend beyond your immediate surroundings. Always tell a security guard if you see something suspicious. Even if your observation doesn’t prove the existence of any criminal action, it can never hurt to be safe. Remain observant whether you’re inside the store shopping or whether you’re walking out to the car.
When exiting the store, always ensure your wallet is safely tucked away and that you remain alert and aware while transporting merchandise to the vehicle. Staring down at a smart phone or fumbling in your pocket or purse for keys may give a thief the opportunity to approach.
Online Shopping Safety
Smart personal safety techniques must also extend to shopping activities online during the holiday season. Most shoppers would love to get their hands on a deal to save lots of money on gifts, but this is the season when criminals make fake websites to lure shoppers. Stick with major retailers or businesses that are rated by the BBB, to reduce the risk of accidentally shopping at a criminal’s website.
Additionally, never purchase anything online after clicking on a link in an email. Always type in the URL of the website directly, to avoid being taken to a fake website that’s designed to look like the real thing. Also, make sure that online purchases are handled on secure servers. This means the web address should read “https” in the address bar. The “s” in the URL means the site is secure.
Before confirming any purchases, always run a virus scan and make sure that the computer’s software and protection is up to date. Vigilance during the buying process might be for naught if a hacker is able to infect the computer with a virus that reveals keystrokes and shares credit card information. Run virus scans regularly during the holidays if you plan on making credit card purchases.
The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time with family, but crime increases during the holidays. Personal safety requires constant vigilance whether shopping takes place in a brick and mortar establishment or through an online website. It’s vital to employ safe shopping habits at all times; however, the holidays require additional care.
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