Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

We cannot be too safe during the holidays when shopping at local retailers or at a large shopping mall. Statistics show that crime always rises during the holiday shopping season.

Here are some tips to help keep you safe this holiday season:

1. Stay alert to your surroundings. When you park your vehicle, do not leave things lying on the seats inside to entice an onlooker. Never open your trunk prior to shopping to put items inside. When you return to your vehicle, be aware of anyone that might be too close in proximity to you. Always lock your vehicle and have your key or opening device handy prior to reaching the vehicle.
2. Do not carry large amounts of cash on you. Keep cash in your front pockets or if you must carry a purse or bag, wear a shoulder bag or messenger bag style that crosses your body. Never set your purse in the shopping cart. This is an easy steal for a thief.
3. If you must return your cart inside the store, never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Under NO circumstance should you leave a child unattended in your vehicle.
4. Shop during daylight hours if possible. If you are shopping at night, shop with other people and carry personal defense.
5. Avoid crowded areas. Thieves often pick pockets in crowded areas.
6. Don't wear expensive jewelry or advertise your financial status in public by the things you wear or carry.
7. Protect your debit and credit cards. It is safer to use your debit card as a credit card when making transactions at a store. Hold your card facing downward not to allow others to take a picture with any device and use your number.
   
8. If you are paying and the next person in line proceeds to the checkout area in your personal space, do not complete your transaction until you have asked nicely to make your purchase in private. Some people do not think and step ahead to the checkout area. If you ask for some personal space in a polite manner, most people will comply.
   

Have a safe and happy holiday season by protecting yourself.

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