How to Shop Safely

Unfortunately for those looking forward to snapping up great deals this Black Friday, consumer fraud and theft never take a holiday. Each year, crime tends to increase throughout the nation as Christmas and Chanukah approach. This is because people are more likely to be carrying large sums of cash or packages of expense gifts.  An important part of being a smart consumer is knowing how to protect yourself from theft no matter the date on the calendar. Luckily, the National Crime Prevention Council—think McGruff, the crime dog—provides these tips for shopping safely:

            While shopping in stores:

•  Do not take out your cash/credit card/ checkbook until the cashier asks for payment. It is very easy to drop your wallet in a long line.
•  Watch out for "shoulder surfing." This is when people peek over your shoulder to get your credit card number, bank account number, driver’s license number, etc. (sometimes snapping a photo with a camera phone). Cover your card number at all times, and do not give it to the cashier face up.
• Keep your wallet in your front pants pocket or your purse as close to you as possible with the zipper shut. Pickpockets use crowds to their advantage and swipe wallets in long lines.

      In parking lots:

• Do not walk to your car with your arms full. Thieves target people who are weighed down by packages.
• Do not leave bags and gifts visible through the car windows. Take your new items home or put them in a locked trunk. The same goes for cellphones and GPS units.

            While shopping online:

• Update your anti-virus, anti-spam, and anti-spyware software. This keeps you protected from the latest threats.
• Consider shopping with a pre-paid gift card. This way your regular card number cannot be stolen by a hacker.
• Only purchase items on secure Web sites. Look for a padlock symbol at the bottom of the screen or "https" in the URL address. The “s” means secure.
•  Do not buy from bargain or auction Web sites that are unfamiliar to you.
•  Do not give your passwords to anyone. If an e-mail claiming to represent your bank asks for account information and/or asks you to click on a link, they are likely a scammer. Only provide banking information if you initiated a call to your bank.
• Save all your receipts and online order confirmations. Compare them to your bank or credit card statements so you can tell if you have been overcharged.

           Just in case:

•  Set up a meeting place when shopping with family in a large or crowded store.
•  If shopping with a younger sibling, tell him/her to find a mall employee or security guard if they get lost.
•  Make a handwritten list with the phone numbers of all your banks and credit card companies. List your card numbers and expiration dates. Always keep the list at home in a secure place, like a family safe or locked file cabinet. This way you can quickly cancel all your cards should your wallet be stolen.

These tips can be helpful all year long. Be vigilant as you shop and keep your money and personal items close. By being prepared and knowing what to watch out for, you and your family can feel more secure and can better enjoy your holiday. 

READERS, what do you think?

What are other ways people try to steal in crowded stores?

References:

National Crime Prevention Council. (2011). Safety first holiday safety tips for last minute shoppers. Retrieved from http://www.ncpc.org/about/news/safety-first-holiday-safety-tips-for-last-minute-shoppers.