Holiday Crime Prevention Tips For Your Money

During the holidays, the potential for thefts and robberies increase. More people are out and about, and they are carrying more gifts and money than during other times of the year.  With this in mind, you should practice the following holiday safety tips:

• ·         Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. If you must leave packages in your car, put them in the trunk. Keep receipts with you.
• ·         Do not leave electronic devices such as cell phone, MP3 players, GPS devices, and digital cameras in plain view.  When exiting your vehicle take these items with you or lock them in your trunk.
• ·         Carry your valuables wisely. Do not keep cash in your wallet. Instead, keep it in an inside pocket and only carry the credit cards that you know you will need.
• ·         Avoid overloading yourself with bags and packages. Have your keys in your hand ready to use when you leave the store.  If you see a suspicious person or group around your car, use your remote to activate the car alarm.
• ·         Try to complete all shopping before dark.  If you must shop after dark, use the buddy system and whenever possible, park and walk in well-lit areas. Be aware of your surroundings, especially the people around you.
• ·         Carry your purse close to you, with the opening or flap towards your body. Never leave a purse unattended in a shopping cart.
• ·         Do not keep a wallet, credit cards or cash in a backpack. If you are in a crowd, consider carrying the backpack in front of you.
• ·         Protect your credit card numbers and other personal information. Carefully dispose of receipts that have a credit card number on them. Never provide credit card information in response to unsolicited calls or emails.
• ·         Keep a record of your credit card numbers so you will have your numbers available when reporting the crime.