Residents are encouraged to follow these safety tips:
·
A single shopper is the best target for
theft. Always shop with a friend or
relative.
·
When going shopping, tell someone where you are
going and what time to expect you to return.
Also, make sure they know what you are wearing, as well as the type of vehicle
you are driving.
·
Shop during daylight hours. If you shop at night, park your vehicle in a
well-lit area.
·
Dress casually and comfortably and avoid wearing
expensive jewelry. If carrying cash,
keep it in your front pocket rather than in a purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a
pick-pocket to remove. Also store car
keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If
your purse is stolen, you will still be able to drive home.
·
Pay careful attention to your surroundings and
avoid overloading yourself with packages.
It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid
mishaps.
·
When returning to your vehicle, check around it
and in the back seat. Be aware of
strangers approaching you for any reason.
Have you car keys in your hand to avoid spending unnecessary time
unprotected from the security of your vehicle.
·
If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle
alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.
·
Keep a close watch on your credit card every
time you use it, and make sure you get
it back as quickly as possible.
·
Never write your PIN number on your credit card.
·
Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying
around.
·
Shield your credit card number so that others
around you can’t copy it or capture it on
a mobile telephone or other camera.
·
Only carry credit cards that you absolutely
need.
·
Shred anything with your credit card number
written on it.
·
If you’re planning to purchase online, make sure
the web page where you enter your credit card information is secure through SSL
(Secure Socket Layer). You can tell if
the web page is secure by looking for the gold lock or key icon at the bottom
corner of your browser window.
·
If you’re not comfortable submitting your
information through the internet, call the seller and give them your
information over the telephone. Never
send your credit card information via email.
·
Check the company out. Only do business with companies that provide
a physical address and telephone number.
·
Keep good records. Always print out a copy of any online
products or services you purchase.
Gift Card Fraud:
·
Never buy gift cards from online auction
sites. This is a large source of gift
card fraud. Many of the gift cards are
stolen, counterfeit or used.
·
Only buy gift cards directly from the store
issuing the gift card or from a secure retailer’s website.
·
Don’t buy gift cards off of publicly displayed
racks in retail stores. Only purchase
gift cards at the sales terminal from the cashier.
·
Always carefully examine both the front and back
of a gift card before you buy it. If you
see a PIN number, ask for a different card.
If the card looks like it has been tampered with in any way, put it
back.
·
Always ask the store cashier to scan the gift
card in front of you. This will
guarantee that your card is valid when you buy it and that it reflects the
balance you just charged it with.
·
Always keep your receipt as a proof of purchase
as long as there is money stored on the gift card.
·
If possible, register your gift card at the
store’s website
·
Never give your Social Security number, date of
birth or any other unneeded private information when purchasing a gift
card. No reputable company will ask for
this information.
Unfortunately, when shopping, people have a tendency to let their guard down. However, paying attention and taking precautions can help eliminate their chances of being victimized. Please be vigilant and call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious!
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