Christmas is a time to relax and have fun. Many of us will be out and about more than usual – Christmas shopping, attending parties and other social events – and the last thing we need is to become a victim of crime. To help avoid this, here are seven tips to help you stay safe:
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Carry only the credit card and/or bank card that you will need to make your purchases.
- If your credit card is lost, stolen, or misused, notify your credit card issuer at once. Keep a complete list of your credit cards at home, along with the 1-800 numbers that you will need to report a lost or stolen card.
- If you need to use an ATM while shopping, try to use one located inside a busy, well-lit location, and withdraw only the amount of cash you need. Also, protect your PIN number by shielding the ATM keypad from anyone who may be standing near you.
- If you have a cell phone, be sure to take it with you while shopping for added security.
- Teach children to immediately go to a store clerk or security guard and ask for help if they become separated from you in a store or shopping mall.
- Consolidate purchases into one or two large shopping bags so that you can keep track of everything. Never leave your purchases unattended, even for a minute.
- If you are a victim of a crime, report it to the police immediately.
