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Holiday shoppers take precautions
By Krista Goerte
Published November 28, 2009
‘Tis the season to be jolly — and cautious when out on the town shopping.
Christmas time is the season of lots of holiday shopping, requiring a need for shoppers to be even more vigilant than normal to prevent theft.
In addition to being safe when out physically shopping, Internet shopping, too, presents its own set of problems.
The Paris Police Department is asking shoppers be safe this holiday season by following some practical guidelines.
When shopping in stores, keeping track of a purse or wallet is one of the most important steps a person can take, according to a press release issued by Matt Birch, crime prevention officer for the police department.
“For wallet users, keep your wallet in a safe and secure pocket and constantly feel or check for it,” the release said.
For those who carry purses, keeping them strapped to a shoulder, front or side is the best way to keep them close. Keep it in a position that will make it harder for a thief to steal wallets, credit cards or checkbooks.
Never leave a wallet or purse unattended such as placing it loose in a buggy. If a shopper turns their head or steps away from the cart, the purse would be an easy target.
Also, keep a record of the contents of a wallet. If the wallet does go missing, immediately call the credit card issuer or ID card issuing agency.
To stay on top of possible overcharging with a debit or credit card, keep and file receipts so that they can be compared to monthly bank statements.
Paying by a credit card rather than by a check or debit card can also prevent overcharge abuse because checks and debit card transactions use funds available from a bank account. Credit cards do not, offering greater protection against fraudulent purchases. Unauthorized charges on a monthly credit card statement can normally be more easily disputed without an immediate effect on a bank account.
If shopping at multiple stores, make sure packages are not visible in the car, preferably locked in the trunk.
Make sure the car is locked up and take the keys; do not leave them in the vehicle.
For safer online shopping, keeping to well-known, trusted and well-trafficked sites is a good way to stay out of trouble.
Watch the Web browser address, and make sure it is the real site. Typing the actual address directly into the browser is the safest way to make sure the site is the correct one and not a scam site. Avoid clicking on links or advertisements on Web sites or in unsolicited e-mails because thieves can create fake online retail Web pages that appear identical to a reputable store’s Web site.
A security icon (a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol) in the browser is a good indication it is a safe site, in addition to checking that the Web site address begins with “https”.
If in doubt, contact the Better Business Bureau, which is a good source for researching the legitimacy of a company and its history of complaints.
When shopping online, make sure the company offers a guarantee and/or a warranty.
This adds a dimension of reputability with a detailed guarantee when purchasing products online without having seen or tested them.
Also, read the shipping, return and privacy policies before making purchases. The policies will provide information on what the seller is gathering from the individual, how the information will be used and how the process can be stopped. Avoid transactions for online companies without a privacy policy.
As extra insurance, be sure to print a copy of each receipt or confirmation e-mail received.
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