While much of our shopping has migrated online, sometimes we still need to go to a physical store to purchase those special Christmas gifts. Like online, there are safety and crime prevention measures that you should take to ensure that you have a successful and safe shopping experience.
Parking and securing your car.
·
Park your car in a well-lit busy area,
near the front of the mall/store if possible.
·
Be sure nothing is showing inside the car.
Keep any purchases out of sight in the trunk.
·
LOCK YOUR CAR!!! If you have a remote key
fob, take it with you. Do not leave keys or key fobs in your car.!!
·
Make a note of where you parked so that
you can go to it without looking like you are lost.
·
On the way back have your car keys in your
hand so that you do not have to fumble to get them out of your pocket or purse.
·
When you get back inside, lock your car.
Walking around the street or mall.
·
Shop with some friends. There is strength in
numbers.
·
Be aware of your surroundings. Look out
for unusual activity.
·
Walk in busy, well-lit areas. Stay away
from isolated areas.
·
Don’t be distracted by your phone. Take out
your earbuds or earphones. It is easier to hear what is going on around you without
earbuds or earphones in your ears.
·
Keep your purse close to your body. Keep keys
and wallets in a front pocket.
·
Be aware of exit locations in case of an
emergency.
Shopping.
·
Don’t carry a lot of cash.
·
Avoid ATM’s. If you need to get cash, go
to an ATM inside the mall, in a store, or in a bank. Shield the keypad from
view by strangers. Keep the receipt, do not throw it away in a public trash
can.
·
When paying for your purchases, try using
your digital wallet, credit card, or debit card instead of cash.
·
Use just one credit/debit card. If your
account has a data breach, then only one credit/debit card is affected.
·
If you are eating at the food court, keep
your packages near you, under the table if possible.
·
Save your receipts. Check your bank/credit/debit
card account regularly for unusual activity.
·
If you have purchased a large item, ask
for help loading it into your car.
For more safe shopping tips, check out the following
links:
KOMO News:
State Farm Insurance:
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/family/black-friday-shopping-safety-list
The Hearty Soul:
https://theheartysoul.com/holiday-shopping-safety-tips/
Everett Police Department:
https://www.everettwa.gov/1095/Vehicle-Prowl-Prevention
https://www.everettwa.gov/1092/Personal-Safety
