Henderson Police want everyone to have a safe holiday season and not fall victim to criminals while shopping. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) offers some holiday shopping safety tips:
· Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
· Shop online with companies you know and trust. Check a company’s background if you are not familiar with it. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
· Save all receipts. Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in.
· Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as onetime or multiuse disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction sites.
· Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
· Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
· Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
· Do not leave packages visible through your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.
· Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
· If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you get separated. Select a central meeting place and make sure they know they can ask mall personnel or store security employees if they need help.
· If you leave a store or a mall to put packages into your car and plan to keep shopping, think about moving your car to another parking space so if a thief is watching, he will think you are leaving.
