Many holiday shoppers are at risk of falling prey to thieves and con artists during the holiday season, officials say.
“We urge people to be alert and cautious about what’s going on around them,” Everett Police Department crime prevention officer Aaron Snell said.
Two extra Everett police officers will patrol parking lots until the day after Christmas, Snell said.
A few simple steps will help shoppers stay safe, Snell said.
Try to shop and use ATMs during daylight hours. If you need to shop in the evening, bring a friend and stay in well-lit areas.
If you need to leave gifts or any other valuables in your car while you shop, keep them out of sight. Don’t put purses or cell phones in shopping carts or on top of your car.
If you feel uncomfortable with a person or place, get away. Beware when strangers approach you: Con artists often use distraction. Scam artists often pretend to be gathering money for charities, and thieves pose as delivery couriers, Snell said. Don’t open your door to strangers, and ask for identification if you are expecting a delivery.
Don’t give credit card numbers over the phone if you weren’t the one who made the call.
Be especially careful around mall parking lots, Lynnwood police spokeswoman Shannon Sessions said.
Remember where you parked so you don’t have to wander around looking for your car. Try to park as close to the entrance of a store as possible.
Make sure nobody is in your car before you get in and lock all doors immediately when you are inside. If you are leaving a mall alone at night, request a security officer to escort you.
If you have a removable car stereo, take it out.
Choose ATMs located inside a mall or a grocery store and only withdraw the amount of cash you need. Don’t display large sums of cash or other valuables in public.
Stay alert in crowds and in public restrooms.
Keep bags and purses close to your body. Also, separate cash from credit cards and only take those credit cards you need for shopping. Keep your keys in your pocket without an ID.
Don’t be an easy target for the bad guys. “The No. 1 crime deterrent is when the opportunity to commit that crime is taken away,” Snell said.
Everett Police Department has put together a brochure on holiday safety, which can be found at www.everettwa.org/police/upload_directory/pdf/ prevention/Holiday.pdf.
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