Some Tips for personal security while shopping

Tips about Personal Security While Shopping

These are suggestions to help reduce your chance of being targetted for crimes while you are shopping.

Try to avoid carrying cash while shopping. Instead use a charge account, followed by (in order of preference): check, credit card, or cash.
Do not overdress while shopping and avoid wearing jewelry.
Arrange for delivery of parcels if possible.
Locate a small table near the front door of your home on which to place parcels while you lock the door.
Use the car trunk, not the passenger compartment for storing parcels.
Arrange to purchase expensive items last, to minimize the time you will be required to safeguard them.
Shop with a friend whenever possible.
Park in a well lit area or under a light at night. Avoid bushes that provide cover for a criminal. When choosing a parking spot, avoid suspicious looking persons and avoid parking next to occupied vehicles. Deliberately park close to the building you will be entering or park near the main flow of traffic; avoid the edges of the parking lot.
Select a secure parking lot, especially if your shopping is likely to extend through sundown.
Never expose valuables or cash in the parking lot and do not leave valuables or personal identification in the car. Place packages in the trunk only if you cannot have them delivered to your home.
Never leave a pet or a child unattended in a vehicle.
Lock all doors when exiting your vehicle. If in an attended garage, leave only your ignition key with the attendant.
Walk purposefully through the lot to communicate confidence. Do not walk alone in a lot especially at night. If you are alone or feel uncomfortable, ask a guard to escort you to your vehicle.
Avoid overloading yourself with bags when returning to your vehicle. Have your keys ready before entering the lot.
If you suspect that somebody is following you, go to the nearest populated area and find a security guard or law enforcement officer.
Report any crime in the parking lot.
Check your back seat before getting into your vehicle, then lock all doors.
If you have car trouble, it is better to return to a populated area and find a phone or security guard rather than accept a stranger's help.
Do not put your wallet on top of your bag or in a pocket where it is visible and accessible. Be alert if someone brushes against you and identify who it was in case you have been pickpocketed.
Do not permit your children to spend extended time at malls. Never leave young children unattended in a mall, especially in crowded areas or rest rooms.
Report any disruptive or illegal teenage behavior that your experience or witness.
Nighttime shopping introduces perils of its own. There are more muggers, pickpockets, robbers and drunks with fewer clerks.
Keep an eye on your purse, bag, or other packages. Hold purses under your arm and never put them on a store counter or in a dressing area or rest room. Do not leave a purse unattended in a supermarket cart. Keep your purse off the floor when using a public rest room and avoid hanging it on over the door hook.
Search for a purse or billfold that has been lost in a store. Thieves usually discard all but money and in some instances credit cards.
If your stolen purse contains keys and ID's change your locks.
Be sure that only your own credit card charge has been validated.
Beware the switch of a stolen credit card for your own.
Do not go to self service, unattended service outlets alone at night.
Be cautious when using Automatic Teller Machines. If you notice suspicious looking people hanging out, wait until they leave or visit another branch.
Select random, difficult to guess identification numbers for use with bank cards.
If you utilize several different bank cards, select different ID numbers for each.

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