Be safe on Your Holiday Shopping

The best time to get along together with your love ones holiday season. Gathering with friends and family and finding a one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone. It’s a time when children essence off to sleep with visions of new toys, and parents conspire to hide presents where curious little eyes can’t find them. It’s a time of joy, cheer, and goodwill. And it’s also the best time when criminals dream up new ways to take advantage of exhausted and distracted holiday shoppers. Here are some holiday shopping safety tips to help you and your family enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season without worrying for those criminal.

We all know that holiday shopping can be a lot of fun. On the other hand, it can also be stressful, and it’s easy to get let your guard down when caught up in the commotion of big shopping days like mostly the Black Friday. But before you join the crowds of eager holiday shopping, kindly read this list of holiday shopping safety tips to make sure that your holiday shopping experience is fun and safe.

Bring only enough amount of money that you need when you go shopping. Don’t carry large amounts of cash, and try to limit the number of credit cards you carry. If you carry a purse, keep it on your shoulder and close to your body. For an extra protection, wear it under your coat or jacket so it’s not an easy target for pickpockets in the place of crowded stores. If you carry a wallet, put it in your front pocket not on your back, when you plan to go out for a holiday shopping trip.

Try to shop during the day time. It’s tempting to go holiday shopping in the early morning hours to get the best deals or late at night to get along with the crowds. But, there’s safety in numbers – and department store parking lots are much safer in the daylight when there are lots of people around. Avoid shopping after dark, that is too dangerous and try to bring a friend or family member with you when you are plan to have a holiday shopping.

Dress as simple as you can. Decide on more casual, comfortable clothing when you do your holiday shopping. Showy or expensive-looking clothing and jewelry can attract the wrong kind of attention from potential thieves. Put on some sweats or jeans and save the designer collaboration for the next holiday party.

Purchase gift cards from a good reputation sources. Gift cards are always popular holiday purchases. From specialty shops and department stores to restaurants and movie theaters, there’s a gift card out there that’s perfect for someone on your list. But you think it is a great idea when a $200 gift card for $20 just doesn’t make sense – high possibility that the card is fake or stolen. So beware of a deal that seems too good to be true, especially when visiting online auction sites

Use caution when you do your shopping online. According to http://PCWorld.com, about 114 million people will avoid the crowded shopping malls and do at least some of their holiday shopping online. If you plan to purchase some of your holiday gifts online, make sure that you have updated anti-virus and anti-spyware programs on your computer. And never buy something from a site that you don’t trust or not proven by the other online shopper.

Be aware of your surroundings. The key to holiday shopping safety is consciousness. Criminals target people who look unfocused, so make sure that you know the entire thing you do and what is going on around you. Stay alert and don’t be afraid to tell mall or department store security personnel if you feel like you are being followed by a certain person. It is more comfortable on your side when you are shopping in a place that you can do anything without an eye who you who is staring after you.