Be Joyous But Be Safe

Washington, DC, December 7, 2015 – It is the most wonderful time of the year, for some. For others, not so much.  Whether the holiday shopping season brings joy or grief, one thing is for certain, you will most likely do some shopping. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) wants shoppers to be safe and to protect their families and property.  The NCPC website offers a host of easy to use crime prevention tips that will help make this holiday shopping season a safe one.

The tips address areas such as shopping in a store and online, walking to and from your car, and shopping with small children. The following tips and more are on the NCPC website.

• 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.
• 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 in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.
• If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you are separated from each other.
• Before surfing the Internet, secure your personal computers by updating your security software.
• Keep your personal information private and your password secure. Do not respond to requests to “verify” your password or credit card information unless you initiated the contact. Legitimate businesses will not contact you in this manner.
• Use secure websites for purchases. Look for the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen or “HTTPS” in the URL address.
• Be sure to review NCPC’s holiday safety tips and visit the NCPC website for more easy-to-use tips.

About the National Crime Prevention Council

The National Crime Prevention Council is the nonprofit leader in crime prevention. For more than 35 years, our symbol of safety, McGruff the Crime Dog®, has delivered easy-to-use crime prevention tips that protect what matters most—you, your family, and your community. Since 1982, NCPC has continuously provided the American public with comprehensive educational materials, training programs, and effective crime prevention messaging, delivered in large part through its vast network of more than 10,000 state and local law enforcement agencies, crime prevention associations, community groups, foundations, and corporate partners.  For more information on how NCPC can be a public safety expert for you or how to “Take A Bite Out of Crime®,” visit www.ncpc.org.

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