Claremont-La Verne Shoppers! Use these Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

CLAREMONT, CA — Are you out and about on Black Friday, post Thanksgiving weekend and all through the holidays?

Sales shopping can incite a frenzy of people and thieves will be watching according to local sheriff's and police. Here are a few safety tips for shopping this holiday season:

• Lock your vehicles and put your items in the trunk if possible.

Thieves know that a blanket covering a large bulky area in the back seat/cargo area of an SUV is probably hiding multiple items to steal.

• Don’t carry large amounts of cash to be seen by others.

Keep your wallet and purse close to your body to deter thieves. Don’t leave purses in the child seating area of a shopping cart. As soon as you turn to look at something it offers easy access for a thief to steal.

• Don’t pull out your credit card or ID until asked by the cashier.

Waiting to pull out your information can help to avoid shoulder surfers obtaining your information.

• Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious persons or activity.

If you see something, say something applies at airports, shopping malls and in parking lots and garages.

• Shopping with several people is safer than shopping alone.

On Black Friday, Thanksgiving weekend and all through the Holiday Season shopping in groups is preferred and safer according to the Los Alamitos Police Department.

• Shield your PIN when using your debit card.

Always remember to be mindful of anyone watching when you swipe your debit or credit card, and cover the PIN pad before you enter your code.

• Lock it up, tight!

Make sure to lock all the doors and windows of your house if you plan to be gone for a long day of shopping and have a neighbor keep an eye on the place if possible.

• Use good parking karma.

There is no referee to judge who was entitled the open parking space first. Sometimes, walking to the shops is a good thing. Always remember to park under lights when shopping at night.

• Exercise patience.

This holiday season, when shopping in malls or box stores, remember that lines come with the territory. There will be long lines, minimal parking and a lot of patience needed.

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