this holiday season

Put aFREEZEon Winter Holiday Fires

It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.

More than half of the home More than 1/3 of home

Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.

1 of every 52 reported home

1 in every 4

at least 3 feet away

CITY OF CAMROSE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Stay on your toes this holiday season

By Lori Larsen

This time of year, the retail industry ramps up for the holiday season with purchasing reaching yeartime highs. Unfortunately, along with the increase in sales comes an increase in crime. Camrose Police Service offers the following tips on how to prevent yourself from falling victim to fraud, theft and scams.

Gift card fraud

Gift cards have become a popular way to give, especially during the pandemic, when personal gift-giving may be a challenge. Unfortunately, where there is a will, the criminals will also find a way.

“When purchasing gift cards, please be sure to closely inspect the card to ensure that it has not been tampered with,” warned CPS Crime Prevention and Community Relations officer Constable Kelly Bauer.

“Criminals are stealing gift cards, altering them by carefully attaching a different bar code and then placing the cards back on store shelves.”

According to Bauer, customers then purchase the altered cards, activating the attached bar code, which actually activates another gift card held by the criminal. “This fraud predominately occurs during Christmas, when there is a gap in time between when the gift card is purchased and when it is used by the person it is gifted to, and it is happening all across Canada, including Camrose.”

Bauer reiterated the importance of inspecting any gift cards you purchase to ensure the bar code has not been altered.

If you suspect the card has been altered, bring it to the attention of the retailer.

Theft

The best defence is good offence and, as always, CPS reminds residents to lock their homes and vehicles.

“An unlocked vehicle or home is an open invitation for theft,” advised Constable Bauer.

As well as locking your vehicles, Bauer also suggested not leaving parcels and packages visibly noticeable in your vehicles. “Lock them in the trunk or locking box of your truck or tuck them under the seat.”

Bauer also suggested using anti-theft devices on your vehicles and always lock your garages, sheds and other outbuildings on your property.

“It is such a simple form of prevention and deterrent.”

Package theft

An increase in online shopping has opened the door (no pun intended) to a whole new type of lucrative crime–package theft.

Nearly one in four (23 per cent) of Canadians have been victims of package theft, with one in ten Canadians having a package worth more than $250 stolen at some point. The average value of stolen packages is $113, which equates to $784 million worth of products that have been stolen from porches across Canada.

“Because many delivery companies leave parcels outside of homes on front porches or on doorsteps, the opportunities are boundless for criminals,” noted Bauer, adding tips on how a person can protect themselves against this new crime. • Use smart package lockers where available. • Install security cameras. • Have packages delivered to your workplace/office. • Have a trusted neighbour or friend pick up the parcel or have it delivered to an address of someone you know will be available to receive it. • Arrange with the delivery service to text or telephone you just prior to delivery. • Get an Amazon key for your package delivery. • Require a signature on delivery. • Reroute or reschedule delivery. • Request a vacation package hold. • Insure your purchase.

Constable Bauer concluded that everyone has the opportunity to be their own best line of defence against crime by taking every possible step in preventing it from occurring in the first place.