MIRAMAR POLICE DEPARTMENT
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
M
iramar Police Department would like to wish the community a safe and joyous holiday season. We suggest following these prevention tips to prevent thieves and other criminals from ruining your holidays:
a shopping cart. Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, “con-artists” may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
possible, use credit/debit cards. Try to shop with friends or relatives. There is safety in numbers.
used. Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
Notify the credit card issuer immediately ▸ wearing expensive jewelry or car▸ Avoid if your credit card is lost, stolen or misrying large amounts of cash. Whenever
leave valuables in your car and ▸ Don’t always make sure to lock your doors.
Covering items to hide them does not work and may only draw attention. If you must leave valuable items in your car while out and about, place items out of sight before reaching your destination and make sure you are not followed.
returning to your auto (or home), ▸ When have your keys in your hand, ready to open the door.
extra careful with purses and wal▸ Be lets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps or sitting in
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or family member who will be there to accept them.
sure ▸ Make you have the
tracking information for your packages and monitor it. If your packages do not arrive as scheduled, contact the sender immediately.
with kids? Teach them to go to ▸ If available, request a signature delivery ▸ Shopping a store clerk or security guard if you get option. This will require the delivery separated.
▸
Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
Shopping online? Review our package theft prevention tips to safeguard your packages:
▸ ▸ Have packages delivered to a neighbor Have packages delivered to your workplace, if possible.
driver to obtain a signature or deliver the package at another time.
a specific drop-off time and ▸ Request date from the carrier, if possible. to have your packages held at ▸ Arrange the delivery service site for pick up. the delivery service to leave your ▸ Ask packages by the side/back door or
enclosed porch where packages are out of sight.
If you see suspicious activity, call the police immediately.
