With the Christmas shopping season well underway, Wellington County OPP officials suggest there is a number of ways to ensure purchases make it under the Christmas tree and not into the hands of an opportunistic thief.
Keep wallets and purses safely secured at all times.
Don’t carry large amounts of currency. Utilize debit and credit cards and remember to always protect and shield the PIN number.
If using cash, only obtain it from recognized financial institution banking machines and not stand alone ATMs as many of the stand-alone units are known to be targets of various card skimming devices.
Don’t carry large amounts of gifts. Take them to the car and secure them in a trunk or in the case of sport utility vehicles or pick-up trucks, place them on the floor and cover them with a blanket.
Always make sure the vehicle is locked.
When it comes to parking vehicles, an unlocked door or an open window is an invitation to thieves. The OPP “Lock It or Lose It” program reminds drivers to always:
– park in a well-lit area;
– roll up the vehicles’ windows;
– keep valuables out of sight; and
– lock the doors and pocket the keys.
“Please do your part in making this year’s holiday shopping season a safe and memorable experience – and remember crime is preventable,” police stated in a press release.
