Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Shopping Safety Tips

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office wishes you a safe, happy Christmas and holiday season. With that being said, we need to keep safety at the top of your holiday shopping list. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware while shopping. This time of year, many people will be out shopping or traveling on vacation. When it comes to Christmas and holiday safety, keeping your home safe and secure is an important task. Please share this information with family, friends and neighbors.

When it comes to Christmas and holiday safety, keeping your home safe and secure is an important task. Many will be out shopping, traveling to see family or off to a holiday island getaway to truly unplug from the stress of the season.

If traveling please avoid posting your vacation and time-away-from-home plans on social media until you get back. When posting that you are, or about to be out of town on social media, it makes it all-too-easy for criminals to track your every move. So keep your plans private. If you are considering traveling this holiday season consider putting in a Vacation Watch through the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. More information can be found here http://mctxsheriff.org/.../executiv.../going_on_vacation.php

Speaking of social media and the internet, many will take to online shopping for all their holiday shopping needs. Don’t let boxes pile up at your door. The holiday season is the gift that keeps on giving for thieves who case neighborhoods, looking for unattended packages. If you can’t arrange for package deliveries when someone will be home to receive them, ask a neighbor to pick up the package. That way it will be kept safe and out of the hands of criminals.

Also, when it comes to online shopping, use only trusted sites that will encrypt important personal information. While online shopping is convenient, it sadly can provide a window into your life, making you an easy target for identity theft. Other safety tips:

•Avoid shopping at night or shopping alone. Take a friend or family member with you.

•Keep car doors locked and set your car alarm.

•Look for other cars or people in parking lots, and back out of parking spaces slowly.

•Save your receipts and monitor your credit card activity.

•Don't argue or fight over an item.

• If shopping with children, select a central location to meet in case you are separated. Teach kids how to identify and ask a security guard or employee for help if they're lost.

•If shopping at night, park in well-lit areas and make sure you know where you parked.

•DO NOT leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car or in view of the public. Lock in the trunk or out of sight if you cannot take them back to the house immediately.

•Be sure to locate your keys and have them in hand prior to going to your car.

•Keep a secure hold of your purse, handbag or shopping bags. Do not set them down unless someone you are with is watching them.

•When approaching your vehicle, do not be on your phone. Pay attention to your surroundings.

•Do not carry large amounts of currency. Use credit cards, preferably one if possible.

•Ask store security to escort you to your vehicle if you feel uneasy.

•Report ANY suspicious activity immediately.