For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1500128 |
| Date Issued: | Nov 24, 2015 - 9:00am |
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Sheriff's Office offers shopping safety tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just days away. As the excitement of the holiday shopping season builds, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office reminds residents to stay focused on personal safety. Here are some tips to keep in mind before heading out to the stores:
First and foremost, stay alert. Do not get so caught up in the shopping frenzy that you lose awareness of your surroundings. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement or store security.
Severe winter weather is forecast for Black Friday. Use extra caution while driving, dress appropriately and be prepared for cold and icy conditions.
- Avoid shopping alone; there is added safety when shopping with a companion.
- Always lock vehicles and keep valuables out of sight, preferably in the trunk or locked compartment.
- Before sunrise and after sunset, park and walk in well-lit areas.
- Stay alert to your surroundings. Take time to look around for possible suspicious persons, vehicles, and/or situations.
- When in crowded places, be alert for potential thieves. Don't overload yourself with packages. Maintain visibility and mobility to avoid potential threats.
- Be wary of unsolicited phone calls. The holiday season is notorious for con-artists who use this "season of giving" to take advantage of your kindness.
- When possible, avoid carrying large amount of cash and valuables, and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
- When using the new "chip" credit cards, make sure they have not been left in the card reader before leaving the checkout counter.
- Keep close track of all your personal belongings and never leave them unattended.
- Keep a record of all your credit card numbers in a secure place at home.
- When shopping with children, keep a close eye on them at all times. Consider coaching them to go to a store clerk or security guard if they become separated and be sure they know their first and last name so they can advise someone who they are.
- Give children a contact phone number that they can carry on their person in case they do become lost.
The growing popularity of Cyber Monday makes this an important time for shoppers to increase their awareness of the risks associated with shopping online.
"Great savings can often be obtained by shopping online," Sergeant Dennis Carry of the Washoe County Sheriff's Cyber Crimes Unit said. "But even when we take every precaution, the reality is we have no control over who holds that data on the other end."
Sergeant Carry said that there is often no way for a consumer to know if data will be breached by a hacker once it is held in cyberspace. He offered the following cyber safety tips to help residents shop smart and stay safe online:
- Read your credit card statements and bank statements as soon as you get them to make sure there are no unauthorized charges. If there is a discrepancy, report it immediately.
- Always type a website address yourself or access it through trusted search engines.
- Never click on an email link, taking you to a purchase site. The link may take you to a fraudulent site.
- Don't allow online sites to maintain your credit card information. Although it's convenient, this is risky.
- When having items shipped to your residence, make sure they are taken inside timely, preventing thieves from taking them or realizing nobody is home and potentially leaving yourself exposed to a burglary.
- Whenever possible, use a credit card instead of debit card or check. Credit cards have an additional level of consumer protection in the event of a fraudulent purchase or disputed transactions.
- If it just looks too good to be true, it probably is.
More safety tips are available from the Sheriff's Office by:
- Visiting the WCSO on Facebook
- Installing the free WCSO app from the appropriate app store for your device
- Following the Sheriff's Office on Twitter at: @washoesheriff
- Visiting the Staying Safe page at Washoesheriff.com
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.