Common Holiday Crimes and How to Protect Yourself
The Holidays are a beautiful time of year, filled with joy and Holiday cheer. There is a dark side as well to this season, and that’s crime. With the pressure on for presents, stress about family or lack of companionship, and the general winter blues, crime is a common occurrence this time of year.
As a concrete fencing company, part of our job is security. That’s why we know what crimes to look out for during the Holidays. Here are the most common holiday crimes, and how to protect yourself from them.
Most Common Holiday Crimes Seen by Our Concrete Fencing Company
Robbery
Theft is common during the holidays. The expectation to provide presents puts the pressure on, and the extra spending going on encourages criminal behavior. The best way to prevent theft is to be on alert.
- Be aware of your surroundings when leaving stores and in unpopulated areas
- Check your car before entering to make sure it is unoccupied
- Keep your doors locked and windows closed
Identity Fraud
Identity theft is a huge issue during the holidays. It is essential that you are careful with your identity and make it a point to be aware.
- Keep a close eye on your bank statements. If possible, check them weekly online during the holidays so that fraud can quickly and easily be detected.
- Keep your identification, social security card, and all credit cards in a safe place only you can access.
- Do not share your information with anyone unless you are positive you are in a secure situation.
- Be aware of your surroundings when withdrawing money from public ATMs.
Home Burglary
Home burglary is an invasive crime. Many home burglars are professionals, but you can still take precautions and be aware of suspicious activity.
- If you live in a gated community, make sure no one is around or trying to sneak in when you enter your security code.
- Keep your home locked up tight
- Be aware of your surroundings when you come and go. Many burglars will observe your behavior before breaking in, so if you see someone watching you or parking for long periods of time near your home, be on alert and notify the authorities
- Keep a light on, and do your best not to eliminate signs of life. Most burglars will not break into a home when there are people home.
Scams
We’ve all gotten the scam phone calls and fake representations, but they are at an all-time high during the holiday season.
- Never give money over the phone to a charitable organization or company unless you have done your research
- Set up a day and time to call them back. Most scammers will not give out contact information.
At Permacast, we wish you a happy and safe holiday season! Follow these tips to keep yourself protected.
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