Special offer

Safe Christmas Shopping tips

By
Real Estate Agent with Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage RECO Reg# 4325734

Christmas Shopping

Christmas Shopping season is fast approaching, the malls seem to be more crowded than normal, even on weekdays (and our neighbours to the south will be kicking off the season with Black Friday).
Crowded Malls
Here are some tips to help you stay safe and to prevent you becoming a victim of crime this Christmas season:

  • If you use cash, obtain your cash from recognized financial institutions and avoid stand alone bank machines (which can be targets of various skimming devices).  Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
  • Know how to recognize legal tender (Canadian and American bills have various counterfeiting prevention features).
  • Keep your wallets and purses safely secured at all times.
  • When using credit and debit cards, always protect you PIN and shield entry (from prying eyes and/or surveillance devices).
  • Do not carry large amounts of gifts.  Secure them in your vehicles trunk and place in your home as soon as possible.  Keep them out of plain sight.
  • Park your vehicle in a well lit area.  Always lock your doors.
  • Above all, be aware and trust your instincts.  Report suspicious people, activity or behaviour to mall security, store owners or workers or the police.

In most cases, crime is preventable, be safe and have a Happy and Safe Christmas Shopping season.

Comments (20)

Lori Gardiner
RE/MAX River's Edge - Bristol, RI
GRI, SRS, ABR, e-PRO

Hi Chris,

Great post and tips!  Wish you and your family happy holidays!

Nov 23, 2011 12:21 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Chris --- a good list and a very timely reminder.  It might be good to travel in pairs too....safety in numbers.   

Nov 23, 2011 12:35 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Thank You Lori, Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving and if you go shopping Black Friday, shop safe.

Nov 23, 2011 12:44 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Michael, thank you for the added tip. Happy Thanksgiving.

Nov 23, 2011 12:45 AM
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Good Morning Chris, thank you for the holiday shopping tips.  I hope you and your family have a wonderful thanksgiving.

Nov 23, 2011 01:06 AM
Gina Tufano
Ask Gina & Company with Pearson Smith Realty - Sterling, VA
Ask Gina & Company, Northern Virginia Real Estate

Great list of tips! Mall security will often accompany you to your car if you feel uncomfortable, people just have to ask!

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

Nov 23, 2011 01:23 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Chris you couldn't have posted this at a better time! Sometimes with the gift shopping cruising through our brains we get a little sloppy with our normal cautious behaviour.  Just last week a co-worker found a lady going through his car for loose change because they had neglected to lock the doors when leaving!

Nov 23, 2011 01:49 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Captain Wayne, hope you and yours have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving

Nov 23, 2011 07:23 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Gina, I am a strong proponent of listening to that voice inside of you... If you feel uncomfortable, be careful, ask for help

Nov 23, 2011 07:42 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Al and Peggy, most of my posts are common knowledge that we sometimes need to be reminded of...

Nov 23, 2011 07:43 AM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Good evening, Chris. All very good points. I always keep my wallet in my front pocket. Hard to pick...

Nov 23, 2011 10:22 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

 Chris: These are some very good safety tips for folks shopping.  Now we have to worry about someone being able to get your credit card information when your card is being swiped or in your wallet. I think cash is the way to go.

Nov 23, 2011 11:20 AM
Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker
Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX
Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

Excellent tips!  Most are common sense, but that seems to be lacking today.  Thanks for the reminders.

 

Nov 24, 2011 01:26 AM
Brett Reichel
Homebridge Financial Services - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
MLO 210215

Great advice - thanks for the timely reminders!

Nov 24, 2011 01:31 AM
Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

Very good and timely tips. Worthy of several reblogs and you will get one from me on this!

Nov 24, 2011 01:37 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Chris:  These are excellent tips and a good reminder that we need to keep alert as we shop during the holiday season.

 

Nov 24, 2011 01:59 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Chris....Great Advice and a timely post for us all as we approach the Christmas Shopping Season.

Merry Christmas-Fred Carver

 

Nov 24, 2011 03:54 AM
Kenneth Cole
Weichert Realtors Appleseed Group, 2043 Richmond Ave. S.I.N.Y. 10314. office phone 718-698-9797, Appleseedhomes.com... - Staten Island, NY
NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Good morning Chris;  I'm like Michael comment #11, wallet in front pocket.  Worked for me all my life.  As for shopping?  My wife takes care of that.

Nov 24, 2011 11:39 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Chris, it's really too bad that we need to keep a list of these precautions, but great idea to post them.

Nov 25, 2011 08:36 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

These are great tips to prevent becoming a victim Chris! I like a fanny pack for that reason...money is close and accessible and stored close to the body.

Nov 28, 2011 09:37 AM