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Shopping Safety Guide for the Holidays

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties TX Real Est. 567774

Shopping Safety Guide for the Holidays

This Holiday season most of us will be running numerous errands involving shopping of one sort or another here in Katy and all across the US. It is extremely easy to get way too comfortable. Pay attention to your own instincts and to use basic common sense. As we all too well know it is a dangerous world ( getting more dangerous by the minute) all around us and we all need to pay attention to our surrounding and try to make sure all of us and our families stay out of harm's way.

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( Images courtesy of Free to modify, share and use Bing pictures)

 

Here is a concise guide to shopping safety tips:

 

* Save all your receipts and put these into an envelope or box or some container so finding a specific receipt is not an issue. Don’t purge until after the bills are paid and then wait 30 days.

 

* Wait until it is time to pay at any establishment before pulling out wallet, checkbook or credit card. Make sure you get your credit card back from the store clerk. I advise not to pay with a check as it is too easy to create a phony check.

 

* Put your wallet inside a coat or front pockets of pants and carry purses close to your body. Don’t leave wallet or purse unattended for any length of time and never leave on a store counter top. Take only necessary credit cards with you and make a copy of all indicative data before leaving home.

 

*Pay attention to your own instincts and watch what is happening in front or behind you and even while you are driving. Drive in a mind zone of safety.

 

* Buy things that can be carried by you to your vehicle without any issues. If your purchases are too difficult for you to carry ask for assistance from the vendor and have security assist you.

 

* Have keys in your hands when approaching your car. Check your back seat, under car and all around before getting inside. There are people who hide under cars. Upon entering your vehicle lock doors immediately and start the car quickly.

 

* Make sure electronic door key has a fresh battery and actually works.

 

* Stay away from supposed bargains from unknown entities or areas. There are no such thing as a deal too good to be true.

 

* Many folks will not agree with me but do not use a debit card to pay for goods unless there is a discount offered and pin number can be entered in privacy. Debit cards are easy to hack.

 

* Immediately tell a security guard or store employee if you find an any unattended package.

 

* Only use secure websites for online purchases.

 

* Tell children of all ages that they can ask Mall Employees or Store Personnel for help if needed.

 

* One item many folks do not pay attention any time of the year is to not leave packages in the back seat or cargo area of vehicles where they can be seen. Put stuff in the trunk or cover it. Thieves walk the parking lots looking for packages in back seats or in the bed of a truck. We even have teenage thieves stealing from cars in Grand Lakes at night.

 

* Don’t respond to Emails asking for passwords or telling you to click on a specific link they provide. I have received numerous Emails telling me my MSN Email account will be closed if I do not respond right away by clicking on their provided link! There have been several others using all kinds of nonsense to get you to click on their link.

 

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* Try to shop at or with companies you trust and know are legitimate. Watch out  for companies who show up uninvited on your Facebook page.

 

* When leaving any shopping area be aware if someone is following you. If someone is following you do not lead them to your home but go to a local police department office.

 

* Always carry a  charged cell phone with you in case of any emergency. having the ability to charge from your car is a big plus.

 

* If shopping at night ask mall or store security guards to escort you to your vehicle as you never know what could happen.

 

* If children accompany the shopping trip and are old enough to go alone have a central public meeting place and time set in advance. Make sure they bring their charged cell phone and promise to answer if you call. .

 

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Shopping Safety Guide for the Holidays

 

 

Posted by

© 2016 Bob Gilbert Real Estate

 

Accredited Luxury Home Specialist

 

Note: Katy TX is about 25 -30 miles due West of downtown Houston TX.

 

If you have any questions about Katy Homes for Sale or Katy Homes for Rent in the Katy Texas and/or Sugar Land TX, and/or Cypress TX and/or other surrounding areas, contact me via my cell: 281-904-6772 or via Email:

 

 

 bobgilbert2003@msn.com or bob@bobgilbert.com

or visit me on my web site at

 

http://www.katyhomefinder.com

or visit me on Google plus

and FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/bobgilberttx

 

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Comments (19)

Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Great post safety is a major concern for everyone I am going to have my Daughter read your post it will do her good to see that I am not the only one concerned about safety. Thanks for sharing I hope you have a great afternoon.

Dec 08, 2015 03:53 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Excellent post on safety tips while shopping for the holidays.....or any time for that matter.

Dec 08, 2015 04:13 AM
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Great tips.  Also don't put your packages in your car and then leave your car for another store.  Thieves look for that.

Dec 08, 2015 04:29 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Great suggestions and tips Bob.  Today, I parked near the Apple Store, my Mac needed a check up, and the gate reminded us to lock our car...Holiday Greeting and warning in one.  A

Dec 08, 2015 05:33 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is very good advice for all of us. Personal safety should always be a priority concern.

Dec 08, 2015 05:52 AM
Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School
Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL
Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

after swearing I'd never go, I got roped into shopping this black Friday. It wasn't so bad, but we did only go to a few low traffic stores, nothing like Wal Mart. I don't know I'll ever go again. But I do know few people that practice safety when they shop, and a few ladies that carry. I only hope no one ever messes with them...

Dec 08, 2015 07:03 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Bob,

 Great blog and oh so timely, I am glad most of my stuff will be done on line or has already been purchased!

Dec 08, 2015 07:03 AM
Potranco Realty
Potranco Realty - San Antonio, TX
"Sold with Potranco Realty"

Hey Bob great advice, using common sense is something we forget when shopping during the Christmas Holidays and you have outlined some great safety tips.

Dec 08, 2015 08:42 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Robert (Bob) Gilbert These are great list of shopping safety tips for the Holidays.

Dec 08, 2015 09:42 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Bob

We all should be aware of our surrounding.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Dec 08, 2015 09:44 AM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Bob, great safety tips for the holidays, we must always be alert and aware of our surroundings.

Dec 08, 2015 10:31 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Thank you, Bob. This is great advice. We so often get wrapped up in what we are doing that we don't think about what might happen. 

Dec 08, 2015 12:15 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Bob your point is well taken and I bet Amazon is reaping the benefit of this world we are living in, Endre

Dec 08, 2015 03:41 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Thanks Bob.  This is an excellent list that will hopefully be widely read and followed.

Dec 08, 2015 07:50 PM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Thank all for your commentings and stopping by. I think my friend Endre Barath, Jr. makes an excellent point about Amazon. These safety tips do pertain to all year round. 

Dec 09, 2015 03:21 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Bob, the world has definitely changed over the years, and especially this time of year you have to be very alert of those around you to keep safe!

Dec 09, 2015 10:27 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Bob we all need to be more vilgilant and keep our eyes and ears open during the holiday season and beyond.  Lately I've see far too many little ones in stores alone as the parents are shopping but not paying attention to the child.  Keep track of your kids at all times - all year long!

Dec 10, 2015 03:59 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Robert, Thank you for sharing the great tips. I hope consumers will read this post.

Dec 17, 2015 08:03 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Bob...a terrific list... you can never be too careful, in general these days, but during the holiday month, it's even more important to be extra vigilant. It's a sad commentary on our society that we have to think this way during what should be a happy season, but there you have it! 

Dec 17, 2015 10:24 PM