Tips for Safer Holiday Shopping

Refuse To Be A Victim®, the nation's premiere safety program for men and women, operates on the premise that the most important step to ensuring your personal safety is making the decision to refuse to be a victim. That means having an overall personal safety strategy in place before you need it.

Through a three to four hour seminar, Refuse To Be A Victim® participants learn the personal safety tips and techniques needed to avoid dangerous situations and avoid becoming a victim.

Just in time for the madness of holiday shopping, the Refuse To Be A Victim® staff has gathered a list of tips for safer holiday shopping:

• Shop with a friend, and shop during busy hours. If you must travel alone, let someone know your schedule. Carry a charged cell phone with you.



• Keep your car keys easily accessible, or in your hands, to and from the parking lot. If you have a panic or alarm button on your keypad, keep your finger near the button. Lock your door immediately after entering your car.



• Park in an open, well-lit area. Ask a mall security guard to escort you to your car. Be aware that a criminal may be following you back to your car, so be especially vigilant in parking lots. Walk with confidence and strength.



• Be aware of your surroundings. Criminals look for an easy victim who is preoccupied or easily distracted. Take time to scan your surroundings and make quick eye contact with people you see.



• Carry only one credit card. Make a copy of all of your ID and credit information and keep it in a safe place at home. Don’t flash your cash.



• Dress comfortably, and wear shoes that allow you to move quickly.



• Keep your arms free. Carrying a lot of packages, a large purse, or other items makes you a target.



• Trust your instincts. Be vocal. Yell and catch people’s attention if you think someone may be up to no good. Be specific. Yell in your loudest voice, “Back off!” “Go away!” or “Leave me alone!” It’s better to make a scene — even if you are wrong — than to be a victim.



• Don’t reveal personal information about your holiday plans or travel schedule in public. If you are talking over a cell phone, for example, be aware that others are listening.



• Protect your identity and your credit information. Verify the security of online sites you visit. Don’t reveal personal information over the phone or in public. Holiday scams may include telemarketing ploys, fake charities, and prize drawings, and other means of identity theft. For example, no one needs your Social Security information.

Look for a Refuse to Be a Victim® seminar near you to learn the comprehensive program.