Holiday Safety Tips for Shoppers

We’re in the thick of it now. It’s the United States’ favorite shopping season, that weeks-long stretch between Black Friday and New Year’s Eve. Though this holiday season might look a little different after such a turbulent year, nothing can completely stop a buyer’s need to get out and purchase a few gifts for their friends and family.

Of course, even if you’re only going out to buy one gift, it’s important to stay safe while doing so. Here are some safety tips for holiday shopping in Fort Myers, FL.

Beware of online payment portals

With the novel coronavirus pandemic ongoing, the smartest decision you can make is to do the majority of your shopping online this holiday season. Of course, just because you’re safe from COVID-19 in your home doesn’t mean your money is also secure.

Before you enter your credit or debit card information in an online store’s payment portal, make sure it’s secure. You should also consider setting up a username on a secure payment platform like PayPal, Apple Pay or something similar.

Watch your volume

When you’re out and about, the temptation to buy as much as your arms will hold can be pretty high. If you’re going to be carrying packages to your car over a long distance (even just to the far end of the parking lot), you should consider scaling back on your purchases, inviting a friend to help with the heavy lifting or asking an employee or security guard to escort you to your car. The last thing you want is for your holiday presents to get taken while you’re trying to get them to your vehicle.

Wait to be asked for payment

When you get to the counter and hand over the items you’re going to buy, you obviously know what’s coming next: you’ll be asked to pay. Rather than pulling out your card in anticipation of the purchase, keep your wallet closed until prompted by the clerk. Having your credit or debit card information exposed on the countertop is a great way for enterprising thieves to get your financial information.

Have your car keys at the ready

If you’re walking toward your car with an armload of packages, make sure to have your car keys out and ready to go. This holiday shopping safety tip in Fort Myers, FL can help you make the transition into your vehicle much more rapidly. You should also be sure to lock your doors once you’ve gotten into your car.

If you’re going to be heading to your vehicle in an environment that makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to ask for help. An employee or security professionals should be able to take the time to escort you to your vehicle. You’re not being a nuisance—you’re being reasonably cautious.

Get more tips

Want to get more safety tips for holiday shopping in Fort Myers, FL? American Pride Security Services, Inc. is standing by to help! We can turn your business into the ideal place for shoppers to peruse your goods in safety. That’s our promise to you. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you this holiday season.

Categorised in: Security Guard Services

This post was written by Writer