Simple Precautions To Protect Shoppers

Nov 25th, 2003

The "shopping season" has officially begun and you can take measures to protect yourself from falling prey to theft. By using some simple precautions robberies, purse snatchings, vehicle burglaries and identity thefts can be prevented.

First, do not leave purses inside the car and if the purse is kept in the trunk, place it there before you leave home. Be sure to place packages inside the trunk as well. Do not leave anything visible inside your car.

Second, shop with a group if possible. Take only what you need for the day's shopping such as, driver's license, check/credit card and one or two checks instead of the entire checkbook.

Third, never leave your check/credit card, checks or driver's license on the counter. Pull them out only to hand them to the cashier and once you've retrieved them, place them back into your pocket. Some identity thefts have occurred by someone simply memorizing information from these articles.

Always be aware of what is going on around you, i.e. people just standing around in the parking lot or people asking for money. Be sure to report any suspicious activity to the police. When leaving a store, walk out with other people.

The Mobile Police Department will also have officers patrolling shopping areas during the season.


Corporal Marcus Young
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (251) 208-1715
Pager: (251) 582-5644
Fax: (251) 208-1904