The holiday season is a time to celebrate with friends and family, but holidays can present increased risks, especially if you are on a quest for gifts. Overcrowded stores and an increase in online shopping offer greater opportunities for thieves to target your valuables. Avoid these holiday risks with a few helpful tips to keep your holidays merry.
Here are three tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season:
1. Watch Out for Thieves:
As more consumers turn to the web to make their holiday purchases, packages dropped off on front porches provide thieves with more opportunity to intercept home deliveries. When making a purchase online, take advantage of electronic delivery alerts, tracking, and other protections to make sure your gifts are safely received. It may also be helpful to instruct delivery drivers to drop-off packages in a safe location at a specific time. If you cannot guarantee someone will be home, opt to pick up any delivered items yourself from the nearest facility.
2. Beware of Parking Lot Pilfering:
While you are shopping for friends and family, be careful if you decide to drop off items mid-shopping trip. Purchases stored in your car may catch the attention of thieves roaming the parking lot in search of unlocked vehicles. To help protect your car (and everything inside) from burglars during the holidays, shoppers should remember to always lock their doors, roll up their windows, park in well-lit areas and hide valuables from plain view. Also be aware of your surroundings in stores and malls and never leave bags unattended.
3. Protect Your Identity, Both Online and in Stores:
Before you go shopping, think about how much information a thief would get if your wallet or purse was stolen. Taking steps to protect your personal information, particularly during the holiday season, is key to preventing identity theft. The increase of consumers in stores can make it easy for thieves to steal your information in the chaos. Carry only those credit cards you need and avoid carrying Social Security cards, birth certificates or passports unless absolutely necessary. When shopping online, be sure to only use secure websites and log off after you have completed your purchase. Monitor your bank accounts and credit card activity regularly throughout the holidays.
For more ways to protect yourself from holiday risks, just call us at 724-929-2300. We have plans to cover your home from holiday mishaps, your car from chaotic weather and policies to protect any expensive new gifts! Our friendly staff will tailor a policy to fit your specific needs and you’ll save time and money when we compare for you! Happy shopping from CSC Insurance!