Black
Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the most anticipated shopping day of the
year. It is also one of the most
anticipated days of the year for thieves and predators.
AlertID™
helps you protect your family with Black Friday shopping safety tips developed
by The National Crime Prevention Council, and its symbol of safety, McGruff the
Crime Dog®.
If
you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you get separated. Select a
central meeting place and make sure they know they can ask mall personnel or
store security employees if they need help.
Use AlertID’s My Family Wallet™ to keep up-to-date photos and accurate
descriptions of each child electronically. Should they go missing, this
information can be sent quickly to law enforcement when every moment
counts. Also, use AlertID’s Secure
Social Network to create groups with family members so that you can quickly
send alerts to all of them at once if an issue arises.
Do
not buy more than you can carry. Have
your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around
the car before getting in, and do not leave packages visible in your car
windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.
Be
informed about your surroundings and plan ahead by taking a friend with you or
ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car. Use AlertID’s free mobile app to receive
alerts about registered sex offenders living and working in the vicinity of
your shopping venues.
Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as onetime or multi-use
disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction
sites. Wait until asked before taking
out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder
surf to get your account information.
Deter
pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat
or front trouser pocket.
Tell
a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The
same applies if you are using mass transit.
You can also take a picture with AlertID’s free mobile application to
report the incident to law enforcement.
“Shopping
on Black Friday is one of the most highly anticipated activities of the year
for many families,” said Keli Wilson, mom of three and founder of AlertID. “By
keeping these tips in mind, everyone can help ensure not only a fun shopping
experience, but also a safe one.”
To
sign up for a free account, or for more information, go to
www.AlertID.com. For more helpful safety
tips go to www.NCPC.org.
Thank you for the heads up as these tips can definitely help shoppers to be safe especially on high peak times like the Black Friday madness.
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