During the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, there’s a piece of advice that bears repeating every year: Lock it or lose it. That comes from Timmins Police communications coordinator Marc Depatie: “A locked vehicle is a secure vehicle.”
And in that locked vehicle, make sure your purchases are out of sight of a would-be thief. The same goes for wallets, purses and electronics – if you have to leave them in the car.
“It’s just something to keep in mind as you’re shopping that other people might be mindful of your activity at the same time,” Depatie points out.
He says small business owners should also be reminded not to leave cash in their stores after closing, and make sure things like laptops are stored out of sight.
ADVICE ON USING PLASTIC PAYMENT METHODS
This second Christmas of the pandemic, you’re likely paying for all the gifts you buy with a debit or credit card.
Depatie is recommending you get the tap function disabled. That way, if you drop your card, it can’t be used by whoever picks it up.
“We just want the public to be mindful of the fact that there are persons who are willing to take advantage of any circumstance,” he states. “So having a more guarded approach sometimes pays dividends in terms of your personal safety and protecting your own personal goods.”
Depatie also reminds you to protect your purchases. Regardless of financial value, they obviously have emotional value. So don’t leave them in an unlocked car or in plain sight, locked or not.