Seven Tips for Safe Mall Holiday Shopping

Holiday mall shopping can be an enjoyable experience. It can however, quickly turn into a nightmare. A person can have their credit information stolen without their notice, or can even be robbed by force. Here are some tips you can use for mall-wise Christmas Shopping.

Rule #1 for Mall-Wise Christmas Shopping: Guard your Money.

Leave the oversized purse at home and put the cards and cash you need in a wallet close to your body, preferably under a Jacket or sweater. Having to reach under your sweater to get to the wallet in your breast pocket will eliminate pick pocketing.

Rule #2 for Mall-Wise Christmas Shopping: Guard your PIN number.

Stand between the next person in line and the debit card machine when entering your pin number. Do not worry about being rude, it is impolite to stand in view of a person’s personal banking information.

Rule #3 for Mall-Wise Christmas Shopping: Guard your Purchases.

The bait and switch trick is popular during the holidays where someone will switch worthless bag for yours when you are not looking. Do not look away. Keep and eye or a hand on your bag at all times.

Rule #4 for Mall-Wise Christmas Shopping: Keep it light.

Do not try to carry a ridiculous number of bags around. After collecting three or so bags, take them to your car, which of course, should be locked securely. This way you can shop in comfort and have less of a chance of losing your purchases to criminals.

Rule #5 for Mall-Wise Christmas Shopping: Be aware of your surroundings.

More so than protecting your valuables, you should also protect your person. Do not walk in abandoned parking lots or halls alone. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, find mall security and ask for an escort. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Make loud noises and act as if your are insane if you have to. Do whatever you must to draw attention to yourself.

Rule #6 for Mall-Wise Christmas Shopping: Monitor your children.