With Thanksgiving comes the unofficial start of our holiday shopping season, and the stores and malls will be at their busiest until after Christmas ends. Unfortunately, it’s also a time of year when crooks and thieves look for more opportunities to prey on law-abiding citizens, so here are some tips to stay safe and aware of your surroundings during your shopping expeditions.
In the parking lot:
- Always try to park in a well-lit area with clear visibility.
- Never leave any gifts or expensive products in plain sight in your vehicle.
- When leaving the store and walking to your car, glance around to make sure you’re not being followed. If someone seems suspicious, go back into the store and speak to an employee and/or take a different route to your vehicle.
- Before getting in your car, look around it and the immediate area to make sure you are alone.
- Go shopping with at least one other person, such as a friend or relative, whenever possible.
While you’re shopping:
- It’s recommended for men to carry their wallets in a front pocket rather than rear pocket, and for women to carry their pocketbooks closed and across their chests.
- Never leave your shopping cart unattended to use a restroom or fitting room if it contains products you’ve already purchased; purchased merchandise from another store should be brought with you.
- Never openly display or “flaunt” your cash, and if you pay with a card, make sure no one can see your PIN number.
If you shop with children with you:
- This goes without saying: never leave your children unattended or out of your sight in a store!
- If you’re shopping with children, it’s extremely helpful to have another parent or other adult with you to take turns watching them.
- Some stores have a “lost child program” in which employees can cover all exits if a lost child is reported.
- Always keep your children close and don’t let them go down an aisle or into a department by themselves.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of crime due to premises liability (such as inadequate security) or negligence, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
