As we are now in the holiday shopping season, consumers will be scurrying from store to store or surfing the web for the perfect gifts. During this time of year, it’s more important than ever for consumers to take steps to guard against theft. To help, AAA is offering the following tips.
Larceny-Theft
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Unified Crime Reporting Program, more than 253,000 larceny-thefts occurred in Ohio during 2011. Nearly 25 percent of these thefts occurred from motor vehicles. Shopping bags and packages left in vehicles present an open invitation to thieves during the holidays.
When shopping this holiday season, AAA Insurance encourages consumers to stay vigilant and take the following steps to prevent theft:
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight: Lock holiday gifts and other valuables in your trunk. At home, close curtains and blinds when leaving.
- Park under a light: This will help deter thieves and will also help you check to make sure nobody is lurking in or near your vehicle.
- Avoid idle time in parking lot: Lock your car and drive away as soon as possible.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash: Pay for purchases with a credit card or prepaid money card.
- Keep a record of all credit card numbers in a safe place at home: Cancel stolen cards immediately.
- Stay alert: It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday excitement, but it’s important to be aware of your surroundings at all times to avoid becoming a target for thieves.
If theft does occur a homeowners or renters insurance policy can help replace what’s lost. Most standard homeowners and renters policies ensure the same personal property coverage away from home as they do at home. Policyholders must present receipts or some proof of stolen items to receive reimbursement.
Online Shopping and Identity Theft
Holiday shoppers also face the threat of identity theft; especially those who shop online. The popularity of online shopping has grown over the past few years. 2011’s Cyber Monday was the busiest online shopping day in history.
The following tips can help consumers avoid identity theft online:
- Use strong passwords: Make sure passwords contain both letters and numbers. Don’t use the same password for everything and change your passwords often.
- Never give out personal information via email: This is not secure and could be a scam. If you receive an email thanking you for a purchase you did not make, don’t click the link.
- Ensure you’re shopping on secure & certified sites: Look for “https://” in the URL and certification logos in the shopping cart. Examples of certification logos include “VeriSign Trusted” or “PayPal Verified.”
- Make sure your computer is protected: Up-to-date firewall, anti-spyware and anti-virus programs can help protect your computer from hackers and you from identity theft.
- Monitor your accounts: Check transactions frequently for accuracy. Call your bank or credit card company immediately if you detect any suspicious activity.
- Ditch the credit card: Instead of a credit card opt for a pre-paid reloadable card, such as the AAA Visa TravelMoney® Card. This card isn’t linked to you or your bank account.
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies do offer limited coverage for stolen money or credit cards. Some homeowners or renters insurance policies now include coverage for identity theft. Consumers should check with their insurance agent regarding their policy.
AAA clubs can be visited online at www.AAA.com.
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