Immediate Release
December 16, 2011
Batavia, Ohio. The holiday shopping season can be a busy and stressful time. It is also a time when many people become vulnerable. The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office has some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of crime:
- Keep your purse with you at all times; don’t leave it in a shopping cart.
- Carry your wallet or cash in your front pocket.
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash; pay for purchases with checks or a credit card if possible.
- If you lose your credit card while shopping, notify the card issuer immediately to prevent unauthorized credit card use. Keep a list of credit card account information and contact numbers in a safe place at home to aid in contacting companies in case of theft.
- Some thieves may look in parking lots for packages left in vehicles. Place purchases in the trunk of your car or out of sight.
- If shopping at night, park in a well lit area.
- Keep your car locked at all times. When returning to your vehicle, have your keys ready to unlock the door and check the interior of the vehicle before opening.
- Minimize shopping at night or alone and be wary of strangers approaching you for any reason.
“Safety is also important in the home,” said Clermont Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Rick Combs. “Don’t make gifts easily visible through an outside window; that is an easy target for burglars. Also, don’t post information about being away from home or being out of town on social networking sites such as Facebook, or leave a voice mail/answering machine greeting indicating the same.” He suggests making your house look occupied, even when you are away, by putting lights on timers and having a neighbor pick-up the mail and put out trash cans.
After Christmas, Combs said citizens should break down packing boxes for TV’s and computers, before placing them out with the trash. “Burglars can get an idea of what items are in your house by the boxes left out with your trash,” he said.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@ clermontcountyohio.gov.