Are You A Professional Victim?

Dec 14 2018, 8:48 am

THE PROFESSIONAL HOLIDAY VICTIM CHECK LIST.

You may be a professional victim if you:

Leave your car unlocked.

Carry every credit card known to man when you shop.   

At night park in an unlit area of the mall and walk to your car by yourself.

Walk to your car with ear buds in and music blaring.

Leave packages in your car where they can be seen.

Put packages in the trunk and don’t lock the car.   

Leave your purse and keys in an unlocked car. Even if it’s in your driveway.

Leave your home unlocked at any time.               

Leave your garage door open and the access door to you home unlocked.

Use your credit card on an unsecured web site.

Things you can do to protect yourself.

Carry only the CC you intend to use.  

Check your CC statement frequently.

Before using your debit card examine the card slider. Make sure a ‘skimmer’ has not been added. A skimmer is a device thieves place on the slider, most often at gas pumps and ATM machines. It captures ALL your info including the pin number. Within minutes thieves can make a new card, go to an ATM and make a withdrawal. 

Also when using the card any place, pharmacy, grocery, what have you, look around. See anyone close with a phone? They could be videoing you as you enter the pin number. They have a picture of the card and what keys you push. Harder and less frequent but it does happen.  If you feel uncomfortable hit credit instead of debit.      

Carry a purse with zipable compartments and zip them.

Use a purse that has a long strap and put it over your arm and head.  

If someone, man, woman or child, bumps into you immediately check your purse.

Don’t leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart.  If you must put your purse in the cart, loop the child safety strap through the handles.  Close it up. Makes it harder to grab and run. Don’t ever walk away from it.

Carry your keys in your pocket. If you purse is snatched they won’t be able to drive away in your car and be in and out of your house before you get there.

Don’t be afraid to ask store security to walk you to your car. Don’t ask them to help carry your packages.

Be alert and if you feel uneasy, there is a reason.  Listen to your inner warning system. Don’t hesitate to call Law Enforcement for help. 

IRS and Social Security will NOT call you about a problem. They will send an official letter. NEVER give any info out over the phone. IRS will never ask you to pay a supposed debt with gift card.

Be safe out there. This holiday season don’t drink and drive and please take care of your personal and financial safety.

Rita