Protect Yourself This Holiday Season

Unfortunately, while some of us are celebrating the holidays, others are taking advantage of numerous opportunities to commit crimes. Whether stealing gifts or your identity, criminals know lots of ways to ruin your Christmas.

Unfortunately, while some of us are celebrating the holidays, others are taking advantage of numerous opportunities to commit crimes. Whether stealing gifts or your identity, criminals know lots of ways to ruin your Christmas.

Secure your home and cars. Burglaries from homes and autos increase during the holidays. Let’s help ourselves instead of the criminals. Many Americans say they have left a door open for a friend or family member. Even more have a key to their home or auto hidden somewhere. Both of these actions help criminals get access to your possessions. Even if you have an alarm system, chances are, they can get away with a lot of your belongings before the police arrive. Lock your doors and windows, not just when you leave the house but even when you go to bed.

Hide the gifts. We like to have our Christmas tree in front of a window so it can be seen from outside. Unfortunately, that means the gifts can be seen as well. Consider moving the tree or keeping the gifts hidden until Christmas Eve.

Online savvy

Wait until you get back home to post those photos. Everyone likes to share holiday plans and photos, but there’s no need to let the criminals know you are away from home.

Watch out for those emails. There are so many scams during the holidays. If you are going to shop on line, go directly to the store’s website rather than through a link you receive by email. Look for the padlock icon in the URL address.

Use a credit card for online purchases. They offer you more protection than a debit card. You can dispute a credit card charge but once money is gone from your bank account, it’s gone. Check your credit card statements to make sure all of the charges are for purchases you have made.

Instead of having packages delivered to your home, have them sent to your place of business or the house of a friend who will be home.

Safer shopping

  • Pay attention. Don’t talk or text on your phone while you are walking to your car.
  • Have your keys out before you get to the car.
  • Check the surrounding area and your back seat before you open the car door.
  • Put packages in the trunk.

We all want to enjoy the holidays. Please take care to protect yourself and your valuables.

Unfortunately, no matter how careful we are, sometimes a burglary does occur. Call your agent before you have a claim to make sure you are covered properly.

The Agent Insurance Services

 

330-758-3339

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