Shopping during the holidays should be a fun festive experience. You should not have to be looking over your shoulder every minute to see if someone is trying to steal your wallet or snatch your purse. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people out there that like to use the holiday season’s cheerfulness to take advantage of people. No, you don’t need to be paranoid all the time, but it is a good idea to be on your guard when you are out in public.
The biggest thing you can do to prevent pick pockets from stealing from you is to not carry anything in your pockets. But we all know that is impossible if you are trying to make purchases. If you carry a wallet, make sure you know where it is at all times. Putting a thick rubber band around it will not only make it harder for pick pockets to open, but it will also be harder for them to get it out of your pocket in the first place. Keep only minimal amounts of money in your wallet. If you have to carry a lot of money, spread it out between all your pockets. That way the chance that a would-be thief could get all your money is lowered.
If you carry a purse, try to make sure it has a zipper and/or a flap that can be latched. Keeping the flap close to your body is a good prevention tip. Don’t leave your purse anywhere that could result in it being stolen. Grocery carts, bathroom stalls, the back of your chair in a restaurant… all places that are easy pickins’ for criminals.
Keep your valuables safe when you are out shopping this season. And make sure your personal property insurance is up to date for those times when you get home and realize you have less in your pockets than you should.
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