12/08/2023
This is a story I reported while at WZEP and in the daily newsletter a few years back. Needs updating such as adding other social media and noting the Office of the City Marshal, DeFuniak Springs Police offers an exchange place at their office that include cameras with the 911 dispatchers watching. However the story provides some great information from local law enforcement. Always appreciated the great help from the Walton County Sheriff's Office, Florida.
Shopping Safe Tips
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office reminds us to use caution when shopping this year. Whether you shop online, at the stores or go to Hometown Christmas, remember there could be criminals looking to take advantage of you. Law enforcement reminds us that the criminals also need Christmas gifts.
Here are a few online shopping tips. Although many people still do the traditional shopping in stores, many are now turning to online shopping so they don’t have to fight the crowds:
Make sure that the company has a physical address and telephone number. When shopping online, some websites offer electronics or luxury goods at prices that are too good to be true. Every holiday season, holiday shoppers talk about how they paid for a "great deal" online, but received little or nothing in return.
If you shop Craigslist or other free bulletin board sites, look for local sellers and conduct transactions in person. Bring a friend if you're uncomfortable meeting the seller alone. Never wire money as payment. If you're shopping on auctions like EBay, look at seller ratings and read their reviews. Don't buy if the deal sounds too good to be true.
Don't click on any links or open any attachments to emails until you have confirmed that they are not malicious. Phishing emails are a common way for hackers to get at your personal information or break into your computer. Around the holidays, beware of e-cards and messages pretending to be from companies like UPS or FedEx with links to package tracking information. Email addresses that don't match up, typos and grammatical mistakes are common red flags of a malicious phishing email. Also beware of unsolicited emails from companies with which you have no association. Make sure you have current antivirus software and that all security patches have been installed on the computer.
While hometown Christmas provides a safe place with a number of people and friendly merchants showing off their handmade items, the parking lot can still be a problem if you give them a chance. A reminder for those who are out and about shopping:
Don't let yourself get bogged down in purchases or lose track of your wallet. While you're struggling with bags of presents, identity thieves may see an opportunity to steal your wallet or look over your shoulder to copy your debit or credit card numbers. Know where your credit and debit cards are at all times and cover the keypad when entering your PIN while purchasing items or getting money from an ATM. Make sure you put your card back in your wallet after each purchase.
When storing gifts in your car, make sure you keep it covered or lock it in the trunk. And that word lock is very important, do not give the would be thieves a chance to easily get into your vehicle. Lock your doors.
And one of the best tools law enforcement has is you. Keep your eyes open! If neighbors are out of town, make sure you watch their house and report any suspicious activity. Remember, the police can always ask someone who does not look like they belong in your neighborhood why they are there. If they have a good reason, then there is no problem. In the past, several local robberies could have been prevented if the witness would have simply call and reported what was out of place.
