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For some, late November is all about Thanksgiving. However, many begin celebrating the Christmas season as soon as the turkey is finished with Black Friday Shopping. With both online and in-store deals attracting many Americans, also comes an increase in scammers and other safety concerns consumers should be aware of.   

Stewart Smith, the Public Information Officer with the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, goes over some ways to stay safe this holiday season. 

Cyber and Financial Security

Many shoppers will take advantage of online shopping for the retail holidays. This includes both Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. 

“Especially on the cyber end of things, I would stick with known online entities that people regularly use…That you’re familiar with,” Smith said.

Use only trusted platforms for online purchases. Smith added that those looking for resale items, like Facebook Marketplace or yard sales, should be sure they can confirm the identity of the person they buy from. 

“Be very careful with your credit card and debit cards. Don’t give that information out to anybody that you don’t know 100 percent who they are or who the company is,” he warned. 

Smith added, “Just keep a watch, especially this time of year, on your credit card activity, your bank activity, just make sure there’s no suspicious activity on there.”

In-Store Safety

Smith said the Black Friday shopping frenzy in the area has died down over the years. 

“I think it’s turned into more like a weekend deal,” Smith said. “But just be aware of your surroundings. Go with other people if you can.” 

Due to the many deals during the period following Thanksgiving, many will purchase the big-budget items then. Smith recommends not carrying large amounts of cash on you and making sure credit and debit card numbers are kept private while shopping. 

Carrying cumbersome items out of stores can make someone a target for theft. 

“Don’t carry too many packages that you can’t handle safely,” Smith said. 

Once the items are in the car, be sure to put them in the back seat or truck to hide them from view. This can minimize the risk of cars being broken into. 

Shipping to Home

In the run-up to Christmas porches and doorways will see an accumulation of packages. Smith had tips to protect your deliveries and homes. 

“See if there’s a way that you can set up a notification that the package arrived,” he suggested. “If you’re going to be out of town and you’re expecting a package arrival, put a delay on those arrivals.”

If you are unable to delay a package, the PIO recommends asking a trusted friend or neighbor to check for mail and packages. Homes with lots of packages outside and mail-in boxes are targets for break-ins.