Naval Safety Center offers shopping safety tips Published Dec. 4, 2009 By April Phillips Naval Safety Center Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Naval Safety Center offers tips to help shoppers avoid becoming victims of theft this holiday season. Experts at the Naval Safety Center said this is the prime season for pickpockets and thieves. "So many people are walking around with blinders on this time of year, assuming everyone has good intentions," said John Williams, an off-duty recreation specialist at the Naval Safety Center. "The current economic situation is making the bad guys bolder." Williams said it is not difficult to avoid - it just requires situational awareness and some common sense practices. One of the most important things a holiday shopper can do is park in well-lit, high-traffic areas. There are also other precautions you can take. "If you have a lot of packages, or feel nervous for any reason, ask a mall security guard to walk you to your vehicle," Williams said. "That's what they're there for." Many shoppers go from store to store while they're out searching for gifts, and many just toss their purchases in the back seat of the car before they head to the next stop. Williams said this is an invitation for thieves. "We've seen a lot of break-ins, and it's because the thieves were plainly able to see expensive items such as electronics or clothing inside the car," he said. He recommends putting all packages in the trunk where they're out of sight. Statistics show that more shoppers are using cash to purchase gifts this year than in year's past. Some thieves are taking advantage of this with phony ATM machines. Williams said stand-alone ATM machines can be rigged to steal cards and personal identification numbers. Thieves are then able to use the card and the pin to take money out of legitimate cash machines. "Check the slot for signs of tampering and look for cameras where they shouldn't be," he said. "The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings and remember that if something doesn't look right, it probably isn't." Many high-tech shoppers may think they are safe from theft because they do most of their shopping online, but that's not always the case. "Make sure your computer has good virus protection software and only shop from notable Web sites that encrypt your information," he suggested. Williams said the smart shopper can usually stay a few steps ahead of the bad guys. For more news from Naval Safety Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsc/.