As the Christmas shopping season winds down and last minute shoppers rush to finish their Christmas lists, the Mansfield Division of Police would like to take a moment to remind the public about shopping safety.
Personal Shopping Safety Reminders:
Be aware of your surroundings
Have your keys out before you approach your car
Only take items that you need, when shopping
Do not carry excessive amounts of cash and if possible, use credit/debit cards which can be easily cancelled
Carry a small purse and if only carrying a wallet, keep it in a front pocket where it is not as easily accessible as a rear jeans pocket
Stay focused and keep off the phone until it is safe to use without distractions
Avoid overloading yourself with packages so you have some freedom of motion
Lock packages in a trunk or place so they are no easily visible
Make sure to keep children close and do not allow them to wander
If shopping online, shop websites that you trust and avoid public Wi-Fi connections
Check website security prior to shopping (look for a “padlock” symbol
Use a credit card instead of a debit card, whenever possible
Do not “save” or store your credit card information online
Business/Retailer Reminders:
The United States Secret Service advised that there has been an alarming trend in counterfeit notes (fake monies) being passed in the United States. “Motion Picture” notes and notes with foreign writing have increased 12% in the last fiscal year. These notes can be easily recognized as fakes with just a quick glance as they often contain foreign writing and/or have the words “For Motion Picture Use Only” and often do not contain a watermark, optical varying ink, or fluorescing security strip (see attached counterfeit note examples below). If you come across any money you believe may be counterfeit, please contact your local law enforcement agency.