Last holiday season while shopping alone at the Natick Collection it appeared someone was scouting me for a possible crime in the parking lot. I was on my way to my car, carrying too many packages, when I noticed the creep following me; sketchy looking character.
When I was approaching the exit he was about 8 feet behind me. At the last second my instincts told me not to exit. This exit was in the bra department so I became extremely interested in bras. Well, he never exited the building – he was 10 feet from exit, heading towards the exit and also decided to turn around. Hmmm. He stalked me for several more minutes. My instincts directed me back into the mall where I enjoyed a cup of coffee and additional shopping. I’m convinced I avoided being packaged snatched that day.
The Grafton Chief of Police runs a column in The Grafton Villager. He recently offered the following safety tips provided by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) to help citizens shop safely.
- Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
- If you see any sort of mob behavior beginning to occur, withdraw and leave the area. It’s not worth getting trampled, hurt or even killed just to get a deal on something.
- Make sure you have a cell phone with you in case you need to call the police in the event of a Black Friday emergency situation.
- Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit. Report anything suspicious.
- If you are shopping with children, make a plan in case you get separated. Select a central meeting place and make sure they know they can ask clearly identifiable mall personnel or store security employees if they need help.
- Shop online with companies you know and trust. Check a company’s background if you are not familiar with it.
- Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Save all receipts. Print and save all confirmations from your online purchases. Start a file folder to keep all receipts together and to help you verify credit card or bank statements as they come in.
- Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise, such as one time or multiuse disposable credit cards or money orders, at online stores and auction sites.
- Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
- Deter pickpockets. Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
- Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
- Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.
UPTON DAILY 