'Tis The Season Of Robbing, Stealing And Scamming

OAK LAWN, IL — ‘Tis the season of robbing, stealing and scamming. With the holiday season upon us, not all are sharing and giving. The holiday season often brings an uptick in package thefts, burglaries, robberies, internet scams and other types of fraud.

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The Oak Lawn Police Department encourages residents to be safe this holiday season and not land in the police blotter. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. While out and about be aware of your surroundings. Who is in front, behind and next to you? Also, be aware in shopping center and restaurant parking lots for possibly impaired drivers.

Police offer these tips to help you prevent package thefts:

• To help prevent package thefts;
• Have deliveries made on days someone will be home.
• Arrange for packages to delivered to a friend or a relative’s house that will be home.
• Have packages delivered to your workplace.
• Pick up delivered packages at the post office.

To prevent your vehicles and home from burglaries:

• Do not post vacations or periods of times that your home is unoccupied on social media.
• Invest in a video system and alarm.
• Lock your house and car doors
• Do not leave valuables or gifts in your vehicle
• Remember to bring your keys and fobs with you.
• Look out for your neighbors
• Report any suspicious people and/or vehicles in your neighborhood to the police. Do not hesitate as a few minutes can have a significant impact on a crime being prevented or a criminal being caught.

The internet is also full of scams and fraudulent activity seeking to access your bank accounts, retirement accounts and credit cards.

• If you receive a check in the mail offering you the opportunity to go on a shopping spree IT’S A SCAM!
• Do not deposit any checks that you are not expecting from people or businesses you do not know or do business with into any of your accounts.
• Do not purchase gift cards or deposit money into any accounts of any business or person that you do not know.
• If you receive a letter from what appears to be a legitimate company do not call the numbers on the letter to verify if it’s a scam. It is part of the scam. Save yourself the headache and throw it away. No legitimate business will ask you to deposit a large check and instruct you to then withdraw the money and send a portion back via gift cards and let you keep the rest!
• For those who chose to use Offer Up, Craigslist and Facebook market place to make purchases or sell items arrange to meet at the police department. Never go alone.