Belleville Cops Give Holiday Safety Tips: Don’t Get Ripped Off

BELLEVILLE, NJ — “If the deal seems to good to be true it usually is.” That’s just one of the many pieces of advice that the Belleville Police Department has for local residents as they prepare to celebrate a happy holiday season this winter.

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Last week, the BPD released several holiday safety tips that are also good pieces of advice to consider year-round. Here’s the message that officers posted on social media:

“With Thanksgiving coming to an end, Belleville police would like to offer some safety tips for the holiday season. While the Christmas shopping season begins tonight for some, for others it’s an opportunity to commit crimes. Shoppers should shop in groups if possible. While at the mall or other stores be mindful of your surroundings. Do not have your head buried in your cell phone especially while walking to your car. Park in areas that are illuminated well enough to see in all directions. If you feel like you are being followed don’t leave the store or mall. Be mindful of a common carjacking scheme; suspect vehicle bumps your vehicle from behind causing you to pull over and get out to inspect the damage, the thief jumps in your car and flees with all your belongings. If your vehicle is struck call 911 and pull into a business that is open or keep your car moving at a slow speed until an officer arrives. Lastly when your a block away from home call someone to meet you at the door, an extra set of eyes always helps. Finally trust your gut instinct if something doesn’t seem right it probably isn’t.”

Check out some of the BPD’s other holiday safety tips below.

• If the deal seems to good to be true it usually is.
• Look for websites that start “https://"
• Secure your email, do not click on links you receive via email they are often phishing scams. You can have a separate email just for shopping purposes.
• Do not use your debit card for online purchases. In most cases if you are a victim of a fraud and you used your credit card, you will not be responsible for the fraud. If you use your debit card and your bank account is cleaned out it is much harder to recoup your losses.
• Shop at online stores you are familiar with. This time of year bogus stores are created just to take your money and you never receive your product.
• Set up credit card alerts with your credit card company. (For example if a purchase is made over $50 you get a text or email notification)
• Make sure your online usernames and passwords are not the same for your email. Our personal email contains important information including password resets. Secure your email at any cost.
• Request tracking numbers for your purchases.
• Schedule deliveries when you're going to be home.
• Schedule deliveries to a family member or neighbor that is going to be home. Or send your packages to your work.
• If you have to schedule a delivery to your unoccupied home (not recommended) have a surveillance camera watching it. Ring doorbell or nest cameras are just a few that will give you notification that someone is on your property.

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